Abstract: A method of treating a crop kernel prior to milling to improve millability, which includes the step of exposing the crop kernel to one or more plant hormones is provided. Typically, the crap kernel is a cereal such as wheat. The plant hormone is selected from the group consisting of auxins, gibberellins and abscisic acid. The method further includes the step of exposing the crop kernel to an enzyme. Typically the enzyme is a plant cell-wall degrading enzyme such as xylanase, lipase and cellulase. Also provided are methods of production of flour, food products and compositions. A particular application of this method is the optimisation of milling performance for the production of high quality flour.