The problem
All parties involved in producing, selling or purchasing grain need to know and agree on the properties of the grain being traded. If this is not so then it can and does lead to rejection, deductions and even disputes. It was estimated that the costs associated with rejections, deductions and additional haulage are in the order of £2.5m per annum.
To achieve agreement it is essential to ensure that grain is sampled effectively and then tested by proficient laboratories working to a high standard.
HGCA managed a 2 year programme of activities with two main objectives:
- Develop effective and robust methods for sampling cereals at all points in the grain chain.
- Standardise and improve grain analysis (testing) in all UK grain testing laboratories.
To establish new sampling protocols, four projects were undertaken, which found that:
- Sampling ex-trailer from the field is necessary to determine moisture and hence drying requirements
- Sampling grain into store gives a better prediction of quality than sampling in store after harvest
- Each trailer should be sampled and composites made of similar grain for analysis
- Once in store and dry, grain properties are stable
- Sampling at out-loading (each bucketful that is put into a lorry) is a better predictor of grain properties than in-store sampling
- On delivery lorries need to be sampled in as many places as possible (ideally 8) to give a good prediction of mean quality
- Composite samples (both on-farm or ex-lorry) must be thoroughly mixed before sub-sampling to produce the 'analytical' sample.
Sampling guides
On-line guides to the sampling protocols are available.
Grain sampling from field to buyer - understanding variation  (1299kb) - covers all aspects of grain sampling and explains the variability of bulk grain and the need and approaches to minimise the effects though effective sampling
Grain sampling - a farmers guide (5976kb) - covers on-farm sampling.
A CD version can be obtained from publications@hgca.com
Sampling project reports
A national grain sampling and analysis system for improved food marketing and safety (PR 349)
Development and validation of on-farm sampling protocols for collection of marketing (quality) samples at harvest (PR 301)
Developing and validating on-farm sampling protocols: sampling in store and during out-loading (PR 325)
Grain sampling and assessment: Sampling grain in lorries (PR 339)
Grain sampling methods to achieve consumer confidence and food safety (RR 50)
Grain testing standard
Grain testing throughout the UK grain chain has been standardised so that all concerned will be operating to the same high standard. This will lead to improved agreement between laboratories when testing the same sample.
Grain testing - standards for testing (169kb)
Training
A combination of training CDs and information sheets, to help with the visual inspection of grains, will provide all grain analysts with a full set of supportive material that will help them achieve and maintain high standards of testing.
'Wheat grain analyst training' and 'Barley grain analyst training' are two CDs available from publications@hgca.com.
Inspecting grain for defects and impurities - information sheets
Inspecting grain for defects and impurities - Poster
Improved sampling and testing can be complemented by a grain store management software tool that integrates the test results with the stored grain and provides risk analysis that gives clear guidance on storage condition requirements.
GrainPlan is the new user-friendly electronic grain store package that combines storage records with testing and monitoring data. It gives an overview of the stored grain's status throughout the season. GrainPlan uses colour-coding to flag up potential problems and guides the user to solutions in an easily accessible format. You begin using GrainPlan by creating a 'virtual grainstore' with an easy to follow step-by-step wizard. Once created, all the details of the stored grain can be added with all the information linked to a pictorial representation of each store. The result is a full record of the contents of each bin, bay or heap with instant access at any time. Through the season, as the grain is monitored for temperature and moisture, GrainPlan identifies if the grain is safely stored and will also give warning messages and suggest actions to keep grain safe. GrainPlan also contains an encyclopedia with a wealth of information on storage, drying and cooling and will help identify any pest and tell you how to control it.
For more information: http://www.grainplan.info/
For a copy of the CD contact publications@hgca.com
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