This document discusses grain test weight, how it is measured, and its significance in determining grain quality and value. It explains that test weight normally increases as grain dries due to the denser composition of dry matter compared to water in grains. While drying methods can result in different increases to test weight, the document clarifies that increases in test weight alone do not translate to increases in the actual weight of grain sold. Claims used in marketing some grain dryers suggesting higher test weights result in more bushels sold are deceptive since payment is based on a standard bushel weight regardless of test weight.
This document discusses grain test weight, how it is measured, and its significance in determining grain quality and value. It explains that test weight normally increases as grain dries due to the denser composition of dry matter compared to water in grains. While drying methods can result in different increases to test weight, the document clarifies that increases in test weight alone do not translate to increases in the actual weight of grain sold. Claims used in marketing some grain dryers suggesting higher test weights result in more bushels sold are deceptive since payment is based on a standard bushel weight regardless of test weight.
This document discusses grain test weight, how it is measured, and its significance in determining grain quality and value. It explains that test weight normally increases as grain dries due to the denser composition of dry matter compared to water in grains. While drying methods can result in different increases to test weight, the document clarifies that increases in test weight alone do not translate to increases in the actual weight of grain sold. Claims used in marketing some grain dryers suggesting higher test weights result in more bushels sold are deceptive since payment is based on a standard bushel weight regardless of test weight.
This document discusses grain test weight, how it is measured, and its significance in determining grain quality and value. It explains that test weight normally increases as grain dries due to the denser composition of dry matter compared to water in grains. While drying methods can result in different increases to test weight, the document clarifies that increases in test weight alone do not translate to increases in the actual weight of grain sold. Claims used in marketing some grain dryers suggesting higher test weights result in more bushels sold are deceptive since payment is based on a standard bushel weight regardless of test weight.
USDA test weight determination automatically within the instrument, but usually test weight is determined manually. Some moisture meters measure test weight, but these units are not ofcial; their use in trade is regulated by individual states. Iowa does not regulate test weight devices at elevators or processors, where ofcial inspection rarely is used. Grain test weight in units of pounds per bushel species the weight of a volume bushel, which is 32 quarts or 1.2445 ft 3 of grain. The weight bushel in units of pounds is used for the basis of payment for grain. By law, a weight bushel of corn is exactly 56 pounds, a soybean bushel is 60 pounds and a wheat bushel is 60 pounds, regardless of the test weight. Test weight is a general indicator of grain quality and higher test weight normally means higher quality grain. Test weights decrease as grain deteriorates. Test weights have been a part of U.S. grain grades since the United States Grain Standards Act was passed by Congress in 1916. U.S. grades for most grains specify test weight minimums for each grade level. Test weight minimums for various USDA grades for corn, soybeans, and wheat are listed in Table 1. The principles discussed here also apply to grains other than corn. Background When grain is traded, samples are usually tested for quality, and test weight is one of the tests carried out. Test weight is actually bulk density, measured under specic conditions. The USDA-approved manual test weight apparatus (Figure 1) consists of a hopper equipped with a slide gate supported above a one quart container called a kettle. Figure 1. USDA test weight apparatus Grain for testing is placed in the hopper. When the gate is opened, grain drops into the kettle, lls it and ows over the sides. The operator strikes off the top of the kettle with a leveling stick and weighs it. Weight of grain in the kettle is measured in pounds and this value is multiplied by 32 (the number of quarts in a volume or Winchester bushel) to obtain the grain test weight in units of pounds per bushel. For an ofcial USDA test weight determination, the apparatus and procedure must meet USDA requirements. There is one instrument Test weight is used as an indicator of general grain quality and is a measure of grain bulk density. Test weight, but not overall grain weight, normally increases during drying. Erroneous calculations using test weights can incorrectly infer that drying systems that increase test weight also increase the number of bushels that can be sold. This bulletin explains the use of test weight in the grain industry, how it can be used to determine grain value, and why some calculations involving test weight can be deceptive. PMR 1005 October 2009 a Test weight is no longer part of the U.S. grades for
soybeans as of 2007, although it is routinely measured
and included in discount schedules at local elevators. b The levels for No. 2 corn normally are used as standards
by country elevators. Elevator purchase policies specify price penalties for grain with test weights below a specied minimum lb/bushel value. A common discount policy for corn test weight in Iowa is $0.01 per bushel for each lb/bu below 54 lb/bu to 52 lb/bu, $0.02 per bushel for each lb/bu below 52 lb/bu to 50 lb/bu, and $0.03 per bushel for each lb/bu below 50 lb/bu. For example, corn with a test weight of 51.4 lb/bu would incur a penalty of:
Effects of Drying on Test Weights Grain test weights normally increase during drying. For example, when corn is dried from 24 percent moisture to 15.5 percent moisture, the test weight likely increases between two and ve pounds per bushel. There are many reasons for this increase. One reason is that dry matter in the corn kernel is denser than water, so bulk density of the kernel goes up as the portion of water in the kernels goes down. (The specic gravity of water is 1.0. The specic gravity of corn dry-matter, or corn at 0 percent moisture, is about 1.5.) Although the reason is not clear, research has shown that slow drying with natural air or with little addition of heat results in greater test weight increases than those occurring with fast, high temperature drying. Drying methods often are compared by the test weight increase that they cause and the claim of greater test weight increases is used during sales of dryers. Deceptive Calculations Differences in test weight increases among dryers do occur. Deception occurs when the claim is made that a test weight increase results in an increase in the weight of grain that can be sold. An example illustrates how this is done. This type of question is included in advertisements for some grain dryers: Just think: What is the value of preserving ve pounds of test weight on 20,000 bushels of corn over 20 years, if the average price of corn is $4.00/bushel? Answer: $142,857 Here is the calculation the reader makes in order to obtain the answer given: This calculation assumes that if the corn dried in the advertised dryer has a test weight that is ve pounds per bushel higher than that of other corn, the weight of every bushel of corn sold will increase by ve pounds. This is not true. The increased test weight simply means the corn occupies less total volume because of greater bulk density. At sale, one bushel is 56 lb regardless of test weight. The weight of corn for which the seller is paid is not affected by test weight. The price the seller receives for a given weight of corn, however, can be affected by test weight. The following example calculations 2.0 lb bu $0.01 bu per lb/bu $0.02 bu per lb/bu .6 lb bu x ( ) x ) 20,000 bu yr 5 lb bu bu 56 lb $4.00 bu x 20 yr x x x = $142,857 Table 1. Test weight minimums for U.S. grain grades a U.S. Grade Corn (lb/bu) Hard Red Spring Wheat (lb/bu) U.S. No. 1 56 58 U.S. No. 2 54 b 57 U.S. No. 3 52 55 U.S. No. 4 49 53 U.S. No. 5 46 50 = $0.032/bu ( + a By law, 1 bushel = 56 lbs. b Moisture discounts and drying charges usually apply when the moisture content exceeds 15%.
There are no moisture discounts or drying charges in this example. c Includes a test weight discount of $0.04 per bu calculated by the policy stated under Table 1. provide further illustration. Assume three 20,000-lb loads of corn are delivered for sale (Table 2). The values of Loads 1 and 2 are the same even though the test weight of Load 2 is 5 lb/bu higher than that of Load 1. At sale, one bushel of corn is dened as 56 lb, regardless of its test weight. Load 2 will occupy about 9 percent less volume, so the truck box will not be as full as for Load 1. Corn test weight is not used in the computation of the value (that is, the price paid to the seller) of these two loads. The test weight of corn in Load 3 is abnormally low, and the wagon or truck delivering the corn will be fuller than for Load 1 or Load 2 (the bulk corn in Load 3 is less dense). In the case of Load 3, the low corn test weight causes a price penalty of $0.04 per bushel. When this penalty is subtracted from the original load value calculated, the nal load value decreases by approximately $14. In instances when corn has an abnormally low test weight at harvest due to drought, disease, or other environmental inuence, the drying process might raise test weight and thereby reduce test weight penalties. Also, occasionally corn buyers may pay a premium for corn with a high test weight. It is, therefore, possible for a drying process to cause corn value to increase. However, such increases are never due to increases in the weight of corn sold. Summary Grain test weight is an indicator of general grain quality and grain test weight normally increases as grain is dried. Increases in test weight during drying vary among dryers and drying methods. Increases in grain test weight during drying do not result in increases in weight of grain sold, and such claims are deceptive. Prepared by Carl Bern, university professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, and Thomas J. Brumm, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, Iowa State University. and justice for all The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To le a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Ofce of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Jack M. Payne, director, Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa.
This publication was peer-reviewed by two independent reviewers using a double-blind process. Table 2. Example calculations of corn value, with varying test weight. Load #1 Load #2 Load #3 Weight (lbs) 20,000 20,000 20,000 Number of bushels to be sold a (= weight/56) 357.14 357.14 357.14 Moisture content b 14.5% 14.5% 14.5% Test weight (lb/bu) 54.0 59.0 51.0 Volume (ft 3 ) 461 422 488 Price ($/bu) 4.00 4.00 4.00-.04=3.96 c Calculation of value 357.14 bu x 4.00 bu 357.14 bu x 4.00 bu 357.14 bu x 3.96 bu Value ($) $1,428.57 $1,428.57 $1,414.27