USDA Wheat Inspection and Grading Standards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering USDA wheat definitions, classes, subclasses, grading requirements, and damage types based on Federal Grain Inspection Service standards.

Wheat (USGSA Definition)

Wheat is a cereal grain that is cultivated worldwide, classified under the standards of the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA) based on its quality and end-use characteristics.

Classes of Wheat

Wheat is categorized into several classes based on kernel hardness and color: 1. Hard Red Spring (HRS) 2. Hard Red Winter (HRW) 3. Soft Red Winter (SRW) 4. Hard White (HW) 5. Soft White (SW) 6. Durum.

Hard Red Spring (HRS) Subclasses

HRS wheat has a high protein content and is used primarily for bread and other baked goods. Subclasses include:
- No. 1 HRS: Highest quality with minimal defects.
- No. 2 HRS: Slightly lower quality with more tolerable defects.

Durum Wheat Subclasses

Durum wheat is the hardest of all wheat types, primarily used for pasta. Subclasses include:
- No. 1 Durum: Highest quality with the least defects.
- No. 2 Durum: Acceptable quality with more defects.

Special Grades for Wheat

Special grades for wheat include:
- Sample Grade: Infested, musty, or abnormal odors present.
- Treated: Wheat that has been chemically treated.

Basis of Determination for Wheat

The grading of wheat is determined by various factors, categorized as follows:
1. Before Dockage Removal: Assessing factors like moisture and test weight.
2. After Dockage Removal: Evaluating damaged and foreign material.
3. After Dockage and SHBN Removal: Final quality checks on remaining kernels.

Dockage in Wheat

Dockage refers to the material other than wheat kernels that is removed during the grading process, such as chaff, weeds, and other foreign substances.

Special Dockage Procedures

Four special dockage procedures for wheat grading include:
1. Carter Dockage Machine Setups
2. Hand Separations
3. Mechanical Separators
4. **Visual Inspection.

Carter Dockage Machine Setup for Durum Wheat

The Carter Dockage Machine is specially configured to accurately separate Durum wheat from dockage based on kernel size and specific weight.

DKT (Damaged Kernels Total)

DKT refers to the total number of kernels identified as damaged during inspection, which directly impacts the quality grade of the wheat.

Heat Damage in Wheat

Heat damage indicates kernels that have been adversely affected by extreme temperatures, resulting in altered color and cooking quality.

Odor Classifications

Odors classified in wheat grading include:
- Excessive Respiration: Unhealthy fermentation.
- Smoke: Resulting from burnt materials.
- Earthy: Characteristic of soil contamination.
- Smutty: Indicating fungal infections.
- Moldy: Growth of mold due to moisture.
- Cinnamon: A sweet, spicy odor.
- Pig: Unpleasant odor reminiscent of animal waste.

U.S. Sample Grade Requirements

Amount required to grade wheat as U.S. Sample Grade includes:
- Animal Filth: 0.01% or more.
- Castor Beans: 0.01% or more.
- Crotalaria: 0.01% or more.
- Glass: 0.01% or more.
- Stones: 0.01% or more.
- IDK (Infested Damaged Kernels): 0.01% or more.
- FSUB (Foreign Substances): 0.01% or more.
- Total Material: Not exceeding limits.
- Combination of ANFI, Castor Beans, etc.: Not more than specified limits.

Three Situations for Infestation Grade

Wheat may be graded as infested under the following conditions:
1. Presence of live insects.
2. Evidence of insect damage or frass.
3. Filth or contamination from pests.

Three Situations for Treated Grade

Wheat may be graded as treated if:
1. It has been chemically treated against pests.
2. It shows signs of preservation methods.
3. It meets specific enhanced quality criteria post-treatment.

Official Portion Sizes

Official portion sizes for grading include:
- Test Weight: 200 grams.
- Moisture: 200 grams.
- Dockage: 100 grams.
- DKT: 100 grams.
- Foreign Material: 100 grams.
- SHBN: 100 grams.
- CCL: 100 grams.
- Ergot: 50 grams.
- Garlic: 250 grams.
- Smut: 250 grams.
- Smut Balls: 250 grams.

Capacity of Official Test Weight Kettle

The capacity of the official test weight kettle is measured at 1 quart.

Stages 1, 2, and 3 for IDK Determinations

Stages of IDK determinations in wheat are:
- Stage 1: Initial inspection for infestation.
- Stage 2: Assessment of damage from infestations.
- Stage 3: Final review of kernels' quality after treatment.

Basis of Determination for SHBN

The basis for determining SHBN (Shrunken and Broken Kernels) involves assessing the visual characteristics and structural integrity of the kernels.

Items NOT Functioning as DHV or HVAC

Three items that do not function as Dark, Hard, and Vitreous (DHV) or High-Value Grain (HVAC) include:
1. Soft, shriveled kernels.
2. Discolored kernels.
3. Kernels exhibiting signs of spoilage.

Garlic Determination on 250-Gram Portion

A garlic determination can be made on a 250-gram portion when garlic odor is distinctly noticeable during inspection.

Approved abbreviations for different wheat types include:
- Hard Amber Durum:
- Hard Red Winter:
- Hard Red Spring:
- Mixed Wheat:
- Wheat:
- Smutty:
- Unclassed Wheat:
- Garlic:
- White Wheat:
- Dockage:
- Infested:
- Ergoty:
- Smut Balls:

Approved abbreviations for different wheat types include:
- Hard Amber Durum: HAD.
- Hard Red Winter: HRW.
- Hard Red Spring: HRS.
- Mixed Wheat: MW.
- Wheat: W.
- Smutty: SM.
- Unclassed Wheat: UW.
- Garlic: G.
- White Wheat: WW.
- Dockage: DK.
- Infested: IF.
- Ergoty: EG.
- Smut Balls: SB.