Weights, Measures, and Conversion Factors for Agricultural Commodities and Their Products.

Economic Research Service in cooperation with the Agricultural Marketing Service, the Agricultural 

Research Service, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Agricultural Handbook No. 697.

Abstract

This handbook is a compilation of weights, measures, and conversion factors used for agricultural 

commodities and their products. Several of the conversion factors and values shown in this handbook 

can be applied to many commodities. Some factors and values relate to specific commodities or 

products. This handbook supersedes Statistical Bulletin No. 616, Conversion Factors and Weights 

and Measures for Agricultural Commodities and Their Products (1979). When feasible, general 

purpose tables were updated to reflect changes in agricultural production and marketing. 

Considerable emphasis was given to metric measures.

Keywords: Weights, measures, conversion factors, U.S. measures, metric measures.

Supersedes SB-616, Conversion Factors and Weights and Measures for Agricultural Commodities and 

Their Products, 1979.

Washington, DC 20005-4788 June 1992

i
Contents

Table Page

1 Metric weights and measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

2 Customary weights and measures of the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

3 Conversion of weights and measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

4 Other metric and U.S. equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

5 Factors for converting domestic and metric weights and measures commonly used for 

agricultural commodities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

6 Individual commodity weights and measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

7 Factors used to convert pounds of carcass weight to retail and trimmed, 

boneless equivalent weights for red meats, 1970 to 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

8 Cattle, calves, sheep and lambs, and hogs slaughtered: Average live weight 

and dressing yields, 1980-89 and 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

9 Yield of trimmed, mostly boneless retail cuts and lean trim from steer beef carcasses 

by yield grade and degree of marbling, for two levels of fat remaining on cuts . . . . . . 19

10 Veal and calf: Yield of bone-in cuts and boneless meat plus boneless to 

bone-in conversion factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

11 Choice beef: Yields of retail cuts per pound of carcass weight by yield grade . . . . . . . . 21 

12 Physical composition of raw retail beef cuts trimmed to 1⁄4-inch fat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

13 Fresh pork from barrows and gilts: Yields of selected cuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

14 Lamb: Yields of bone-in cuts and boneless meat plus boneless to bone-in 

conversion factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

15 Poultry: Average live weight and ready-to-cook yield, 1986-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

16 Milk products: Federal standards of composition and average commercial contents . . . . . 25 

17 Limits on selected contents of cheeses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 

18 Manufactured dairy products: Factors for obtaining farm milk equivalent 

on milkfat and skim solids bases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

19 Dairy products: Net weight of standard units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

20 Limits on content of selected ingredients for categories of processed meat products . . . . . 29 

21 Factors relating to shell eggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 

22 Estimated conversion factors for yields of liquid eggs and dried eggs and the 

moisture content of dried eggs, by type of product, 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

23 Limits on content of selected ingredients for categories of processed poultry . . . . . . . . . . 36 

24 Fish and shellfish: Factors relating to specified weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

25 Shellfish: Net weight per gallon and liter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

26 Canned fish and shellfish: Net weight per standard case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

27 Factors relating to corn content of specified products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 

28 Factors relating to whole grain and processed wheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 

29 Factors relating to barley and malt content of specified products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 

30 Factors relating to oat content of specified products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 

31 Soybean products: Factors relating to yields of selected items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 

32 U.S. oilseeds: Average yield per harvested acre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 

33 Flaxseed products: Factors relating to yields of selected items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 

ii
Contents—Continued

Table Page

34 Vegetable oils and products: Conversion factors relating to crude 

and refined oils and to pounds and gallons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

35 Fat content and major fatty acid composition of selected foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 

36 Fruit, vegetable, and juice containers: Dimensions, capacities, and conversion factors . . 46 

37 Canned fruits and vegetables: Case conversion factors by container designation . . . . . . . 47 

38 Canned fruits: Factors relating to farm and processed weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 

39 Canned fruits and juices: Net weight per case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 

40 Fruit juices and concentrates: Factors relating to farm and processed weights . . . . . . . . . 51 

41 Dehydrated and dried fruits: Relationship between farm and processed weights . . . . . . . 52 

42 Fruits, dehydrated (low moisture): Relationship between farm and processed weights . . . 53 

43 Frozen fruits and vegetables: Estimated average relationship between farm and 

processed weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

44 Fruits and vegetables: Relationship between weights of freeze-dried 

and frozen products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

45 Canned vegetables: Factors relating to farm and processed weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 

46 Vegetables, dehydrated: Relationship between farm and processed weights 

and weight of product per 5-gallon container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

47 Dehydrofrozen fruits and vegetables: Relationship between moisture content 

of product and weight reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

48 Dehydrofrozen fruits and vegetables: Relationship between 

prepared material and product . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

49 Fruit and vegetable juice powders: Factors relating to farm and processed weights . . . . . 59 

50 Potatoes: Estimated conversion factors for selected products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 

51 Tree nuts: Relationship between shelled and in-shell, and between farm 

and retail weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

52 Yield of product per unit of coffee or tea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 

53 Raw sugar content per pound of specified sugar products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 

54 Sugar content of canned fruits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 

55 Refined beet and cane sugar in confectionery products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 

56 Refined beet and cane sugar content of specified products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 

57 Net weights, sugar solids content, and total solids content per unit of 

specified products at 20° Celsius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

58 Factors for converting cotton acreages, cotton, and cotton products to equivalents . . . . . 67 

59 Factors relating to cottonseed products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 

60 Special notes on cotton, cottonseed, and cottonseed products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 

61 Scoured yield of greasy shorn and pulled domestic wools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 

62 Tobacco: Factors for adjusting stocks reported by dealers and manufacturers to a 

farm-sales-weight equivalent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

iii
Weights, Measures, and Conversion 

Factors for Agricultural Commodities 

and Their Products

This handbook was compiled to provide conversion factors for use in statistical, research, and service 

programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The handbook supersedes Statistical 

Bulletin No. 616, Conversion Factors and Weights and Measures for Agricultural Commodities and 

Their Products, published in 1979. Revisions often reflect changes in agricultural production and 

marketing practices. Also, much more emphasis has been given to metric weights and measures and 

to factors for converting from U.S. measures to metric measures.

Values shown are generally intended to represent overall averages, except where indicated. The 

conversion factors included are based on available information for current conditions and practices. 

While it includes a reasonably complete set of general purpose factors, the handbook may be less than 

fully satisfactory for some particular commodities or needs. Conversion factors for many 

commodities can change from year to year. Thus, caution is suggested in using the handbook for 

compiling or revising historical series.

Accounting for changes in marketing and production practices can require considerable study and 

consultation. Thus, it has not been possible to update all tables. A few tables published in Statistical 

Bulletin No. 616 that were felt to be seriously out of date or of limited relevance at this time have 

been deleted. Information needs noted in preparing this handbook may stimulate research that can 

lead to future enhancements. Users of the handbook are invited to suggest alternative sources of 

information or supply materials for improvements.

Much of the handbook revision was prepared by Economic Research Service (ERS) staff, especially 

by commodity specialists from the Commodity Economics Division (CED). Analysts from the 

Agriculture and Rural Economy Division (ARED), the Agriculture and Trade Analysis Division 

(ATAD), and the Resources and Technology Division (RTD) provided materials and helped with 

review. Staff of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Agricultural Marketing Service 

(AMS), and the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) helped prepare and reviewed the 

tables.

Individuals from the CED who coordinated the preparation of materials were James Cole, Crops 

Branch; Kenneth Nelson, Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Branch; William Moore, Specialty 

Agriculture Branch; and Carolyn Whitton, Commodity and Trade Analysis Branch. Representing 

other ERS divisions were Mir Ali, ARED; William Crosswhite, RTD; and C. Edward Overton, 

ATAD. Other USDA agency representatives were Alfonzo Drain, NASS; Gary Scavongelli, AMS; 

and Wilda Martinez, ARS.

Edward Reinsel and James Horsfield, Office of the Administrator, ERS, served as overall 

coordinators for the handbook. Joseph Lockley provided typing support and Bonnie Moore prepared 

the camera copy.

1
Tables of Weights and Measures

Tables 1 through 4, which are general tables of weights and measures, were largely based on 

materials provided by the Office of Weights and Measures, National Institute of Standards and 

Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce. Some of these tables are carried out to a large number 

of decimal places to make them better adapted to a wide range of uses. Underlined values in tables 3 

and 4 are exact. Beginning with table 5, most of the tables are for individual commodities and 

products.

In the metric system of weights and measures, designations of multiples and subdivisions of any units 

may be arrived at by combining the names of the units with the prefixes deka, hecto, and kilo, 

meaning 10, 100, and 1 000, and with deci, centi, and milli, meaning, respectively, one-tenth, 

one-hundredth, and one-thousandth. In the following metric tables, some such multiples and 

subdivisions have not been included because they have little, if any, currency in actual use. When 

writing large metric numbers, it is conventional to use spaces rather than commas to separate groups 

of three numerals. For example, one thousand is written 1 000 and one million is written 1 000 000.

In certain cases, particularly in scientific usage, it is convenient to provide for multiples larger than 

1 000 and for subdivisions smaller than one-thousandth. Accordingly, the following prefixes are 

generally recognized:

exa, (E), meaning 1018 deci, (d), meaning 10-1

peta, (P), meaning 1015 centi, (c), meaning 10-2

tera, (T), meaning 1012 milli, (m), meaning 10-3

giga, (G), meaning 109 micro, (μ), meaning 10-6

mega, (M), meaning 106 nano, (n), meaning 10-9

kilo, (k), meaning 103 pico, (p), meaning 10-12

hecto, (h), meaning 102 femto, (f), meaning 10-15

deka, (da), meaning 101 atto, (a), meaning 10-18

Thus, a kilometer is 1 000 meters and a millimeter is 0.001 meter.

By action of the 12th General Conference on Weights and Measures (1964), the liter is a special name 

for the cubic decimeter.

Squares and cubes of customary, but not of metric, units are sometimes expressed by the use of 

abbreviations rather than symbols. For example, sq ft means square foot, and cu ft means cubic foot. 

To distinguish the liquid pint or quart from the dry pint or quart, the word liquid or the abbreviation 

liq is used in combination with the name or abbreviation of the liquid unit. To distinguish the dry 

pint or quart from the liquid pint or quart, the word "dry" is used in combination with the name or 

abbreviation of the dry unit.

When the terms "hundredweight" and "ton" are used unmodified, they are commonly understood to 

mean the 100-pound hundredweight and the 2,000-pound ton, respectively. These units may be 

designated "net" or "short" when necessary to distinguish them from the corresponding gross or long 

measure.

The term "statute mile" originated with Queen Elizabeth I who changed the definition of the mile 

from the Roman mile of 5,000 feet to the statute mile of 5,280. The international mile and the U.S. 

statute mile differ by about 3 millimeters although both are defined as being equal to 5,280 feet. The 

international mile is based on the international foot (0.3048 meter) whereas the U.S. statute mile is 

based on the survey foot (1 200/3 937 meter.)

2
Table 1—Metric weights and measures 

Linear measure 

10 millimeters (mm) = 1 centimeter (cm)

10 centimeters = 1 decimeter (dm) = 100 millimeters

10 decimeters = 1 meter (m) = 1 000 millimeters

10 meters = 1 dekameter (dam)

10 dekameters = 1 hectometer (hm) = 100 meters

10 hectometers = 1 kilometer (km) = 1 000 meters

Area measure 

100 square millimeters (mm2

) = 1 square centimeter (cm2)

100 square centimeters = 1 square decimeter (dm2

)

100 square decimeters = 1 square meter (m2

)

100 square meters = 1 square dekameter (dam2

)

100 square dekameters = 1 square hectometer (hm2

) = 1 hectare (ha)

100 square hectometers = 1 square kilometer (km2)

Fluid volume measure 

10 milliliters (mL) = 1 centiliter (cL)

10 centiliters = 1 deciliter (dL) = 100 milliliters

10 deciliters = 1 liter = 1 000 milliliters

10 liters = 1 dekaliter (daL)

10 dekaliters = 1 hectoliter (hL) = 100 liters

10 hectoliters = 1 kiloliter (kL) = 1 000 liters

Solid volume measure 

1 000 cubic millimeters (mm3

) = 1 cubic centimeter (cm3)

1 000 cubic centimeters = 1 cubic decimeter (dm3

)

= 1 000 000 cubic millimeters

1 000 cubic decimeters = 1 cubic meter (m3

)

= 1 000 000 cubic centimeters

= 1 000 000 000 cubic millimeters

Weight 

10 milligrams (mg) = 1 centigram (cg)

10 centigrams = 1 decigram (dg) = 100 milligrams

10 decigrams = 1 gram (g) = 1 000 milligrams

10 grams = 1 dekagram (dag)

10 dekagrams = 1 hectogram (hg) = 100 grams

10 hectograms = 1 kilogram (kg) = 1 000 grams

1 000 kilograms = 1 megagram (Mg) = 1 metric ton (t)

 

3
Table 2—Customary weights and measures of the United States 

Linear measure 

12 inches (in) = 1 foot (ft)

3 feet = 1 yard (yd)

161⁄2 feet = 1 rod (rd), pole, or perch

40 rods = 1 furlong (fur) = 660 feet

= 10 chains = 201.168 meters

8 furlongs = 1 U.S. statute mile (mi) = 5,280 feet

1 852 meters = 6,076.11549 feet (approximately) = 1 international nautical mile

Area measure

144 square inches (in2

) = 1 square foot (ft2)

9 square feet = 1 square yard (yd2

)

= 1,296 square inches

2721⁄4 square feet = 1 square rod (sq rd)

160 square rods = 1 acre = 43,560 square feet

640 acres = 1 square mile (mi2

)

1 mile square = 1 section of land

6 miles square = 1 township

= 36 sections = 36 square miles

Cubic measure

1,728 cubic inches (in3

) = 1 cubic foot (ft3)

27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard (yd3

)

Gunter's or surveyor's chain measure

0.66 foot (ft) = 1 link (li)

100 links = 1 chain (ch) = 20.116 8 meters

= 4 rods = 66 feet

8 000 links = 1 U.S. statute mile (mi)

1 rod = 25 links

80 chains = 1 U.S. statute mile (mi)

= 320 rods = 5,280 feet

Liquid measure 

4 gills (gi) = 1 pint (pt) = 28.875 cubic inches

2 pints = 1 quart (qt) = 57.75 cubic inches

4 quarts = 1 gallon (gal) = 231 cubic inches

Dry measure 

2 pints (pt) = 1 quart (qt) = 67.2006 cubic inches

8 quarts = 1 peck (pk) = 537.605 cubic inches

= 16 pints

4 pecks = 1 bushel (bu) = 2,150.42 cubic inches

= 32 quarts

Continued—

4 
Table 2—Customary weights and measures of the United States—Continued

Avoirdupois weight 

27-11/32 grains = 1 dram (dr)

16 drams = 1 ounce (oz)

= 4371⁄2 grains

16 ounces = 1 pound (lb) = 256 drams

= 7,000 grains

100 pounds = 1 hundredweight (cwt)

20 hundredweights = 1 ton = 2,000 pounds

Values in gross or long measure 

112 pounds = 1 gross or long hundredweight

20 gross or long hundredweights = 1 gross or long ton

= 2,240 pounds

5
Table 3—Conversion of weights and measures

Units of length—International measure

 

Unit Inches Feet Yards

Centimeters Meters

1 inch = 1 0.08333333 0.02777778 2.54 0.025 4

1 foot = 12 1 0.3333333 30.48 0.304 8

1 yard = 36 3 1 91.44 0.914 4

1 mile = 63,360 5,280 1,760 160 934.4 1 609.344

1 centimeter = 0.3937008 0.03280840 0.01093613 1 0.01

1 meter = 39.37008 3.280840 1.093613 100 1

Length—Survey measure

Unit Feet Rods Chains Miles Meters

1 link = 0.66 0.04 0.01 0.000125 0.201 168 4

1 foot = 1 0.06060606 0.01515152 0.0001893939 0.304 800 6

1 rod = 16.5 1 0.25 0.003125 5.029 210

1 chain = 66 4 1 0.0125 20.116 84

1 mile = 5,280 320 80 1 1 609.347

1 meter = 3.280833 0.1988384 0.0497096 0.0006213699 1

Area—International measure

Unit Square inches Square feet Square yards

1 square inch = 1 0.006944444 0.0007716049

1 square foot = 144 1 0.1111111

1 square yard = 1,296 9 1

1 square centimeter = 0.1550003 0.001076391 0.000119599

1 square meter = 1 550.003 10.76391 1.195990

Unit Square centimeters Square meters

1 square inch = 6.451 6 0.000 645 16

1 square foot = 929.030 4 0.092 903 04

1 square yard = 8 361.273 6 0.836 127 36

1 square centimeter = 1 0.000 1

1 square meter = 10 000 1

Units of area—Survey measure

Unit Square feet Square rods Square chains Acres

1 square foot = 1 0.003673095 0.0002295684 0.00002295684

1 square rod = 272.25 1 0.0625 0.00625

1 square chain = 4,356 16 1 0.1

1 acre = 43,560 160 10 1

1 square mile = 27,878,400 102,400 6,400 640

1 square meter = 10.763 87 0.03953670 0.002471044 0.0002471044

1 hectare = 107,638.7 395.3670 24.71044 2.471044

 Continued—

6
Table 3—Conversion of weights and measures—Continued 

Unit Square miles Square meters Hectares

1 square rod = 0.000009765625 25.292 95 0.002 529 295

1 square chain = 0.00015625 404.687 3 0.040 468 73

1 acre = 0.0015625 4 046.873 0.404 687 3

1 square mile = 1 2 589 998 258.999 8

1 square meter = 0.0000003861006 1 0.000 1

1 hectare = 0.003861006 100 000 1

Volume 

Unit Cubic inches Cubic feet Cubic yards

1 cubic inch = 1 0.0005787037 0.00002143347

1 cubic foot = 1,728 1 0.03703704

1 cubic yard = 46,656 27 1

1 cubic centimeter = 0.06102374 0.00003531467 0.000001307951

1 cubic decimeter = 61.02374 0.03531467 0.001307951

1 cubic meter = 61,023.74 35.314 67 1.307951

Unit Milliliters Liters Cubic meters

1 cubic inch = 16.387 064 0.016 387 064 0.000 016 387 064

1 cubic foot = 28 316.846 592 28.316 846 592 0.028 316 846 592

1 cubic yard = 764 554.857 984 764.554 857 984 0.764 554 857 984

1 cubic centimeter = 1 0.001 0.000 001

1 cubic decimeter = 1 000 1 0.001

1 cubic meter = 1 000 000 1 000 1

Capacity—Dry measure

Unit Dry pints Dry quarts Pecks Bushels

1 dry pint = 1 0.5 0.0625 0.015625

1 dry quart = 2 1 0.125 0.03125

1 peck = 16 8 1 0.25

1 bushel = 64 32 4 1

1 cubic inch = 0.0297616 0.0148808 0.00186010 0.000465025

1 cubic foot = 51.42809 25.71405 3.214256 0.80356395

1 liter = 1.816166 0.9080830 0.1135104 0.02837759

1 cubic meter = 1,816.166 908.0830 113.5104 28.37759

Unit Cubic inches Cubic feet Liters Cubic meters

1 dry pint = 33.6003125 0.01944463 0.550 610 5 0.000 550 610 5

1 dry quart = 67.200625 0.03888925 1.101 221 0.001 101 221

1 peck = 537.605 0.311114 8.809 768 0.008 809 768

1 bushel = 2,150.42 1.244456 35.239 07 0.035 239 07

1 cubic inch = 1 0.0005787037 0.016 387 06 0.000 016 387 06

1 cubic foot = 1,728 1 28.316 85 0.028 316 85

1 liter = 61.02374 0.03531467 1 0.001

1 cubic meter = 61,023.74 35.31467 1 000 1

 Continued—

7 
Table 3—Conversion of weights and measures—Continued

Capacity—Liquid measure

Unit Fluid ounces Liquid pints Liquid quarts Gallons

1 fluid ounce = 1 0.0625 0.03125 0.0078125

1 liquid pint = 16 1 0.5 0.125

1 liquid quart = 32 2 1 0.25

1 gallon = 128 8 4 1

1 cubic inch = 0.5541126 0.03463203 0.01731602 0.004329004

1 cubic foot = 957.5065 59.84416 29.92208 7.480519

1 milliliter = 0.03381402 0.002113376 0.001056688 0.0002641721

1 liter = 33.81402 2.113376 1.056688 0.2641721

Unit Cubic inches Cubic feet Milliliters Liters

1 fluid ounce = 1.8046875 0.001044379 29.573 53 0.029 573 53

1 liquid pint = 28.875 0.01671007 473.176 5 0.473 176 5

1 liquid quart = 57.75 0.03342014 946.352 9 0.946 352 9

1 gallon = 231 0.1336806 3 785.412 3.785 412

1 cubic inch = 1 0.0005787037 16.387 06 0.016 387 06

1 cubic foot = 1,728 1 28 316.85 28.316 85

1 milliliter = 0.06102374 0.00003531467 1 0.001

1 liter = 61.02374 0.03531467 1 000 1

Mass not less than avoirdupois ounces

Unit

Avoirdupois 

ounces

Avoirdupois 

pounds

Short hundredweights Short tons

1 avoirdupois ounce = 1 0.0625 0.000625 0.00003125

1 avoirdupois pound = 16 1 0.01 0.0005

1 short hundredweight = 1,600 100 1 0.05

1 short ton = 32,000 2,000 20 1

1 long ton = 35,840 2,240 22.4 1.12

1 kilogram = 35.27396 2.204623 0.02204623 0.001102311

1 metric ton = 35,273.96 2,204.623 22.04623 1.102311

Unit Long tons Kilograms Metric tons

1 avoirdupois pound = 0.0004464286 0.453 592 37 0.000 453 592 37

1 short hundredweight = 0.04464286 45.359 237 0.045 359 237

1 short ton = 0.8928571 907.184 74 0.907 184 74

1 long ton = 1 1 016.046 908 8 1.016 046 908 8

1 kilogram = 0.0009842065 1 0.001

1 metric ton = 0.9842065 1 000 1

Unit Avoirdupois pounds Milligrams Grams

1 avoirdupois ounce = 0.0625 28 349.523 125 28.349 523 125

1 avoirdupois pound = 1 453 592.37 453.592 37

1 milligram = 0.000002204623 1 0.001

1 gram = 0.002204623 1 000 1

1 kilogram = 2.204623 1 000 000 1 000

8
Table 4—Other metric and U.S. equivalents 

Lengths

1 decimeter (dm) = 3.937 inches 

1 dekameter (dam) = 32.808 feet 

1 fathom = 6 feet 

 = 1.828 8 meters 

1 hand = 4 inches 

1 kilometer (km) = 0.621 mile 

1 mile (mi) (international nautical) = 1.852 kilometers 

 1.151 survey miles 

1 millimeter (mm) = 0.03937 inch 

1 international foot = 0.999998 survey foot 

1 international mile = 0.999998 mile 

Areas or surfaces

1 square survey foot = 1.000004 square international feet 

1 square survey mile = 1.000004 square international miles 

1 square (building) = 100 square feet 

1 square decimeter (dm2) = 15.500 square inches 

1 square kilometer (km2

) = 247.104 acres 

 = 0.386 square mile 

1 square millimeter (mm2

) = 0.002 square inch 

Capacities or volumes

1 barrel (bbl), liquid = 31 to 42 gallons1

1 barrel (bbl), standard for fruits, vegetables, 

and other dry commodities, except cranberries = 7,056 cubic inches 

 = 105 dry quarts 

 = 3.281 bushels, struck measure 

 

1 barrel (bbl), standard, cranberry = 5,826 cubic inches 

 = 86 45/64 dry quarts 

 = 2.709 bushels, struck measure 

 

1 cord (cd) (firewood) = 128 cubic feet 

Water flow relationships (approximations)

1 billion gallons per day (bgd) = 1,121 thousand acre-feet per year 

 = 1,547 cubic feet per second 

 = 694.4 thousand gallons per minute 

 = 3.785 million cubic meters per day 

 

1 thousand acre-feet per year = 0.8921 million gallons per day (mgd) 

 = 1.380 cubic feet per second 

 = 0.6195 thousand gallons per minute 

 = 3.377 thousand cubic meters per day 

 

1 million cubic meters per day = 264.2 million gallons per day 

1 thousand cubic meters per day = 296.12 acre-feet per year 

1

There are a variety of "barrels" established by law or usage. For example, Federal taxes on fermented liquors are based on a barrel of 

31 gallons; many State laws fix the "barrel for liquids" as 311⁄2 gallons; one State fixes a 36-gallon barrel for cistern measurement; Federal 

law recognizes a 40-gallon barrel for "proof of spirits"; by custom, 42 gallons comprise a barrel of crude oil or petroleum products for 

statistical purposes, and this equivalent is recognized "for liquids" by four States.

9
Table 5—Factors for converting domestic and metric weights and measures commonly used for 

agricultural commodities

Domestic weight Equivalent Metric weight Equivalent

1 ounce = 28.349 5 grams 1 gram = 0.035274 ounce

1 pound = 453.592 4 grams 1 gram = 0.0022046 pound

1 pound = 0.455 924 kilogram 1 kilogram = 2.204622 pounds

1 pound = 0.004 535 9 metric quintal 1 metric quintal = 220.4622 pounds

1 pound = 0.0005 short ton 1 short ton = 2,000 pounds

1 pound = 0.000 453 6 metric ton 1 metric ton = 2,204.622 pounds

1 pound = 0.0004464 long ton 1 long ton = 2,240 pounds

1 short ton = 0.907 185 metric ton 1 metric ton = 1.102311 short tons

1 long ton = 1.016 047 metric tons 1 metric ton = 0.984206 long ton

1 short ton = 0.892857 long ton 1 long ton = 1.12 short tons

1 million pounds = 500 short tons 1 short ton = 0.002 million pounds

1 million pounds = 453.592 5 metric tons 1 metric ton = 0.0022046 million pounds

1 million pounds = 446.4286 long tons 1 long ton = 0.00224 million pounds

60-pound bushel of wheat, white potatoes, and soybeans

1 bushel = 0.03 short ton 1 short ton = 33.333 bushels

1 bushel = 0.027 215 5 metric ton 1 metric ton = 36.7437 bushels

1 bushel = 0.0267857 long ton 1 long ton = 37.333 bushels

1 bushel = 0.272 155 metric quintal 1 metric quintal = 3.67437 bushels

1 bushel = 27.215 5 kilograms 1 kilogram = 0.036744 bushel

56-pound bushel of shelled corn, rye, sorghum grain, and flaxseed

1 bushel = 0.028 short ton 1 short ton = 35.714 bushels

1 bushel = 0.025 4 metric ton 1 metric ton = 39.368 bushels

1 bushel = 0.025 long ton 1 long ton = 40 bushels

48-pound bushel of barley, buckwheat, and apples

1 bushel = 0.024 short ton 1 short ton = 41.667 bushels

1 bushel = 0.021 772 metric ton 1 metric ton = 45.9296 bushels

1 bushel = 0.021429 long ton 1 long ton = 46.667 bushels

32-pound bushel of oats

1 bushel = 0.016 short ton 1 short ton = 62.5 bushels

1 bushel = 0.014 515 metric ton 1 metric ton = 68.8944 bushels

1 bushel = 0.014286 long ton 1 long ton = 70 bushels

38-pound bushel of oats

1 bushel = 0.019 short ton 1 short ton = 52.63 bushels

1 bushel = 0.017 24 metric ton 1 metric ton = 58.016 bushels

1 bushel = 0.01696 long ton 1 long ton = 58.94 bushels

10
Table 6—Individual commodity weights and measures

Approximate net weight

Commodity Unit

Metric United States

 Kilograms Pounds

Alfalfa seed Bushel 27.2 60

Apples Bushel basket or carton 18.1 40

Carton, tray or cell pack 18.1 40

Apricots Lug, loose 10.9 24

Western 4-basket crate 11.8 26

Artichokes Carton 10.4 23

Globe 1⁄2-box 9.1 20

Jerusalem Bushel 22.7 50

Asparagus Crate 13.6 30

Avocados Lug 5.4-6.8 12-15

Flat or carton, 2 layer 11.8 26

Bananas Carton 18.1 40

Barley Bushel 21.8 48

Beans: 

Lima, dry Bushel 25.4 56

Other, dry Bushel 27.2 60

Sack 45.4 100

Lima, unshelled Bushel 12.7-14.5 28-32

Snap Bushel 12.7-14.5 28-32

Beets: 

Topped Sack 11.3 25

Bunched Crate or carton 17.2 38

Berries frozen pack: 

Without sugar 50-gallon barrel 172 380

3 + 1 pack 50-gallon barrel 193 425

2 + 1 pack 50-gallon barrel 204 450

Blackberries 12, 1⁄2-pint baskets 2.7 6

Bluegrass seed Bushel 6.4-13.6 14-30

Broccoli Carton 10.4 23

Broomcorn (6 bales per ton) Bale 151 333

Broomcorn seed Bushel 20.0-22.7 44-50

Brussels sprouts Carton 11.3 25

Buckwheat Bushel 21.8 48

Butter Box 30.9 68

Cabbage Open mesh bag, sack 22.7 50

Wirebound crate 22.7 50

Western crate 36.3 80

Chinese cabbage 151⁄2-inch wirebound crate 22.7-24.0 50-53

1-1/9-bushel wirebound crate 18.1-20.4 40-45

Cantaloupes 1⁄2 carton or crate 18.1 40

Carrots, without tops Sacks, 48 1-pound and 

24 2-pound 21.8 48

Sacks 22.7 50

 Continued—

11
Table 6—Individual commodity weights and measures—Continued

Approximate net weight

Commodity Unit

Metric United States

 Kilograms Pounds

Castor beans Bushel 18.6 41

Castor oil Gallon 3.6 8

Western Grower's Association 

crate 22.7-27.2 50-60

Cauliflower Carton, filmwrapped trimmed 11.3 25

LI wirebound crate 27.2 60

Celery Carton or crate 27.2 60

Cherries Lug, California 8.2 18

Lug, Northwest 9.1 20

Chives Flat of 12 pots 4.5 10

Clover seed Bushel 27.2 60

Coffee Bag 60 132.3

Corn:

Ear, husked Bushel 31.8 70

Shelled Bushel 25.4 56

Meal Bushel 22.7 50

Oil Gallon 3.5 7.7

Syrup Gallon 5.3 11.72

Sweet Carton 22.7 50

Wirebound crate 19.1 42

Cotton Bale, gross 227 500

Bale, net 218 480

Cottonseed Bushel 14.5 32

Cottonseed oil Gallon 3.5 7.7

Cowpeas Bushel 27.2 60

Cranberries Barrel 45.4 100

Carton, 24 12-ounce filmbags 8.2 18

Cream, 40-percent butterfat Gallon 3.80 8.38

Cucumbers 1-1/9-bushel, carton/crate 24.9 55

Dewberries Flat, 12 1⁄2-pint baskets 2.7 6

Eggplant 1-1/9-bushel, carton/crate 15.0 33

Eggs, average size Case, 30 dozen 21.3 47.0

Escarole 1-1/9-bushel, carton/crate 11.3 25

Figs, fresh Flat 1 layer tray pack 2.7 6

Flaxseed Bushel 25.4 56

Flour, various Bag 45.4 100

Garlic Carton or crate, bulk 13.6 30

Carton of 12-tube or 12-film 

bag package (2 cloves each) 4.5 10

 Continued—

12
Table 6—Individual commodity weights and measures—Continued

Approximate net weight

Commodity Unit Metric United States

 Kilograms Pounds

Grapefruit: 

Florida and Texas 1⁄2-box mesh bag 18.1 40

Florida 4/5-bushel carton 18.1 40

Texas 7/10-bushel carton 18.1 40

California and Arizona Carton 15.4 34

Grapes Carton or lug 10.0-10.4 22-23

Eastern 12-quart basket 9.1 20

Western Lug 12.7 28

4-basket crate 9.1 20

Hempseed Bushel 20.0 44

Hickory nuts Bushel 22.7 50

Honey Gallon 5.4 11.84

Honeydew melons 2⁄3 carton 13.6 30

Hops Bale, gross 90.7 200

Horseradish roots Sack 22.7 50

Hungarian millet seed Bushel 21.8-22.7 48-50

Kale Carton or crate 11.3 25

Kapok seed Bushel 15.9-18.1 35-40

Kiwifruit: 

California 1-layer flat 1.8-2.7 4-6

New Zealand 1-layer carton 3.2-4.1 7-9

Leeks 4/5-bushel crate 9.1 20

Lemons: 

Florida 4/5-bushel carton 19.1 42

California and Arizona Carton 17.2 38

Lentils Bushel 27.2 60

Lettuce Carton 22.7 50

Lettuce, hothouse 24-quart basket 4.5 10

Limes Carton 17.2 38

Linseed oil Gallon 3.5 7.7

Malt Bushel 15.4 34

Mangoes: 

Florida Flat 6.4 14

Mexico Lug 4.5-5.0 10-11

Maple syrup Gallon 5.00 11.02

Meadow fescue seed Bushel 10.9 24

Milk Gallon 3.90 8.62

Millet Bushel 21.8-22.7 48-60

Molasses, edible Gallon 5.3 11.74

Molasses, inedible Gallon 5.3 11.74

 Continued—

13
Table 6—Individual commodity weights and measures—Continued

Approximate net weight

Commodity Unit

Metric United States

 Kilograms Pounds

Mustard seed Bushel 26.3-27.2 58-60

Nectarines Los Angeles lug, 2-layer 

tray pack 10.0 22

Lug or carton, tight-fill 11.3 25

Oats Bushel 14.5 32

Okra Bushel hamper or crate 13.6 30

5/9-bushel crate 8.2 18

Carton 8.2 18

12-quart basket, crate, 

or carton 6.8-8.2 15-18

Olives Lug 11.3-13.6 25-30

Olive oil Gallon 3.5 7.6

Onions, dry Sack 22.7 50

Onions, green bunched Carton 5.9 13

Onion sets Bushel 12.7-14.5 28-32

Oranges: 

Florida 4/5-bushel carton 19.5 43

Texas 7/10-bushel carton 19.1 42

California and Arizona Carton 17.2 38

Orchardgrass seed Bushel 6.4 14

Palm oil Gallon 3.5 7.7

Papayas Carton 4.5 10

Parsley Carton, bushel basket, or crate 

5-dozen bunches 9.1-11.3 20-25

Parsnips Bushel 22.7 50

Peaches 3⁄4-bushel, carton/crate 17.2 38

2-layer carton or lug 10 22

Peanut oil Gallon 3.5 7.7

Peanuts, unshelled: 

Virginia type Bushel 7.7 17

Runners, southeastern Bushel 9.5 21

Spanish— 

Southeastern Bushel 11.3 25

Southwestern Bushel 11.3 25

Pears: 

California Carton 16.3 36

4/5-bushel carton 20.9 46

Northwest 4/5-bushel carton 20.4 45

Peas, green: 

Unshelled Bushel 12.7-13.6 28-30

Dry Bushel 27.2 60

 Continued—

14
Table 6—Individual commodity weights and measures—Continued

Approximate net weight

Commodity Unit

Metric United States

 Kilograms Pounds

Peppers, green Bushel, 1-1/9-bushel 

carton/crate 12.7 28

Perilla seed Bushel 16.8-18.1 37-40

 

Persimmons 2-layer tray pack, lug or carton 9.1-11.3 20-25

1-layer tray pack, flat or carton 4.5-5.4 10-12

Pineapples Carton 18.1 40

Plantains Carton 22.7 50

Plums 1⁄2-bushel carton 12.7 28

Prunes 1⁄2-bushel carton 13.6 30

Pomegranates 2-layer carton or lug 10.0-11.8 22-26

Popcorn: 

On ear Bushel 31.8 70

Shelled Bushel 25.4 56

Poppy seed Bushel 20.9 46

Potatoes Carton 45.4 100

Sack 45.4 100

Prickly pears Box, wrapped pack 8.2 18

 

Quinces Carton/lug 2 layer 10.0 22

 

Radishes, topped Carton of 24, 8-ounce film bags 5.4 12

Carton of 30, 6-ounce film bags 5.0-5.4 11-12

40-pound film bag 18.1 40

Rapeseed Bushel 22.7-27.2 50-60

Raspberries Flat 12 1⁄2-pint baskets 2.7 6

Redtop seed Bushel 22.7-27.2 50-60

Refiners' syrup Gallon 5.2 11.45

Rice: 

Rough Bushel 20.4 45

Bag 45.4 100

Barrel 73.5 162

Milled Pocket or bag 45.4 100

Rosin Drum, net 236 520

Rhubarb Carton or lug 9.1 20

5-pound carton 2.3 5

Rutabagas Sack 22.7 50

Rye Bushel 25.4 56

 

Savory Sack, crate, or carton 16.8 37

Sesame seed Bushel 20.9 46

Shallots Sacks of 8, 5-pound bags 18.1 40

Sorgo: 

Seed Bushel 22.7 50

Syrup Gallon 5.2 11.55

Sorghum grain Bushel 25.4 56

 Continued—

15
Table 6—Individual commodity weights and measures—Continued

Approximate net weight

Commodity Unit

Metric United States

 Kilograms Pounds 

Soybeans Bushel 27.2 60

Soybean oil Gallon 3.5 7.7

Spelt Bushel 18.1 40

Spinach Bushel 11.3 25

Strawberries 12, 1-pint 5.4 12

Sudangrass seed Bushel 18.1 40

Sugarcane: 

Syrup (sulfured Gallon 5.2 11.45

or unsulfured) 

Sunflower seed Bushel 10.9-14.5 24-32

Sweetpotatoes Carton 18.1 40

 

Tangerines: 

California and Arizona Carton 11.3 25

Florida 4/5-bushel carton/crate 19.5 43

Timothy seed Bushel 20.4 45

Tobacco: 

Maryland Hogshead 352 775

Flue-cured Hogshead 431 950

Burley Hogshead 442 975

Dark air-cured Hogshead 522 1,150

Virginia fire-cured Hogshead 612 1,350

Kentucky and Tennessee 

fire-cured Hogshead 680 1,500

Cigar-leaf Case 113-166 250-365

Bale 68.0-79.4 150-175

Crate 27.2 60

 

Tomatoes Carton 11.3 25

2-layer flat 9.1 20

Tomatoes, hothouse 12-quart basket 9.1 20

Tung oil Gallon 3.5 7.8

Turnips: 

Without tops Sack 11.3 25

Bunched Carton 17.2 38

Turpentine Gallon 3.3 7.23

Velvetbeans (hulled) Bushel 27.2 60

Vetch Bushel 27.2 60

 

Walnuts Sacks 22.7 50

Watermelon Carton 38.6 85

Bin 476.3 1,050

Watercress Carton, 25 bunches 3.6 8

Wheat Bushel 27.2 60

 Continued—

16
Table 6—Individual commodity weights and measures—Continued

Note: Much of this table on individual commodity weights and measures was taken from Agricultural 

Statistics, 1990, prepared by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board. 

Some of the weights were suggested by the Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

The table covers many important agricultural products, but it does not cover all farm products or all containers 

for any one product.

The information was assembled from State schedules of legal weights, various sources within the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, and materials from other Government agencies. For most products, especially fruits 

and vegetables, there is considerable variation in weight per unit of volume because of differences in variety, 

size, condition and tightness of pack, degree to which the container is heaped, and other factors. An effort was 

made to select representative averages for listed products. For commodities for which there is considerable 

shrinkage, the point of origin weight or weight at harvest was used.

The approximate or average weights given in this table do not necessarily have official standing as a basis for 

packing or as grounds for settling disputes. Nor are they all recognized as legal weights.

Considerable information is available on dimensions of the various units and containers listed in Agricultural 

Statistics.

17
Table 7—Factors used to convert pounds of carcass weight to retail and trimmed, boneless equivalent 

weights for red meats, 1970 to 19911

Beef Pork2 Veal Lamb and mutton 

Year

Retail Boneless Retail Boneless Retail Boneless Retail Boneless

Kilograms

1970 0.337 0.318 0.349 0.303 0.378 0.312 0.406 0.300

1971 .337 .318 .349 .305 .378 .312 .406 .300

1972 .337 .318 .350 .308 .378 .312 .406 .300

1973 .337 .318 .350 .310 .378 .312 .406 .300

1974 .337 .318 .351 .312 .378 .312 .406 .300

1975 .337 .318 .351 .315 .378 .312 .406 .300

1976 .337 .318 .352 .317 .378 .312 .406 .300

1977 .337 .318 .352 .319 .378 .312 .406 .300

1978 .337 .318 .352 .321 .378 .312 .406 .300

1979 .337 .318 .353 .322 .378 .312 .406 .300

1980 .337 .318 .353 .324 .378 .312 .406 .300

1981 .337 .318 .354 .326 .378 .312 .406 .300

1982 .337 .318 .354 .327 .378 .312 .406 .300

1983 .337 .318 .355 .328 .378 .312 .406 .300

1984 .337 .318 .355 .329 .378 .312 .406 .300

1985 .337 .318 .356 .330 .378 .312 .406 .300

1986 .333 .315 .355 .331 .378 .312 .406 .300

1987 .324 .305 .355 .331 .378 .312 .406 .300

1988 .321 .304 .354 .332 .378 .312 .406 .300

1989 .321 .304 .354 .332 .378 .312 .406 .300

19902 .321 .304 .354 .332 .378 .312 .406 .300

19913 .321 .304 .354 .332 .378 .312 .406 .300

Pounds

1970 .740 .698 .765 .665 .830 .685 .890 .658

1971 .740 .698 .766 .670 .830 .685 .890 .658

1972 .740 .698 .767 .675 .830 .685 .890 .658

1973 .740 .698 .768 .680 .830 .685 .890 .658

1974 .740 .698 .769 .685 .830 .685 .890 .658

1975 .740 .698 .770 .690 .830 .685 .890 .658

1976 .740 .698 .771 .695 .830 .685 .890 .658

1977 .740 .698 .772 .699 .830 .685 .890 .658

1978 .740 .698 .773 .703 .830 .685 .890 .658

1979 .740 .698 .774 .707 .830 .685 .890 .658

1980 .740 .698 .775 .711 .830 .685 .890 .658

1981 .740 .698 .776 .715 .830 .685 .890 .658

1982 .740 .698 .777 .717 .830 .685 .890 .658

1983 .740 .698 .778 .719 .830 .685 .890 .658

1984 .740 .698 .779 .721 .830 .685 .890 .658

1985 .740 .698 .780 .723 .830 .685 .890 .658

1986 .730 .690 .779 .725 .830 .685 .890 .658

1987 .710 .670 .778 .727 .830 .685 .890 .658

1988 .705 .667 .777 .728 .830 .685 .890 .658

1989 .705 .667 .776 .729 .830 .685 .890 .658

1990

2 .705 .667 .776 .729 .830 .685 .890 .658

19913 .705 .667 .776 .729 .830 .685 .890 .658

1

ERS estimates. 

2

Revised 1991. 

3

Preliminary.

18
Table 8—Cattle, calves, sheep and lambs, and hogs slaughtered: Average live weight and 

dressing yields, 1980-89 and 1990

Live weight, commercial Dressing yield1 

(federally inspected)

Species

Average, 

1980-89 1990 Average, 

1980-89 1990

Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms --------- Percent ---------

Cattle 1,091 494.9 1,136 515.3 59.4 60.2

Calves 248 112.5 283 128.4 60.9 63.2

Sheep and lambs 115 52.2 125 56.7 50.2 50.8

Hogs 245 111.1 249 112.9 71.5 72.4

1

Dressing yield is the ratio of carcass weight to live weight. 

Source: U.S. Dept. Agr., National Agricultural Statistics Service, Livestock Slaughter, Annual Summary, selected issues.

Table 9—Yield of trimmed, mostly boneless retail cuts and lean trim from steer beef carcasses by yield

grade and degree of marbling, for two levels of fat remaining on cuts

Thickness of

Yield grade Degree of marbling

fat remaining 1 2 3 4 5 Traces Slight Small1 Modest

Pounds of mostly boneless, trimmed cuts per pound of carcass weight2

8 mm (.32 in.) 0.781 0.750 0.721 0.689 NA 0.778 0.746 0.724 0.700

0 mm .735 .697 .666 .633 NA .728 .694 .669 .643

Kilograms of mostly boneless, trimmed retail cuts per pound of carcass weight

8 mm (.32 in.) .356 .342 .329 .314 NA .355 .340 .330 .319 

0 mm .335 .318 .304 .289 NA .332 .316 .305 .293 

NA = Not available. 

1

 "Small" is the minimum degree of marbling to qualify a young carcass for the Choice quality grade. 

2

Boneless except dorsal and transverse spinous processes left in short loin and dorsal spinous processes and rib bones left 

in rib cuts. 

Source: All based on data from the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, reported in J.D. Crouse, L.V. 

Cundiff, R.M. Koch, and M.E. Dikeman, "Closely vs. Totally Trimmed Retail Product Yields of Carcass Beef," Journal of 

Animal Science, 66 (Supp. 1), p. 125. 

19
Table 10—Veal and calf: Yield of bone-in cuts and boneless meat plus boneless to bone-in conversion

factors

Yield of bone-in

wholesale cuts per

100 pounds of carcass

Yield of trimmed boneless

meat1 per 100 pounds of

carcass or wholesale cut

Factors for converting pounds 

of boneless meat to untrimmed

Carcass and bone-in equivalent

wholesale cuts Choice 

and Good

Standard, 

Utility, and Cull2

Choice 

and Good

Standard, 

Utility, and Cull2

Choice 

and Good

Standard, 

Utility, and Cull2

Pounds

Carcass, whole 100.0 100.0 68.5 69.5 1.46 1.44

Foresaddle 48.6 49.7 70.4 69.3 1.42 1.45

Chuck 26.1 27.6 73.5 72.8 1.36 1.38

Breast 14.3 14.3 62.8 62.6 1.59 1.62

Hotel rack, 7 rib 8.2 7.8 73.8 69.3 1.35 1.45

Hindsaddle 51.4 50.3 66.6 70.1 1.51 1.44

Leg, includes 

sirloin 36.4 38.8 72.8 73.5 1.38 1.37

Loin 7.0 6.4 73.3 69.8 1.36 1.45

Flank 4.8 3.4 53.4 68.5 1.87 1.48

Kidney knob 3.2 1.7 — — — —

Kilograms

Carcass, whole 45.59 45.59 31.23 31.69 .67 .66

Foresaddle 22.16 22.66 32.10 31.60 .65 .66 

Chuck 11.90 12.58 33.51 33.19 .62 .63 

Breast 6.52 6.52 28.63 28.54 .72 .74

Hotel rack, 7 rib 3.74 3.56 33.65 31.60 .62 .66

Hindsaddle 23.43 22.93 30.36 31.96 .69 .66 

Leg, includes 

sirloin 16.60 17.69 33.19 33.51 .63 .62

Loin 3.19 2.92 33.42 31.82 .62 .66 

Flank 2.19 1.55 24.35 31.23 .85 .67

Kidney knob 1.46 .78 0 0 0 0 

— = Not applicable. 

1

All cuts trimmed of fat exceeding 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch. 

2

Cull grade no longer used.

20
Table 11—Choice beef: Yields of retail cuts per pound of carcass weight by yield grade1

 Yield grade 

Retail cut 1 2 3 4 5

Pounds

Rump, boneless 0.037 0.035 0.033 0.031 0.029

Inside round .049 .045 .041 .037 .033

Outside round .048 .046 .044 .042 .040

Round tip .027 .026 .025 .024 .023

Sirloin .091 .087 .083 .079 .075

Short loin .053 .052 .051 .050 .049

Blade chuck .099 .094 .089 .084 .079

Rib, short, 7 inches .063 .062 .061 .060 .059

Chuck arm, boneless .064 .061 .058 .055 .052

Brisket, boneless .025 .023 .021 .019 .017

Flank steak .005 .005 .005 .005 .005

Lean trim .123 .113 .103 .093 .083

Ground beef .133 .122 .111 .100 .089

Kidney .003 .003 .003 .003 .003

Salable retail cuts .820 .774 .728 .682 .636

Fat .076 .127 .178 .229 .280

Bone .104 .099 .094 .089 .084

Total 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000

Kilograms

Rump, boneless .017 .016 .015 .014 .013

Inside round .022 .021 .019 .017 .015

Outside round .022 .021 .020 .019 .018

Round tip .012 .012 .011 .011 .010

Sirloin .041 .040 .038 .036 .034

Short loin .024 .024 .023 .023 .022

Blade chuck .045 .043 .041 .038 .036

Rib, short, 7 inches .029 .028 .028 .027 .027

Chuck arm, boneless .029 .028 .026 .025 .024

Brisket, boneless .011 .010 .010 .009 .008

Flank steak .002 .002 .002 .002 .002

Lean trim .056 .052 .047 .042 .038

Ground beef .061 .056 .051 .046 .041

Kidney .001 .001 .001 .001 .001

Salable retail cuts .374 .353 .332 .311 .290

Fat .035 .058 .081 .104 .128

Bone .047 .045 .043 .041 .038

Total .456 .456 .456 .456 .456

1

Reflects fat trim levels of 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch (6.35 to 12.7 mm) 

Source: U.S. Dept. Agr., Consumer and Marketing Service, USDA Yield Grades for Beef, Marketing Bulletin 45, revised

May 1974.

21
Table 12—Physical composition of raw retail beef cuts trimmed to 1⁄4-inch fat

Cut and grade Separable 

lean

Separable 

fat Refuse1 Cut and grade Separable lean

Separable 

fat Refuse1

Percent Percent

All grades: Choice—Continued 

Brisket— Shank 60.0 6.0 34.0

Whole 69.6 30.1 0.3 Short loin—

Flat-half 72.8 27.2 0 Porterhouse 63.0 18.5 18.5

Point-half 66.8 32.6 .6 T-bone 60.6 17.1 22.3

Chuck— Top loin 71.7 18.5 9.8

Arm 66.9 17.9 15.2 Tenderloin 74.7 23.6 1.7

Blade 64.8 16.3 18.9 Top sirloin 79.0 15.8 5.2

Rib— 

Whole 58.5 25.4 16.1 Select: 

Large end 57.5 26.4 16.1 Chuck—

Small end 60.2 23.8 16.0 Arm 68.0 16.5 15.5

Round— Blade 66.3 14.7 19.0

Bottom 85.2 11.9 2.9 Rib—

Eye 84.8 14.5 .7 Whole 60.3 23.7 16.0

Tip 83.1 13.3 3.6 Large end 59.4 24.3 16.3

Top 89.5 8.5 2.0 Small end 61.9 22.8 15.3

Tenderloin 74.9 23.7 1.4 Round—

Top loin 73.6 17.5 8.9 Full cut 83.0 11.1 5.9

Top sirloin 80.0 14.9 5.1 Bottom 86.5 11.3 2.2

 Eye 85.7 13.8 .5

Choice: Tip 84.7 12.1 3.2

Chuck— Top 89.9 8.3 1.8

Arm 66.0 19.0 15.0 Tenderloin 75.0 23.8 1.2

Blade 63.4 17.7 18.9 Top loin 75.7 16.5 7.8

Flank2

 93.0 5.0 2.0 Top sirloin 81.2 13.9 5.0

Rib— Whole 56.8 26.8 16.4 Prime: 

Eye

2

 75.0 20.7 4.3 Rib—

Large end 55.8 28.2 16.0 Whole 56.1 28.6 15.3

Small end 58.6 24.7 16.7 Large end 55.1 31.0 13.9

Shortribs 41.0 32.0 27.0 Small end 57.5 25.0 17.5

Round— Round— 

Full cut 83.0 11.1 5.9 Tip 82.5 12.1 5.4

Bottom 84.1 12.5 3.4 Top 93.7 4.9 1.4

Eye 84.0 15.1 .9 Tenderloin 74.9 22.3 2.8

Tip 81.6 14.2 4.2 Top loin 72.4 22.3 5.3

Top 89.1 8.6 2.3 

1

Mostly bone or connective tissue. 

2

Trimmed to 0-inch fat.

Source: U.S. Dept. Agr., Human Nutrition Information Service, Composition of Foods: Beef Products, AH-8-13, May 

1990, pp. 19-22.

22
Table 13—Fresh pork from barrows and gilts: Yields of selected cuts

Yield of wholesale cuts per 

Carcass and pound of–

wholesale cuts Live weight Carcass

Yield of trimmed 

boneless meat per pound 

of wholesale cut

Factors for converting 

1 pound of boneless 

meat to bone-in equivalent

Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms

Packer-dressed carcass 0.7350 0.335 1 1.0000 0.455 9 0.7290 0.332 4 1.3700 0.624 6

Boneless, skinless meat .5358 .244 3 .7290 .332 4 1.0000 .455 9 1.0000 .455 9

 

Hams: 

Skinned, bone-in .1770 .080 7 .2408 .109 8 .6600 .300 9 1.5200 .693 0

Skinned, semi-boneless .1416 .064 6 .1927 .087 9 .8000 .364 7 1.2500 .569 9

Skinless, boneless .1168 .053 3 .1589 .072 4 1.0000 .455 9 1.0000 .455 9

 

Shoulders:

Picnics— 

Skinned, bone-in .0680 .031 0 .0925 .042 2 .7500 .341 9 1.3300 .606 4

Skinless, boneless .0510 .023 3 .0694 .031 6 1.0000 .455 9 1.0000 .455 9

Butts, skinless— 

Bone-in (Boston) .0480 .021 9 .0653 .029 8 .9400 .428 6 1.0600 .483 3

Boneless .0451 .020 6 .0614 .028 0 1.0000 .455 9 1.0000 .455 9

 

Loins:

Bone-in .1380 .062 9 .1878 .085 6 .7800 .355 6 1.2800 .583 6

Boneless .1076 .049 1 .1464 .066 7 1.0000 .455 9 1.0000 .455 9

 

Bellies: 

Slab, skin on .1250 .057 0 .1701 .077 6 .7500 .341 9 1.3300 .606 4

Slab, skin off .0938 .042 8 .1276 .058 2 1.0000 .455 9 1.0000 .455 9

Jowls (bacon squares) .0100 .004 6 .0136 .006 2 — — — — 

Spareribs .0290 .013 2 .0395 .018 0 — — — — 

Feet, front .0080 .003 6 .0109 .005 0 — — — — 

Tails .0020 .000 9 .0027 .001 2 — — — — 

Neckbones .0100 .004 6 .0136 .006 2 — — — — 

Trimmings: 

72-percent lean .0270 .012 3 .0367 .016 7 — — — — 

42-percent lean .0090 .004 1 .0122 .005 6 — — — — 

 

Fat, skin, and other .0570 .026 0 .0776 .035 4 — — — — 

Bone .1417 .064 6 .1928 .087 9 — — — — 

 

Shrink and loss .0270 .012 3 .0367 .016 7 — — — — 

— = Not applicable. 

Source: Lawrence A. Duewer, Kevin Bost, and Gene Futrell, "Revisions in Conversion Factors for Pork Consumption 

Series," Livestock and Poultry Situation and Outlook Report, LPS-45, Jan. 1991, p. 37.

23
Table 14—Lamb: Yields of bone-in cuts and boneless meat plus boneless to bone-in conversion factors1

Wholesale cuts

Yield per 100 

pounds of carcass 

weight

Boneless meat 

per 100 pounds of 

wholesale cut2

Factors for converting 

trimmed boneless meat 

to bone-in equivalent2

Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms

Carcass, whole3 100.0 45.592 65.8 30.000 1.52 0.693

Foresaddle, whole 51.4 23.434 65.9 30.045 1.52 .693

Breast, including shank 16.4 7.477 59.9 27.310 1.67 .761

Chuck 27.2 12.401 70.2 32.006 1.42 .647

Hotel rack 7.8 3.556 63.5 28.951 1.57 .716

Hindsaddle, whole 48.6 22.158 65.7 29.954 1.52 .693

Leg 31.0 14.134 69.0 31.459 1.45 .661

Loin, including flank 

and kidney 17.6 8.024 60.3 27.492 1.66 .757

1

Based on Prime, Choice, and Good yield grade 3 carcasses. 

2

USDA boning practice of cuts trimmed to 1⁄4 inch of fat. 

3

Heart, lungs, trachea, and esophagus have been removed. 

Source: U.S. Dept. Agr., Economics, Statistics, and Cooperatives Service, Conversion Factors and Weights and Measures 

for Agricultural Commodities and Their Products, SB-616, Mar. 1979, p. 20 (unchanged except for metrication).

Table 15—Poultry: Average live weight and ready-to-cook yield, 1986-901

Average live weight Yield, live to ready-to-cook2

Poultry

1986-89 

weighted 

average

1990

1986-89 

weighted 

average

1990

1986-89 

weighted 

average

1990

--- Kilograms --- ---- Pounds ---- ------- Percent -------

Chicken: 

Young 1.95 1.98 4.29 4.37 72.59 72.62

Mature 2.07 2.14 4.57 4.71 61.73 61.01

All 1.95 1.99 4.30 4.38 72.11 72.25

Turkeys: 

Roaster, fryer 4.38 4.43 9.65 9.77 77.70 77.99

Young 9.40 9.68 20.72 21.34 79.31 79.16

Old 10.55 11.11 23.27 24.49 76.55 76.74

All 9.32 9.64 20.56 21.25 79.28 79.13

Ducks 2.96 2.98 6.54 6.57 70.71 70.78

1

Based on total poultry slaughtered under Federal inspection. 

2

Yield of ready-to-cook weight, including neck and giblets, as a percentage of total live weight inspected. 

Source: U.S. Dept. Agr., National Agricultural Statistics Service, Poultry Slaughter, May issues.

24 
Table 16—Milk products: Federal standards of composition and average commercial contents

Federal standards

Dairy products Milkfat 

minimum

Milkfat 

maximum

Milk solids 

not fat minimum

Commercial 

1989 

milkfat

Percent 

Milks: 

Whole 3.25 — 8.25 3.30

Lowfat .50 2.0 8.25 1.74

Skim — .5 8.25 .20

Creams and mixtures: 

Light 18.0 30.0 — 18.84

Light whipping 30.0 36.0 — —

Heavy 36.0 — — 35.86

Sour 18.0 — — 17.31

Half and half 10.5 18.0 — 10.91

Eggnog 6.0 — 8.25 7.61

Federal standards Commercial

Milkfat 

minimum

Total milk 

solids minimum Milkfat Milk solids 

not fat

Percent

Condensed products: 

Evaporated milk 7.5 25.5 7.90 18.00 

Sweetened condensed milk 8.5 28.0 8.50 19.50 

Condensed skim milk — — .20 29.80 

Sweetened condensed 

skim milk — 24.0 .20 29.80 

Condensed buttermilk — — 1.50 26.40 

Federal standards

Milkfat Total milk solids

Minimum Maximum

Milk solids 

not fat minimum Minimum Maximum

Percent

Frozen products: 

Ice cream 10.0 — 6.0 20.0 —

Ice milk 2.0 7.0 — 11.0 —

Fruit sherbet 1.0 2.0 — 2.0 5.0

 Continued—

25
Table 16—Milk products: Federal standards of composition and average commercial contents—Continued

Federal standards Commercial

Dairy products

Milkfat 

minimum

Moisture 

maximum

Milkfat Milk solids 

not fat

Percent

Dry products: 

Dry whole milk 26.0 5.0 26.50 71.00

Nonfat dry milk 1.5 5.0 .80 96.20

Dry buttermilk1 4.5 4.0 5.30 91.90

Dry whey1 — 5.0 1.20 94.30

Federal standards Commercial

Milkfat minimum Milkfat Milk solids not fat

 Percent 

Milkfat products: 

Butter 80.0 80.30 1.00

Butteroil, anhydrous 

milkfat, or ghee — 99.80 .10

Plastic cream — 80.10 1.10

— = Not applicable. 

1

Standards for U.S. Extra Grade.

Sources: U.S. Dept. Agr., Food Safety and Quality Service, Federal and State Standards for the Composition 

of Milk Products (and Certain Non-Milkfat Products) as of January 1, 1980, Handbook No. 51, revised Sept. 

1980.

26
Table 17—Limits on selected contents of cheeses

Cheese products Milkfat in solids Moisture 

minimum Minimum Maximum 

Percent

Hard: 

Asiago— 

Fresh 50.0 — 45.0 

Medium 45.0 — 35.0 

Aged 42.0 — 32.0 

Blue 50.0 — 46.0 

Brick 50.0 — 44.0 

Brie or Camembert1

 50.0 — — 

Cheddar 50.0 — 39.0 

Colby 50.0 — 40,0 

Edam 40.0 — 45.0 

Gorgonzola 50.0 — 42.0 

Gouda 46.0 — 45.0 

Granular 50.0 — 39.0 

Gruyere 45.0 — 39.0 

Hard 50.0 — 39.0 

Hard grating 32.0 — 34.0 

Monterey 50.0 — 44.0 

High-moisture jack 50.0 40.0 50.0 

Mozzarella or Scamorza— 

Whole milk 45.0 52.0 60.0 

Low-moisture 45.0 45.0 52.0 

Part skim 30.0 52.0 60.0 

Low-moisture/part skim 30.0 45.0 52.0 

Munster 50.0 — 46.0 

Parmesan 32.0 — 32.0 

Provolone 45.0 — 45.0 

Romano 38.0 — 34.0 

Swiss (Emmentaler) 43.0 — 41.0 

Semisoft 50.0 39.0 50.0 

Washed curd 50.0 — 42.0 

Pasteurized processed products— 

Cheese 2 — 3 

Cheese food 23.0 — 44.0 

Cheese spread 20.0 44.0 60.0 

 Milkfat

 Minimum Maximum 

Moisture 

maximum 

Fresh: Percent

Cottage 4.0 — 80.0 

Lowfat cottage .5 2.0 82.5 

Cream 33.0 — 55.0 

Neufchatel 20.0 33.0 65.0 

— = Not applicable. 

1

Covered by the standard for soft ripened cheese. 

2

Same as for cheese used or average of cheeses used but not less than 47.0, except for Swiss and Gruyere. 3

1 percent above moisture of cheese used or average of cheeses used but generally limited to 43.0 percent. 

Source: U.S. Dept. Agr., Food Safety and Quality Service. Federal and State Standards for the Composition of Milk 

Products (and Certain Non-Milkfat Products) as of January 1, 1980, Handbook No. 51, revised Sept. 1980.

27
Table 18—Manufactured dairy products: Factors for obtaining farm milk equivalent on milkfat and skim

solids bases1

Product Milkfat basis Skim solids basis

Butter 21.8 0.12 

American cheese 9.23 9.9 

Other cheese 7.49 9.99 

Canned milk 2.15 2.09 

Dry whole milk 7.36 8.26 

Nonfat dry milk .22 11.58 

1

Used to convert weight of manufactured dairy products to equivalent weight of farm milk. Subject to change as technical

parameters become available.

Table 19—Dairy products: Net weight of standard units1

Product Grams per

liter

Pounds per 

gallon

Pounds per 

liter

Kilograms per 

gallon

Whole milk with 3.7% fat,

 

8.62% S.N.F.2 1 031 8.60 2.27 3.90

Milk, standardized, 3.5% 

fat 8.64% S.N.F. 1 032 8.61 2.28 3.91

Skim milk, regular 1 034 8.63 2.28 3.91

Skim milk, modified 1 039 8.67 2.29 3.93

Cultured buttermilk 1 038 8.66 2.29 3.93

Half and half, regular 1 023 8.54 2.26 3.87

Chocolate flavored milk 1 054 8.80 2.33 3.99

Chocolate flavored drink 1 054 8.80 2.33 3.99

Cream: 

18% 1 019 8.50 2.25 3.86

20% 1 017 8.49 2.24 3.85

36% 1 003 8.37 2.21 3.80

40% 1 001 8.35 2.21 3.79

Evaporated milk3 19 7302 43.52 — —

— = Not applicable. 

1

At 10°C (50°F). 

2

S.N.F. = Solids not fat. 

3

Evaporated milk weights are per case of 48, 14.5-ounce cans.

28
Table 20—Limits on content of selected ingredients for categories of processed meat products

Product Ingredients Minimum of1 Maximum of1

 Percent

Baby food: 

High meat dinner Meat2 26 —

Meat and broth Meat 61 —

Vegetable with meat Meat 8 —

Bacon (cooked) Uncooked bacon 40 —

Bacon and tomato spread Cooked bacon 20 —

Bacon dressing Smoked bacon 8 —

Barbecue sauce with meat Meat (cooked basis) 35 —

Barbecued meat Fresh uncooked meat — 70

Beans with bacon or ham in sauce Bacon or ham 12 — 

Beans with frankfurters in sauce Franks 20 —

Beans with meat in sauce Meat 12 —

Beans with meatballs in sauce Meatballs 20 —

Beef a la king Beef (cooked basis) 20 —

Beef a la mode Beef 50 —

Beef almondine with vegetables Beef (cooked basis) 18 —

Beef and dumplings with gravy or 

beef and gravy with dumplings Beef 25 —

Beef burgundy Beef 50 —

Beef carbonade Beef 50 —

Beef roulade Beef (cooked basis) 50 —

Beef sausage (raw) Fat — 30

Water — 3

Beef Stroganoff Uncooked beef 45 —

Cooked beef 30 —

Beef with barbecue sauce Beef (cooked basis) 50 —

Beef with gravy Beef (cooked basis) 50 —

Breaded steaks, chops, and other Breading — 30

Breakfast (frozen product containing meat) Cooked meat 15 —

Breakfast sausage Fat — 50

 Water — 3

Binders and extenders — 3.5

Brown and serve sausage Fat — 35

 Added water — 10

Brunswick stew Meat (at least 2 kinds) 25 —

Burgundy sauce with beef and noodles Beef (cooked basis) 25 —

 Noodles — 20

Burrito Meat 15 —

Cabbage rolls with meat in sauce Meat 12 — 

Cannelloni with meat and sauce Meat 10 —

Cappelletti with meat in sauce Meat 12 —

Cheesefurter Sufficient cheese to characterize — —

Chili con carne Meat 40 —

Chili con carne with beans Meat 25 —

Chili hot dog with meat Meat in chili 40 —

Chili mac Meat 16 —

Chili sauce with meat Meat 6 —

Chop suey (American style) with 

macaroni and meat Meat 25 —

Chop suey vegetables with meat Meat 12 —

Chopped ham (fresh, cured, or smoked ham) Water — 3

 

See footnotes at end of table. Continued—

29
Table 20—Limits on content of selected ingredients for categories of processed meat products—Continued

Product Ingredients Minimum of1 Maximum of1

 Percent

Chow mein vegetables with meat Meat 12 — 

 Noodles — 33.3 

Chow mein vegetables with meat and noodles Meat 8 — 

Corn dog Frankfurter 35 — 

 Batter — 65 

Corned beef and cabbage Corned beef (cooked basis) 25 — 

Corned beef hash Beef (cooked basis) 35 — 

 Fat — 15 

 Moisture — 72 

Country ham Salt 4 — 

Creamed meat products or creamed 

sauce with meat products Meat product (cooked basis) 18 — 

Crepe with meat Meat (cooked basis) 20 — 

 Meat (cooked with another major ingredient) 10 — 

Croquettes Meat (cooked basis) 35 — 

 Meat (fresh basis) 50 — 

Curried sauce with meat and rice Meat (cooked basis) 35 — 

 Cooked rice — 50 

Deviled ham Fat — 35 

 Added moisture — 0 

 Added cereal — 0 

Dinner (frozen product containing meat) Meat (cooked basis) 25 — 

Dumplings with meat in sauce Meat 18 — 

Egg foo yong with meat Meat 12 — 

Egg roll with meat Meat 10 — 

Egg roll with meat and seafood Meat 5 — 

Eggs benedict Cured smoked ham 18 — 

Enchilada with meat Meat 15 — 

Entree, meat or meat food product 

and one vegetable Meat (cooked basis) 50 — 

Frankfurter, bologna, and similar Fat — 30 

cooked sausage (skeletal meat only) Added water — 10 

 Corn syrup — 2 

 Poultry meat — 15 

Frankfurter, bologna, and similar cooked Skeletal meat 15 — 

sausage with byproducts or variety meats Must be distinctively labeled byproducts and 

 variety meats individually named in 

ingredient list— 

 Fat — 30 

 Added water — 10 

 Corn syrup — 2 

Frankfurter, bologna, and similar cooked Skeletal meat 15 — 

sausage with byproducts or variety meats Must be distinctively labeled; byproducts, 

and which also contain nonmeat binders variety meats, and binders must be named in 

proper order in ingredient list— 

 Fat — 30 

 Added water — 10 

 Corn syrup — 2 

 Nonmeat binders, or — 3.5 

Isolated soy protein — 2 

See footnotes at end of table. Continued— 

30
Table 20—Limits on content of selected ingredients for categories of processed meat products—Continued

Product Ingredients Minimum of1 Maximum of1

 Percent

Fried rice with meat Meat 10 — 

Fritter Meat 35 — 

 Breading — 65 

German style potato salad with bacon Bacon (cooked basis) 14 — 

Goulash Meat 25 — 

Gravy Meat or 25% meat stock 6 — 

Gravy and sauerbraten Meat (cooked basis) 35 — 

Gravy and swiss steak Meat (cooked basis) 35 — 

Gravy and yankee pot roast Meat (cooked basis) 35 — 

Gravy with beef Beef (cooked basis) 35 — 

Ham (canned) Total weight gain — 8 

Ham, cooked or cooked and smoked Cooked less than or equal to weight of fresh ham — — 

 Added water must be labeled 

 "Ham, Water Added" — 10 

Ham a la king Ham (cooked basis) 20 — 

Ham and cheese spread Ham (cooked basis) 25 — 

Ham chowder: 

Ready-to-eat Ham (cooked basis) 5 — 

Condensed Ham (cooked basis) 10 — 

Ham salad Ham (cooked basis) 35 — 

Ham spread Ham 50 — 

Hamburger, hamburg, burger, ground 

beef, or chopped beef Fat — 30 

 Extenders — 0 

Hash Meat (cooked basis) 35 — 

Hors d'oeuvre Meat (cooked basis) 15 — 

 Bacon (cooked basis) 10 — 

Jambalaya with meat Meat (cooked basis) 25 — 

Knish Meat (cooked basis) 15 — 

Kreplach Meat 20 — 

Lasagna with meat and sauce, or 

cheese lasagna with meat Meat 12 — 

Lasagna with meat sauce Meat 6 — 

Lasagna with sauce, cheese, and dry sausage Dry sausage 8 — 

Lima beans with ham or bacon in sauce Ham or bacon 12 — 

Liver products, such as liver loaf, liver paste, 

liver pate, liver cheese, liver spread, 

liverwurst, braunschweiger, and liver sausage Liver 30 — 

Macaroni and beef in sauce Beef 12 — 

Macaroni and cheese with ham Ham (cooked basis) 12 — 

Macaroni and meat Meat 25 — 

Macaroni salad with ham or beef Meat (cooked basis) 12 — 

Manicotti with meat in sauce Meat 10 — 

Margarine or oleomargarine Fat (must specify fat) 80 — 

Meat and dumplings in sauce Meat 25 — 

Meat and vegetables Meat 50 — 

 

See footnotes at end of table. Continued—

31
Table 20—Limits on content of selected ingredients for categories of processed meat products—Continued

Product Ingredients Minimum of1 Maximum of1

 Percent

Meat casserole Uncooked meat 25 — 

 Cooked meat 18 — 

Meat curry Meat 50 — 

Meat loaf (baked or oven-ready) Meat 65 — 

 Cereal products — 12 

Meat pasty Meat 25 — 

Meat pie or vegetable meat pie Meat 25 — 

Meat ravioli Meat in ravioli 10 — 

Meat ravioli in sauce Meat in ravioli 10 — 

 Ravioli in product 50 — 

Meat salad Meat (cooked basis) 35 — 

Meat sauce Meat 6 — 

Meat soup: 

Ready-to-eat Meat 5 — 

Condensed Meat 10 — 

Meat spread Meat 50 — 

Meat stew Meat 25 — 

Meat taco Meat 15 — 

Meat taco filling Meat 40 — 

Meat turnover Meat 25 — 

Meat Wellington Cooked tenderloin 50 — 

 Pastry — 30 

Meatballs Meat 65 — 

 Extenders — 12 

Meatballs in sauce Meatballs (cooked basis) 50 — 

Meatball Stroganoff Meatballs (cooked basis) 45 — 

Mince meat Meat 12 — 

Mousaka Meat (labeled "Eggplant and Meat Casserole") 25 — 

New England boiled dinner Cooked corned beef 25 — 

Omelet with bacon Bacon (cooked basis) 9 — 

Omelet with dry sausage Dry sausage 12 — 

Omelet with ham Ham (cooked basis) 18 — 

Omelet with meat food product, such as 

creamed chipped beef or corned beef hash Meat food product 25 — 

Omelet, western Cooked ham 18 — 

Pate de foie Liver 30 — 

Pepper steak (Chinese) Beef (cooked basis) 30 — 

Peppers and Italian sausage in sauce Sausage (cooked basis) 20 — 

Pizza with meat Meat 15 — 

Pizza with sausage Sausage (cooked basis) 12 — 

 Dry sausage (pepperoni) 10 — 

Pork sausage Fat — 50 

 Water — 3 

 Byproducts or extenders — 0 

Pork with barbecue sauce Pork (cooked basis) 50 — 

Pork with dressing Pork (cooked basis) 50 — 

Pork with dressing and gravy Pork (cooked basis) 30 — 

Prosciutto Dry-cured ham coated with spices — — 

Quiche Lorraine Bacon or ham 8 — 

Rice with meat Meat 12 — 

See footnotes at end of table. Continued—

32
Table 20—Limits on content of selected ingredients for categories of processed meat products—Continued

Product Ingredients Minimum of1 Maximum of1

 Percent

Salisbury steak Meat 65 — 

 Extenders — 12 

Sandwich, meat Meat 35 — 

 Bread — 50 

Sauerbraten Beef (cooked basis) 50 — 

Sauerkraut balls with meat Meat 30 — 

Sauerkraut with wieners and juice Wieners 20 — 

Sausage with sauerkraut in sauce Sausage 40 — 

Scalloped potatoes and ham or sausage Ham or sausage (cooked basis) 20 — 

Scallopini Meat (cooked basis) 35 — 

Scrambled eggs with ham in pancake Ham (cooked basis) 9 — 

Scrapple Meat/meat byproducts 40 — 

Shepherd's pie Meat 25 — 

 Mashed potatoes — 50 

Sloppy joe Meat (cooked basis) 35 — 

Snack Meat (cooked basis) 15 — 

 Bacon (cooked basis) 10 — 

Spaghetti sauce with meat Meat 6 — 

Spaghetti with meat or meatballs in sauce Meat 12 — 

Spanish rice with meat Meat (cooked basis) 20 — 

Stuffed cabbage with meat in sauce Meat 12 — 

Stuffed pepper with meat in sauce Meat 12 — 

Sukiyaki Meat 30 — 

Sweet and sour meat Meat 25 — 

 Fruit 16 — 

Swiss steak with gravy Meat (cooked basis) 50 — 

Tamale Meat 25 — 

Tamale with sauce or gravy Meat 20 — 

Tamale pie Meat 20 — 

Taquito Meat 15 — 

Tongue spread Tongue 50 — 

Tortellini with meat Meat 10 — 

Tortellini with meat in sauce Cooked meat tortellini 50 — 

Veal and peppers in sauce Meat (cooked basis) 30 — 

Veal bird Meat 60 — 

 Stuffing — 40 

Veal cordon bleu Veal 60 — 

 Ham 5 — 

Veal fricassee Meat 40 — 

Veal parmigiana Breaded veal in sauce 40 — 

Veal scallopini Veal (cooked basis) 35 — 

Veal steak Beef — 20 

 Fat — 30 

Vegetable and meat casserole Meat 25 — 

Vegetable and meat pie Meat 25 — 

Won ton soup Meat 5 — 

1

Other conditions and restrictions may apply. For specific information, contact Standards and Labeling Division, Food 

Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Dept. Agr. 2

For actual products the applicable species name, for example, "beef" or "pork," is substituted for the word "meat." 

Source: U.S. Dept. Agr., Food Safety and Inspection Service, Meat and Poultry Products: A Consumer Guide to 

Content and Labeling Requirements. Home and Garden Bul. No. 236, July 1981. 

33 
Table 21—Factors relating to shell eggs

U.S. weight classes for Minimum net weight per—

consumer grades of 

shell eggs Case (30 dozen) Dozen Dozen

Pounds Kilograms Ounces Grams Pounds Kilograms

Jumbo 56.0 25.40 30 850.48 1.88 0.85

Extra large 50.5 22.90 27 765.44 1.69 .77 

Large 45.0 20.41 24 680.39 1.50 .68 

Medium 39.5 17.91 21 595.34 1.31 .59

Small 34.0 15.42 18 510.29 1.12 .51

Peewee 28.0 12.70 15 425.24 .94 .43

Average weight sold at retail 47.0 21.32 25 708.74 1.57 .71

Liquid or frozen, minimum amount approximating 1 dozen eggs

Whole Yolk Albumen

Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms

Jumbo 1.64 0.74 0.71 0.32 0.93 0.42

Extra large 1.48 .67 .64 .29 .84 .38 

Large 1.32 .60 .57 .26 .75 .34 

Medium 1.16 .53 .50 .23 .66 .30 

Small 1.00 .45 .43 .20 .57 .26 

Peewee .80 .36 .35 .16 .47 .21

Average weight sold at retail 1.38 .63 .60 .27 .78 .35 

 Dried, minimum amount approximating 1 dozen eggs 

Whole Yolk Albumen

Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms

Jumbo 0.42 0.19 0.32 0.15 0.12 0.05

Extra large .38 .17 .29 .13 .11 .05

Large .34 .15 .26 .12 .10 .05

Medium .30 .14 .23 .10 .09 .04 

Small .26 .12 .20 .09 .08 .04 

Peewee .21 .10 .16 .07 .06 .03 

Average weight sold at retail .35 .16 .27 .12 .10 .05 

Source: U.S. Dept. Agr., Economics, Statistics, and Cooperatives Service, Conversion Factors and Weights and 

Measures for Agricultural Commodities and Their Products, SB-616, Mar. 1979, p. 30 (reviewed but unchanged except for 

metrication).

34 
Table 22—Estimated conversion factors for yields of liquid eggs and dried eggs and the moisture 

content of dried eggs, by type of product, 1991

Yield from 1 dozen 

shell eggs 

Requirements for 1 pound 

of dried egg products 

Yield of dried 

egg product from Egg 

products 

Liquid 

yield from 30 

dozen shell 

eggs1

Liquid 

egg 

Dried 

egg 

Liquid 

egg2

Shell 

eggs 

100 pounds 

of liquid 

30 dozen 

shell eggs 

Approximate 

moisture content of dried 

egg product3

----------------------- Kilograms ----------------------- Dozen ---- Kilograms ---- Percent

Metric: 

Whole eggs 18.0 0.599 0.150 1.7 3.03 11.36 4.49 3.5-4.0 

Albumen-- 

Flake 10.6 .352 .045 3.4 10.00 5.84 1.36 12.0-14.0 

Spray 10.6 .352 .043 3.7 10.64 5.29 1.28 6.0-8.0 

Yolk 7.4 .246 .106 1.0 4.29 20.19 3.17 3.5-4.5 

----------------------- Pounds ----------------------- Dozen ---- Pounds ---- Percent

U.S. customary 

weights: 

Whole eggs 39.6 1.320 0.330 3.8 3.03 25.05 9.90 3.5-4.0 

Albumen— 

Flake 23.3 .777 .100 7.6 10.00 12.88 3.00 12.0-14.0 

Spray 23.3 .777 .094 8.2 10.64 11.66 2.82 6.0-8.0 

Yolk 16.3 .543 .233 2.2 4.29 44.51 6.99 3.5-4.5 

Note: Data represent recent commercial experience as well as the effect of current sanitary regulations on yields of egg 

products. 1

Based on whole eggs, 24.2% total egg solids; egg whites, 11.5% total egg solids; and yolks, 43% minimum total egg 

solids. Large shell eggs 45 pounds per 30-dozen case. 2

Concentration factors used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for estimating the conversion of dried to liquid to check 

yields and volume reports. 3

Values recommended by U.S. Dept. Agr., Agricultural Marketing Service. "Approximate Moisture Content of Dried Egg 

Product," Poultry Division. Figures are based on moisture for whole eggs at 3.5%, flake albumen at 11.5% solids, and 12% 

moisture, spray dried albumen at 11.5% solids and 6% moisture, and yolk at 43% solids and 3.5% moisture. 

35
Table 23—Limits on content of selected ingredients for categories of processed poultry1

Product Ingredients Minimum of Maximum of 

 Percent

Baby food: 

High poultry dinner Poultry meat, giblets, skin, and fats 18.75 — 

Poultry with broth Poultry meat, giblets, skin, and fats 43 — 

Beans and rice with poultry Poultry meat 6 — 

Breaded poultry Breading — 30 

 

Canned boned poultry: 

Boned (kind), solid pack Poultry meat, skin, and fats 95 — 

Boned (kind) Poultry meat, skin, and fats 90 — 

Boned (kind), with broth Poultry meat, skin, and fats 80 — 

Boned (kind), with specified 

percentage of broth Poultry meat, skin, and fats 50 — 

Cannelloni with poultry Poultry meat 7 — 

Chicken cordon bleu Boneless chicken breast 60 — 

 Ham and swiss, gruyere, or mozzarella cheese 5 — 

 Breading — 30 

Creamed poultry Poultry meat 20 — 

 

Egg roll with poultry Poultry meat 2 — 

Eggplant parmigiana with poultry Poultry meat 8 — 

Entree, poultry or poultry food 

products and one vegetable Poultry meat or poultry food product 37.5 — 

Gravy with poultry Poultry meat 35 — 

Noodles or dumplings with poultry Poultry meat 6 — 

Poultry a la kiev Breastmeat — — 

Poultry a la king Poultry meat 20 — 

Poultry almondine Poultry meat 50 — 

Poultry brunswick stew Poultry meat 12 — 

Poultry burgers Poultry meat 100 — 

Poultry burgundy Poultry meat 50 — 

Poultry burrito Poultry meat 10 — 

Poultry cacciatore Poultry meat or 40% with bone 20 — 

Poultry casserole Poultry meat 18 — 

Poultry chili Poultry meat 28 — 

Poultry chili with beans Poultry meat 17 — 

Poultry chop suey Poultry meat 4 — 

Poultry chow mein without noodles Poultry meat 4 — 

Poultry creole with rice Poultry meat 35 — 

 Cooked rice — 50 

Poultry croquette Poultry meat 25 — 

Poultry croquette with macaroni and cheese Poultry meat or croquettes 29 — 

Poultry dinner, frozen Poultry meat 18 — 

Poultry empanadillo Poultry meat 25 — 

Poultry fricassee Poultry wings (cooked basis with bone) 20 — 

Poultry fricassee of wings Poultry meat 40 — 

Poultry hash Poultry meat 30 — 

Poultry lasagna Poultry meat 8 — 

Poultry livers with rice and gravy Livers in gravy or 17.5% total product 30 — 

Poultry meat loaf Raw poultry 65 — 

 Poultry meat 50 — 

 Extenders — 12 

Poultry paella Meat 35 — 

 Cooked rice 35 — 

Poultry parmigiana Breaded poultry 40 — 

See footnote at end of table. Continued—

36
Table 23—Limits on content of selected ingredients for categories of processed poultry1

—Continued

Product Ingredients Minimum of Maximum of 

 Percent

Poultry pie Poultry meat 14 — 

Poultry ravioli Poultry meat 2 — 

Poultry roll Binding agents — 3 

Poultry roll with broth Poultry broth 2 — 

Poultry roll with gelatin Gelatin 3 — 

Poultry roll with natural juices Cooked-out juices 2 — 

Poultry salad Poultry meat 25 — 

Poultry scallopini Poultry meat 35 — 

Poultry soup: 

Ready-to-eat Poultry meat 2 — 

Condensed Poultry meat 4 — 

Poultry stew Poultry meat 12 — 

Poultry stroganoff Poultry meat 30 — 

Poultry tamale Poultry meat 6 — 

Poultry tetrazzini Poultry meat 15 — 

Poultry turnover Poultry meat 14 — 

Poultry Wellington Boneless poultry breast 50 — 

 Pastry — 30 

Poultry with gravy Poultry meat 35 — 

Poultry with gravy and dressing Poultry meat 25 — 

Poultry with noodles au gratin Poultry meat 18 — 

Poultry with noodles or dumplings Poultry meat or 30% with bone 15 — 

Poultry with rice Poultry meat 15 — 

Poultry with vegetables Poultry meat 15 — 

Sauce with poultry or poultry sauce Poultry meat 6 — 

Stuffed cabbage with poultry Poultry meat 8 — 

Stuffed peppers with poultry Poultry meat 8 — 

Turkey ham Cured turkey thigh meat only — — 

1

Other conditions and restrictions may apply. For specific information contact Standards and Labeling Division, Food 

Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Dept. Agr. 

Source: U.S. Dept. Agr., Food Safety and Inspection Service, Meat and Poultry Products: A Consumer Guide to 

Content and Labeling Requirements, Home and Garden Bul. No. 236, July 1981. 

37 
Table 24—Fish and shellfish: Factors relating to specified weights1

Factors for converting to— Factors for converting to— 

Product Round 

weight2

Reported

weight3

Dressed

weight4

Edible 

weight5

Round 

weight2

Reported 

weight3

Dressed

weight4

Edible 

weight5

-------------- Pounds -------------- -------------- Kilograms --------------

Fish, fresh and frozen: 

Not packaged, domestically produced— 

Round weight 1.00 1.00 0.70 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.32 0.20 

Dressed weight 1.43 NA 1.00 .64 .65 .00 .45 .29 

Edible weight 2.22 NA 1.56 1.00 1.01 .00 .71 .45 

 

Packaged, domestically produced— 

Round weight 1.00 .34 NA .34 .45 .15 NA .15 

Packaged weight 2.96 1.00 NA 1.00 1.34 .45 NA .45 

 

Imports, reported weight 1.95 1.00 1.36 .88 .88 .45 .62 .40 

 

Shellfish, fresh and frozen: 

Not packaged, including shrimp, 

oysters, crab, lobster, and others— 

Reported weight NA 1.00 NA .45 NA .45 NA .20 

Edible weight NA 2.22 NA 1.00 NA 1.01 NA .45 

 

Packaged, including fresh shucked 

oysters, clams, shrimp, and others NA 1.00 NA 1.00 NA .45 NA .45 

 

Fish, cured, all types, including smoked, 

pickled, salted, and dried: 

Reported weight (cured weight) 1.50 1.00 NA .75 .68 .45 NA .34 

Edible weight 2.00 1.33 NA 1.00 .91 .60 NA .45 

 

NA = Not available. 

1

Factors are for specified groups and are not applicable to individual species. 

2

Weight of the fish as removed from the water. 

3

Production as reported to the National Marine Fisheries Service; imports as reported by the Bureau of the Census, U.S. Dept. of

Commerce. 4

Weight of fin fish after removal of entrails, head, tail, and fins. 5

Weight of the edible portion of the fish or shellfish. 

Table 25—Shellfish: Net weight per gallon and liter

Product Net weight

Pounds per 

gallon

Kilograms 

per gallon

Kilograms 

per liter

Clams 8.75 3.97 1.048

Oysters 8.75 3.97 1.048

Scallops 8.75 3.97 1.048

38
Table 26—Canned fish and shellfish: Net weight per standard case

Product Net weight 

Pounds per case Kilograms per case

Alewife 45.00 20.41 

Anchovies 31.25 14.18 

Mackerel 45.00 20.41 

Salmon 48.00 21.77 

 

Sardines: 

Maine 23.40 10.61 

Pacific 45.00 20.41 

Shad 45.00 20.41 

 

Tuna and tuna-like fish: 

Solid 21.00 9.53 

Chunks 19.50 8.85 

Flakes and grated 18.00 8.16 

Crab meat, natural 19.50 8.85 

Shrimp, wet pack1

 6.75 3.06 

 

Clam products: 

Whole and minced1

 15.00 6.80 

Juices, chowders, broth, 

and other 30.00 13.61 

Oysters, natural1

 7.00 3.18 

All other 48.00 21.77 

 

1

Cut out or drained weights of canned contents. All others are net canned 

contents. 

39
Table 27—Factors relating to corn content of specified products1

Factors for converting—

One bushel of corn to— Weight of—

Product Pounds of 

product

Kilograms of

product

Pounds of 

product 

to bushels 

of corn

Kilograms of

product 

to bushels 

of corn

Corn to 

weight of 

product

Product 

to weight 

of corn

Corn, shelled2 56.00 25.40 0.018 0.008 1.000 1.00

Corn meal, degermed 31.60 14.33 .032 .014 .564 1.77

Corn meal, nondegermed, 

regular 50.00 22.68 .020 .009 .893 1.12

Corn flour 33.00 14.97 .030 .014 .589 1.70

Corn grits or hominy grits 29.00 13.15 .035 .016 .518 1.93

Hominy: 

Canned 145.00 65.77 .007 .003 2.589 .39

Dry 27.30 12.38 .037 .017 .488 2.05

 

Cornstarch, 10% moisture3 34.40 15.60 .029 .013 .614 1.63

Cornstarch, pearl, 12% moisture 

or laundry starch3 35.20 15.97 .028 .013 .629 1.59

Corn sugar: 

Dextrose, hydrate, 8% 

moisture

30.00 13.61 .033 .015 .536 1.87

Dextrose, anhydrous, 

moisture free4 27.50 12.47 .036 .017 .491 2.04

Corn syrup, 43° Baume,5 

19.73% moisture, 42% dextrose 

equivalent3 37.60 17.06 .027 .012 .672 1.49

High fructose corn syrup 39.2 17.79 .027 .012 .700 1.43

Corn flakes or corn cereal 21.50 9.75 .047 .021 .384 2.60

Corn-soya cereal6 33.60 15.24 .030 .013 .600 1.66

 

Precooked infant-type 

mixed cereal 500.00 226.80 .002 .001 8.929 .11

Premixed cereal 101.80 46.18 .010 .004 1.818 .55

Pancake mix 330.00 149.69 .003 .001 5.882 .17

Pudding powder, 33% cornstarch 103.80 47.08 .010 .004 1.854 .54

Chocolate pudding powder, 

18% cornstarch 186.60 84.64 .005 .002 3.333 .30

Corn snacks 67.50 30.62 .015 .007 .830 .12

Corn oil: 

Refined 1.60 .73 .625 .284 .029 35.00

Crude 1.80 .82 .556 .252 .032 31.10

 

Corn feeds, gluten feed, gluten 

meal, and corn oil meal or cake7 14.90 6.76 .067 .030 .266 3.76

Hominy feed 20.00 9.07 .050 .023 .357 2.80

1

All factors are based on 56 pounds of shelled corn per bushel. Product spectrum varies with corn milled and product 

mix sought. Factors presented are based on maximum yield of product. 2

Five bushels of shelled corn = 1 barrel; 10 bushels of ear corn = 1 barrel; 70 pounds of ear com = 1 bushel of 

shelled corn. 3

From 17% moisture corn. 

4

Based on continued reprocessing of uncrystallized dextrose liquors. 

5

A hydrometer scale that separately covers liquids with specific gravities greater and less than 1. 

6

Corn-soya cereal contains approximately 34% soya flour. 

7

Conversion factors cover all corn feeds combined. Data are not available to show separate components of corn feeds, 

though gluten feed is generally about 55-60% of total corn feeds, gluten meal around 40%, and corn oil meal only about 

2%.

40 
Table 28—Factors relating to whole grain and processed wheat

Factors for converting— 

Commodity Unit Units of wheat to 

pounds of commodity 

Units of commodity to 

bushels of wheat 

 

Wheat, whole grain Pound 1.0 0.01667 

 Bushel 60.0 1.0 

 Short ton 2,000.0 33.33 

 Metric ton 2 204.622 36.744 

 Long ton 2,240.0 37.33 

 

White flour1

 Pound .740 .0225 

 100-pound sack 74.00 2.252 

 Bushel 44.40 — 

 Short ton 1,480.00 45.04 

 Metric ton 1 631.42 49.64 

 Long ton 1,657.60 50.44 

 

Semolina or farina2

 Pound .58 .0287 

 100-pound sack 58.00 2.874 

 Bushel 34.80 — 

 Short ton 1,160.0 57.47 

 Metric ton 1 278.7 63.35 

 Long ton 1,299.2 64.37 

 

Whole wheat flour Pound .980 .01701 

or cracked wheat 100-pound sack 98.0 1.700 

 Bushel 58.8 — 

 Short ton 1,960.0 34.01 

 Metric ton 2 160.5 37.49 

 Long ton 2,195.2 38.09 

 

Wheat meal or Pound .990 .01684 

whole wheat meal 100-pound sack 99.0 1.684 

 Bushel 59.4 — 

 Short ton 1,980.0 33.67 

 Metric ton 2 182.6 37.12 

 Long ton 2,217.6 37.71 

 

— = Not applicable. 

1

74% extraction based on wheat purchased with a final flour moisture of 14%. 

2

At a 73% extraction rate, semolina and farina comprise approximately 58% and flour 15%.

41
Table 29—Factors relating to barley and malt content of specified products

Factors for converting— 

 Metric tons of— 

Product 

Bushels of 

barley to 

pounds of 

product 

Pounds of 

product to 

bushels of 

barley 

Barley to 

metric tons 

of product 

Product to 

metric tons 

tons of barley 

Product to 

metric 

tons of malt 

 

Barley, unprocessed 48 0.02083 1.000 1.000 1.412 

Barley flour 26 .03846 .542 1.845 — 

Pearl barley 30 .03333 .625 1.600 — 

Malt 34 .02941 .708 1.412 1.000 

Malt syrups and 

malt extract 26 .2846 .542 1.845 .764 

 

— = Not applicable. 

Table 30—Factors relating to oat content of specified products

Factors for converting— 

Metric tons of— 

Product Bushels of 

oats to pounds 

of product 

Pounds of 

product to 

bushels of oats 

Oats to 

metric tons 

of product 

Product to 

metric tons 

of oats 

 

32-pound bushel:1 

Oats, unprocessed 32.0 0.03125 1.000 1.000 

Oat flour 20.3 .04926 .634 1.577 

Oatmeal— 

Quick cooking 18.5 .05405 .579 1.730 

Regular 18.5 .05405 .579 1.730 

Ready-to-eat cereal 20.5 .04878 .641 1.560 

 

38-pound bushel:1

 

Oats, unprocessed 38.0 .02632 1.000 1.000 

Oat flour 24.1 .04149 .634 1.577 

Oatmeal— 

Quick cooking 22.0 .04545 .579 1.730 

Regular 22.0 .04545 .579 1.730 

Ready-to-eat cereal 24.3 .04115 .641 1.560 

 

1

A 32-pound bushel is the standard test weight for oats and has been unchanged for many years. However, premiums 

and discounts are routinely paid above and below 38 pounds per bushel. 

42
Table 31—Soybean products: Factors relating to yields of selected items

Factors for obtaining— 

Product 

Units of 

product from 

unit of 

soybeans 

Equivalent 

units of 

soybeans 

from unit 

of product 

Pounds of 

product from 

bushel of 

soybeans 

Equivalent 

bushels of 

soybeans 

from pound 

of product 

Pounds of 

product from 

short ton of 

soybeans 

 

Soybean oil, crude1 0.185 5.41 11.1 0.090 369 

Soybean oil, refined1

 .178 5.61 10.7 .094 357 

Soybean cake or meal, 

44-percent protein1

 .793 1.26 47.6 .021 1,587 

Soybean hulls2

 .070 14.29 4.2 .238 140 

Flour, flakes, or grits: 

Full fat .908 1.10 54.5 .018 1,817 

Low fat .733 1.36 44.0 .023 1,467 

 

1

1985-89 crop-year average. 

2

Removed when 50-percent protein meal produced. 

Table 32—U.S. oilseeds: Average yield per harvested acre1

Oil-bearing material Average yield Crude oil 

produced 

Cake and meal

produced 

Bushels2 Tons ------------------ Pounds------------------

Cottonseed — 0.502 1,004 166 472 

Flaxseed 12.7 — 711 249 455 

Peanuts (farmers' stock) — 1.213 2,426 752 1,030 

Safflowers — .738 1,476 561 856 

Soybeans 33.2 — 1,992 369 1,584 

Sunflowers (oil type) — .595 1,190 482 595 

1

Yields of oilseeds are 5-year averages, 1985-89. Yields of oil and cake or meal are based on the 5-year average yields 

of oilseeds converted to oil and cake or meal equivalents on the basis of 5-year, 1985-89, crop year average percentage 

outturns, as follows: 

Oil outturn: Cottonseed, 16.5%; flaxseed (linseed oil), 35.8%; peanuts, 31.0%; safflowers, 38.0%; soybeans, 18.5%; 

and sunflowers, 40.5%. 

Cake or meal outturns: Cottonseed, 46.0%; linseed, 65.0%; peanuts, 42.5%; safflowers, 58.0%; soybeans, 79.5%; 

and sunflowers, 50.0%. 2

Bushel weight: Flaxseed, 56 pounds; soybeans, 60 pounds. 

43 
Table 33—Flaxseed products: Factors relating to yields of selected items

Factors for obtaining— 

Product 

Units of 

product from 

unit of 

flaxseed 

Equivalent 

units of 

flaxseed 

per unit 

of product 

Pounds of 

product from 

bushel of 

flaxseed 

Equivalent 

bushels of 

flaxseed 

per pound 

of product 

Pounds of 

product from 

short ton of 

flaxseed 

 

Linseed oil, crude1 0.357 2.80 20.0 0.0500 714 

Linseed oil, refined2

 .293 3.41 16.4 .0610 586 

Linseed cake or meal1

 .654 1.53 36.6 .0273 1,307 

 

1

1985-89 crop-year average. 2Linseed oil is typically refined from raw oil, rather than crude. The loss in refining is 

about 8 percent from raw to refined and bleached. 

Table 34—Vegetable oils and products: Conversion factors relating to crude and refined oils and to 

pounds and gallons

Factors for converting— 

Oil and product Refined oil 

from crude oil 

Equivalent 

crude oil from 

refined oil 

Pounds from 

gallons 

Gallons from 

pounds 

Oil: 

Castor 1 1 8.0 0.125 

Coconut 0.97 1.03 7.5 .133 

Corn .90 1.11 7.7 .130 

Cottonseed .90 1.11 7.7 .130 

Fish (menhaden) 1 1

 7.7 .130 

Grain screenings 1 1

 7.7 .130 

Linseed .92 1.07 7.7 .130 

Murumuru 1 1

 7.5 .133 

Mustardseed 1 1 7.7 .130 

Oiticica 1 1

 7.8 .128 

Olive 1 1 7.6 .132 

Ouricuri 1 1

 7.5 .133 

Palm .97 1.03 7.7 .130 

Palm kernel .97 1.03 7.5 .133 

Peanut .92 1.09 7.7 .130 

Perilla 1 1

 7.7 .130 

Rapeseed .962 1

 7.7 .130 

Safflower 1 1 7.7 .130 

Sesame seed 1 1

 7.7 .130 

Soybean .92 1.09 7.7 .130 

Sunflower seed .92 1.09 7.7 .130 

Tucum 1 1

 7.5 .133 

Tung 1 1

 7.8 .128 

Product: 

Cooking and salad oils 1 1

 7.4 .135 

French dressing 1 1

 8.7 .115 

Mayonnaise 1 1

 8.0 .125 

Oil and vinegar dressing 1 1 8.4 .119 

Salad dressing 1 1

 8.7 .115 

Sandwich spread 1 1

 8.7 .115 

1

Not customarily reported as refined oil. 2From "super degummed" to refined, bleached, and deodorized. 

44 
Table 35—Fat content and major fatty acid composition of selected foods

 Fatty acids1

Food Total fat Saturated2 Monounsaturated Polyunsaturated 

Percent

Salad and cooking oils: 

Safflower 100 9 12 75 

Sunflower, oil type, northern 100 10 20 66 

Corn 100 13 24 59 

Cottonseed 100 26 18 52 

Soybean3

 100 14 23 58 

Sesame 100 14 40 42 

Soybean, specially processed 100 15 43 38 

Peanut 100 17 46 32 

Palm 100 49 37 9 

Olive 100 14 74 8 

Coconut 100 87 6 2 

Vegetable fats-shortening 100 25 45 26 

Table spreads: 

Margarine, first ingredient on label—4 

Safflower oil (liquid), tub 80 9 23 45 

Corn oil (liquid), tub 80 14 32 31 

Soybean oil (liquid), tub 80 14 37 27 

Corn oil (liquid), stick 80 13 46 18 

Soybean oil (liquid), stick 80 17 39 21 

Cottonseed or soybean oil 

partially hydrogenated, tub 80 14 38 25 

Butter 81 51 23 3 

Animal fats: 

Poultry 100 30 45 21 

Lard (pork) 100 39 45 11 

Beef, lamb 100 48 41 5 

Fish, raw: 

Salmon, pink 3 1 1 1 

Tuna, bluefin 5 1 1 2 

Mackerel, Pacific and jack 8 2 2 2 

Herring, Atlantic 9 2 4 2 

Nuts: 

Walnuts, English 62 6 14 39 

Walnuts, black 57 4 13 38 

Brazil 66 16 23 24 

Peanuts, peanut butter 50 7 24 15 

Pecans 68 5 42 17 

Egg yolk 31 10 12 4 

Avocado, California 17 3 11 2 

1

These percentages do not add to 100% because other fat-like substances are included in the total composition. 2

Includes fatty acids with chains from 4-24 carbon atoms. 

3

Suitable as salad oil. 

4

Mean values of selected samples may vary with brand name and date of manufacture. 

Source: U.S. Dept. Agr., Human Nutrition Information Service, Agricultural Handbook Nos. 8-1, Dairy and Egg 

Products, 1976; 8-9 Fruits and Fruit Juices, 1982; 8-12 Nuts and Seed Products, 1984; 8-15 Finfish and Shellfish Products, 

1988 and 1989 Supplement to Agricultural Handbook No. 8, 1990. 

45
Table 36—Fruit, vegetable, and juice containers: Dimensions, capacities, and conversion factors

Factor to multiply 

by to convert to— 

Industry designation Dimensions1

Total capacity 

avoirdupois 

ounces of 

water at 68°F 

Total capacity

grams of 

water at 

20°C 

No. 303 

equivalent 

No. 2 

equivalent 

No. 21⁄2

equivalent 

 Ounces Grams 

6Z 202 × 308 6.00 186.62 0.36 0.30 0.20 

8Z short 211 × 300 7.90 245.71 .47 .39 .27 

8Z tall 211 × 304 8.65 269.04 .51 .42 .29 

No. 1 flat 307 × 203 8.89 276.51 .53 .43 .30 

No. 1 picnic 211 × 400 10.90 339.02 .65 .53 .37 

No. 211 cylinder 211 × 414 13.55 421.45 .80 .66 .46 

No. 2 vacuum 

(12-ounce vacuum) 307 × 306 14.70 457.21 .87 .72 .49 

No. 300 300 × 407 15.20 472.77 .90 .74 .51 

No. 1 tall 301 × 411 16.60 516.31 .99 .81 .56 

No. 303 303 × 406 16.85 524.09 1.00 .82 .57 

No. 300 cylinder 300 × 509 19.40 603.40 1.15 .95 .65 

No. 2 307 × 409 20.50 637.61 1.22 1.00 .69 

No. 303 cylinder 303 × 509 21.85 679.60 1.30 1.07 .73 

No. 3 vacuum 404 × 307 23.85 741.81 1.42 1.16 .80 

Jumbo 307 × 510 25.70 799.35 1.53 1.26 .87 

No. 2 cylinder 307 × 512 26.35 819.56 1.56 1.28 .89 

No. 21⁄2 401 × 411 29.75 925.31 1.77 1.45 1.00 

29Z 307 × 700 32.50 1 010.85 1.93 1.58 1.09 

32Z (quart) 307 × 710 35.50 1 104.16 2.10 1.73 1.19 

No. 3 cylinder (46 ounces) 404 × 700 51.70 1 608.03 3.06 2.52 1.74 

No. 5 squat 603 × 408 68.15 2 119.67 4.03 3.32 2.29 

No. 10 603 × 700 109.45 3 404.22 6.48 5.34 3.67 

1

The first figures represent the diameter of the container and the second figures represent the height. The first digit 

represents inches and the second two digits represent sixteenths of an inch; that is, 307 is 3-7/16 inches. 

Source: National Canners Association.

46
Table 37—Canned fruits and vegetables: Case conversion factors by container designation

Factor to multiply 

by to convert to— Container designation Containers 

per case 

24/303's 

23/2's 24/21⁄2 

Number 

6Z 48 0.72 0.59 0.41 

8Z short 72 1.41 1.16 .80 

8Z tall 24 .52 .42 .29 

No. 1 flat 48 1.05 .87 .60 

No. 1 picnic 48 1.30 1.06 .73 

 

No. 211 cylinder 24 .80 .66 .46 

No. 2 vacuum (12-ounce vacuum) 24 .87 .72 .49 

No. 300 24 .90 .74 .51 

No. 1 tall 24 .99 .81 .56 

No. 303 24 1.00 .82 .57 

 

No. 300 cylinder 24 1.15 .94 .65 

No. 2 24 1.22 1.00 .69 

No. 3 vacuum 24 1.42 1.16 .80 

No. 21⁄2 24 1.77 1.45 1.00 

29Z 12 .96 .79 .55 

 

32Z (quart) 12 1.05 .86 .60 

No. 3 cylinder 12 1.53 1.26 .87 

No. 5 squat 6 1.01 .83 .57 

No. 10 6 1.62 1.33 .92 

 

Source: National Canners Association. 

47 
Table 38—Canned fruits: Factors relating to farm and processed weights

Farm weight Cases canned per metric 

ton farm weight1

Commodity Canned

Case 

No. 24 

2.5 pounds

Pounds 

canned 

from pounds

farm weight 24/21⁄2's 24/303's 6/10's

Cases of 

24/21⁄2's 

from pounds 

canned

Net weight 

per case 

24/21⁄2's

--------------- Pounds --------------- ------------------ Cases ------------------ Pounds

Citrus fruit: 

Citrus salad 2.10 91.32 0.48 19.86 35.19 21.59 0.02 43.50 

Grapefruit sections 2.02 87.72 .50 20.68 36.55 22.49 .02 43.50 

Orange sections 2.22 96.62 .45 18.77 33.20 20.41 .02 43.50 

 

Other fruit: 39.00 

Apples 1.86 72.46 .54 25.03 44.08 27.21 .03 

Applesauce 1.25 53.90 .80 33.65 59.50 36.73 .02 43.50 

Apricots .69 31.25 1.44 58.05 102.76 63.40 .02 45.00 

 

Berries: 

Blackberries .65 28.09 1.55 64.58 113.38 70.29 .02 43.50 

Blueberries .84 36.36 1.20 49.89 88.34 54.51 .02 43.50 

Boysenberries .69 29.24 1.44 62.04 108.84 67.48 .02 43.50 

Gooseberries .60 25.06 1.68 72.38 126.98 78.73 .02 43.50 

Loganberries .65 29.24 1.53 62.04 108.84 67.48 .02 43.50 

Raspberries .64 26.99 1.56 67.21 117.91 73.10 .02 43.50 

Strawberries .73 30.49 1.38 59.50 104.31 64.67 .02 43.50 

 

Cherries: 

Red tart-pitted 1.06 45.87 .95 39.55 69.66 42.99 .02 43.50 

Sweet-pitted 1.02 44.44 .98 40.82 72.20 44.44 .02 43.50 

Sweet-unpitted .71 30.77 1.41 58.96 104.31 64.22 .02 43.50 

 

Cranberries .39 16.31 2.58 111.20 195.012

 120.90 .02 48.00 

Figs .65 29.41 1.53 61.68 109.20 67.21 .02 45.00 

Fruit cocktail .89 40.00 1.13 45.35 80.27 49.43 .02 45.00 

Fruits for salad .89 40.00 1.13 45.35 80.27 49.43 .02 45.00 

Olives3

 .95 25.51 1.06 71.11 125.71 77.46 .04 27.00 

 

Peaches: 

Clingstone .84 36.36 1.20 49.89 88.34 54.51 .02 43.50 

Freestone 1.02 44.44 .98 40.82 72.20 44.44 .02 43.50 

Pears 1.00 43.48 1.00 41.72 73.83 45.44 .02 43.50 

Pineapple 1.71 76.92 .59 23.58 41.72 25.67 .02 45.00 

Plums, fresh .66 29.85 1.51 60.77 107.57 66.21 .02 45.00 

 

Note: Relationships between farm and processed weights for most commodities vary widely from season to season and between 

localities. Factors shown in this table represent average relationships for all producing areas. 1

Basic figure is 24/2's for citrus, 24/303's for applesauce and berries, 6/10's for apple slices and red tart cherries, 24/300's for 

cranberries, and 24/21⁄2's for other products. 2

Basis 24 cases of No. 300's. 

3

Drained weight. 

48
Table 39—Canned fruits and juices: Net weight per case1

Item Liquid 

contents 48, 8-ounce 24 No. 303 12 No. 3 cylinders 

 Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms 

Canned fruits: 

Citrus— 

Grapefruit and orange 

sections Syrup 24 10.9 24.0 10.9 37.5 17.0 

Grapefruit sections Water 24 10.9 NA NA NA NA 

 

 Type pack 24, 8-ounce tall 24 No. 303 24 No. 2.5 6 No. 10 

 Pounds Kilograms

Pounds KilogramsPounds KilogramsPounds Kilograms

Noncitrus— 

Apples Specific 

 

 gravity 0.95 NA NA 24.0 10.9 NA NA 40.5 18.3 

 Water NA NA NA NA NA NA 37.5 17.0 

Apple butter NA NA NA NA NA NA 46.5 21.1 

Applesauce Specific 

 gravity 1.07 NA NA 24.0 10.9 43.5 19.7 40.5 18.4 

Apricots Heavy syrup 13.1 5.9 24.0 10.9 45.0 20.4 40.5 18.4 

 Light syrup 12.8 5.8 24.0 10.9 43.5 19.7 39.8 18.1 

Blackberries Heavy syrup 12.8 5.8 24.0 10.9 NA NA 39.8 18.1 

 Light syrup 12.8 5.8 24.0 10.9 NA NA 39.4 17.9 

Cherries— Water 12.0 5.4 24.0 10.9 NA NA 38.6 17.5 

Unpitted Heavy syrup 13.1 5.9 24.0 10.9 45.0 20.4 40.5 18.4 

 Light syrup 12.8 5.8 24.0 10.9 43.5 19.7 39.8 18.1 

Pitted Heavy syrup 13.1 5.9 24.0 10.9 43.5 19.7 40.5 18.4 

 Water 12.0 5.4 24.0 10.9 42.0 19.1 38.6 17.5 

Cranberry sauce 42% solids NA NA 24.0 10.9 NA NA 43.9 19.9 

Figs Heavy syrup 13.1 5.9 25.5 11.6 45.0 20.4 41.3 18.7 

Fruit cocktail Extra heavy syrup 13.1 5.9 25.5 11.6 45.0 20.4 41.3 18.7 

 Heavy syrup 13.1 5.9 24.0 10.9 45.0 20.4 40.5 18.4 

Fruit for salad Extra heavy syrup 13.1 5.9 25.5 11.6 45.0 20.4 41.3 18.7 

 Heavy syrup 13.1 5.9 24.0 10.9 45.0 20.4 40.5 18.4 

Grapes Extra heavy syrup 12.4 5.6 24.0 10.9 45.0 20.4 41.3 18.7 

 Heavy syrup 12.4 5.6 24.0 10.9 NA NA NA NA 

Peaches Heavy syrup 13.1 5.9 24.0 10.9 43.5 19.7 40.5 18.4 

 Light syrup 12.8 5.8 24.0 10.9 43.5 19.7 39.8 18.1 

Pears Heavy syrup 12.8 5.8 24.0 10.9 43.5 19.7 39.8 18.1 

 Light syrup 12.8 5.8 24.0 10.9 43.5 19.7 39.4 17.9 

Pineapple Heavy syrup NA NA NA NA 44.3 20.1 40.5 18.4 

 Water NA NA NA NA NA NA 39.8 18.1 

Plums Heavy syrup 13.2 6.0 24.0 10.9 45.0 20.4 NA NA 

 Light syrup 12.8 5.8 24.0 10.9 43.5 19.7 39.8 18.1 

Prunes, stewed Extra heavy syrup NA NA NA NA 45.0 20.4 41.3 18.7 

 Heavy syrup NA NA NA NA NA NA 40.5 18.4 

________________________ 

See footnote at end of table. Continued—

49
Table 39—Canned fruits and juices: Net weight per case1

—Continued

Item 48, 6.5-ounce 24 No. 2 12 No. 3 cylinders 24 No. 2.5 

Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms

Canned juices: 

Citrus— 

Blended citrus 19.5 8.8 29.6 13.4 37.3 16.9 8.7 3.9 

Grapefruit 19.5 8.8 29.6 13.4 37.3 16.9 8.7 3.9 

Lemon and lime NA NA 29.2 13.2 36.8 16.7 8.6 3.9 

Orange 19.5 8.8 29.6 13.4 37.3 16.9 8.7 3.9 

Tangerine 19.5 8.8 29.6 13.4 37.3 16.9 8.7 3.9 

 

 24 No. 2 12/32Z glass 12/40Z glass Gallon 

Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms

Noncitrus— 

Apple 29.9 13.6 26.2 11.9 32.8 14.9 8.8 4.0 

Grape 30.6 13.9 26.5 12.0 33.0 15.0 9.0 4.1 

Nectar 29.9 13.6 26.0 11.8 32.5 14.7 8.8 4.0 

Pineapple 29.9 13.6 26.2 11.9 32.8 14.9 8.8 4.0 

Prune (18.5° Brix)2

 NA NA 26.7 12.1 33.4 15.1 NA NA 

 

NA = Not available. 

1

Weights are derived from Net Contents Statements for Canned Food Labels, 1977, National Canners Association. 2

A hydrometer scale for measuring the sugar content of a solution at a given temperature. 

50
Table 40—Fruit juices and concentrates: Factors relating to farm and processed weights1

Equivalent farm 

weight per— Fruit and specification Approximate 

Brix2

Gallon Liter 

Gallons per unit of 

farm weight Processed weight 

Degrees Pounds Kilograms Box3 Ton Pounds 

per gallon

Kilograms

per liter

Apple: 

Single-strength juice 13 12.0 20.6 NA 170 8.8 15.11 

Frozen 3-to-1 concentrate 45 47.0 80.7 NA 43 10.0 17.17 

 

Citrus fruits:4

 

Orange— 

Single-strength juice 12 16.0 27.5 5.5 122 8.7 14.94 

Frozen concentrate 45 69.0 118.5 1.3 29 10.0 17.17 

Grapefruit— 

Single-strength juice 10 18.0 30.9 4.7 110 8.7 14.94 

Frozen concentrate 40 83.0 142.5 1.0 24 9.8 16.83 

Lemon— 

Single-strength juice 5 26.0 44.6 2.9 76 NA NA 

Nonfrozen concentrate 5 112.0 192.3 .7 17.9 NA NA 

Concentrate for lemonade 5 18.0 30.9 4.2 110 NA NA 

 

Grape: 

Single-strength juice 16 11.0 18.9 NA 175 8.9 15.28 

Frozen concentrate 50 40.0 68.7 NA 50 10.3 17.68 

Pineapple: 

Single-strength juice 14 15.0 25.8 NA 133 8.8 15.11 

4-to-1 concentrate 61 75.0 128.8 NA 27 10.8 18.54 

3-to-1 concentrate 50 60.0 103.0 NA 33 10.3 17.68 

Prune (from fresh prunes): 

Single-strength juice 31 13.0 22.3 NA 155 9.4 16.14 

1.5-to-1 concentrate 73 32.0 54.9 NA 62 11.4 19.57 

 

NA = Not available. 

1

For additional information on concentration of fruit juices, see U.S. Dept. Agr., Agricultural Research Service, Calculations of 

Volume and Weight Reduction in the Concentration of Fruit Juices, ARS 74-7, June 1956. 2

A hydrometer scale for measuring the sugar content of a solution at a given temperature. 

3

Oranges, 90 pounds (41 kilograms); grapefruit, 85 pounds (39 kilograms); and lemons, 76 pounds (34 kilograms). 4

Orange and grapefruit products based on Florida yields; lemons on California yields. 5

Lemon product yields are based on a standard ton containing 36.5 pounds of anhydrous citric acid. 

51
Table 41—Dehydrated and dried fruits: Relationship between farm and processed weights

Factors for converting to— 

Commodity Farm weight from 

natural condition weight 

Farm weight from 

packed processed weight 

Packed processed weight 

from natural condition weight 

Apples 8.00 8.00 1.00 

Apricots 6.00 5.56 1.08 

Dates:1

 

Whole 1.00 1.00 1.00 

Pitted NA 1.14 .88 

Figs 3.00 2.94 1.02 

Peaches: 

Cling 7.50 6.94 1.08 

Freestone— 

Elberta 7.00 6.48 1.08 

Other 6.00 5.55 1.08 

Pears 6.50 6.31 1.03 

Prunes:2

 

California 2.90 2.60 1.04 

Pacific Northwest 3.14 3.05 1.03 

Raisins: 

Thompson, sultana3

 4.30 4.62 .93 

Golden seedless 4.30 4.53 .95 

Muscat, seeded 4.00 5.00 .80 

NA = Not available. 

1

Includes only farm sales of dates for human consumption after farm cullage. Average farm sales of cull dates directly 

into nonfood channels estimated at 14% of U.S. production. 2

To convert canned dried prunes to dried prunes, multiply by 0.691085. 3

Includes unseeded muscats. 

52
Table 42—Fruits, dehydrated (low moisture); Relationship between farm and processed weights

Fruit and Packaged weight of dehydrated product 

specifications No. 10 can Gallon can 

Units of fresh product to make 

a unit of dehydrated product 

Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms Pounds Kilograms 

Apples: NA NA 

Wedges 2.0 0.9 NA NA NA NA 

Slices 2.0 .9 NA NA NA NA 

Diced 2.4 1.1 NA NA 10.0 4.5 

Nuggets 2.5 1.1 NA NA NA NA 

Powder NA NA 5 2.3 NA NA 

Apricots: 

Slices 2.75 1.2 NA NA NA NA 

Diced 3.5 1.6 NA NA NA NA 

Nuggets 3.5 1.6 NA NA 7.1 3.2 

Powder NA NA 6 2.7 NA NA 

Cherries, sour-pitted .7 .3 NA NA 7.0 3.2 

Dates: 

Nuggets 3.5 1.6 NA NA NA NA 

Powder 3.5 1.6 6 2.7 1.751

 .8 

Figs: 

Slices 3.0 1.4 NA NA NA NA 

Powder NA NA 6 2.7 1.351

 .6 

Peaches: 

Slices 2.0 .9 NA NA NA NA 

Diced 3.0 1.4 NA NA NA NA 

Nuggets 3.0 1.4 NA NA 7.0- 8.0 3.2-3.6 

Powder NA NA 6 2.7 

Pears, slices 1.5 .7 NA NA 11.0-12.0 5.0-5.4 

Prunes: 

Whole pitted 3.0 1.4 NA NA NA NA 

Nuggets 3.0 1.4 NA NA 1.711

 .8 

Powder NA NA 6 2.7 

Strawberries, freeze-dried .7 .3 NA NA 11.0-14.0 5.0-6.4 

NA = Not available. 

1

From commercially dried fruit. 

53
Table 43—Frozen fruits and vegetables: Estimated average relationship between 

farm and processed weights

Factors for converting to— 

Commodity Percentage 

recovery 

Farm weight 

from 

frozen weight 

Frozen weight 

from farm 

weight1

Approximate 

fruit-tosugar ratio2

Percent 

Frozen fruits: 

Apples 60 1.67 0.60 0 or 7 to 1 

Apricots 78 1.10 .91 6 or 8 to 1 

Berries— 

Blackberries 95 1.05 .95 0 

Blueberries 97 1.03 .97 0 

Boysenberries 88 1.14 .88 0 

Gooseberries 97 1.03 .97 0 

Loganberries 88 1.14 .88 0 

Raspberries 95 1.05 .95 0 

Strawberries 93 .89 1.12 5 or 4 to 1 

Cherries, sour 75 1.11 .90 5 to 1 

Cherries, sweet 85 1.18 .85 0 

Grapes 85 1.18 .85 0 

Peaches 67 1.25 .80 5 to 1 

Pineapples 50 1.60 .625 4 to 1 

Prunes 85 1.18 .85 0 

 

Frozen vegetables: 

Asparagus 52 1.92 .52 2 

Broccoli 75 1.33 .75 2 

Brussels sprouts 75 1.33 .75 2 

Carrots 55 1.82 .55 2 

Cauliflower 70 1.43 .70 2 

Com, cut 27 3.70 .27 2 

Lima beans3

 95 1.05 .95 2 

Okra 85 1.18 .85 2 

Other greens 75 1.33 .75 2 

Peas, green3

 92 1.09 .92 2 

Peas, southern 50 2.00 .50 2 

Peppers, sweet 70 1.43 .70 2 

Potatoes, white 40 2.50 .40 2 

Snap beans 85 1.18 .85 2 

Spinach 70 1.43 .70 2 

Squash 55 1.82 .55 2 

Sweetpotatoes 50 2.00 .50 2 

1

Frozen weight is weight of frozen fruit plus sugar content. Where more than one fruit-to-sugar ratio is shown, the first 

is used in this computation. 2

Fruit-to-sugar ratio does not apply to vegetables. 

3

Shelled.

54
Table 44—Fruits and vegetables: Relationship between weights of freeze-dried and frozen products1

Frozen food Moisture content 

Freeze-dried weight as 

percentage of 

frozen weight 

Factors to convert 

freeze-dried weight to 

frozen weight 

 Percent 

Apples, uncooked, sliced, sweetened 73.3 0.27 3.7 

Apricots, uncooked 85.4 .15 6.7 

Blueberries, uncooked, unsweetened 85.0 .15 6.5 

Broccoli, cooked or uncooked 90.6 .96 10.4 

Brussels sprouts, cooked or uncooked 89.3 .11 9.2 

Cauliflower, cooked or uncooked 92.9 .72 13.9 

Green peas, cooked 81.7 .19 5.4 

Green peppers, cooked 94.7 .54 18.5 

Mushrooms, uncooked, whole, 

pieces or sliced 90.4 .98 10.2 

Pears, uncooked pieces or sliced 82.7 .18 5.7 

Pineapples, uncooked slices or 

chunks, sweetened 77.1 .23 4.3 

Plums, Italian, uncooked pieces 

or sliced 78.7 .22 4.6 

Raspberries, red, uncooked 74.3 .26 3.8 

Snap beans, cooked 91.6 .86 11.6 

Strawberries, whole, uncooked 75.5 .25 4.0 

1

Freeze-dried products contain 2% moisture. 

55
Table 45—Canned vegetables: Factors relating to farm and processed weights

Pounds farm weight Cases canned per ton farm weight1

Commodity From pounds

canned 

From case 

No. 24/303's 

Pounds 

canned 

from pounds

farm weight 24/303's 24 21⁄2's 6/10's 

Cases 

24/303's 

from pounds

canned 

Net weight 

per case 

24/303's 

----------------- Pounds ----------------- ----------------- Cases ----------------- Pounds

Asparagus 1.220 28.57 .819 70 39.5 43.2 0.043 23.4 

Beets 1.290 31.75 .755 63 35.6 38.9 .041 24.6 

Carrots 1.333 32.79 .750 61 34.5 37.7 .041 24.6 

 

Corn: 

Cream style 2.033 50.00 .492 40 22.6 24.7 .041 24.6 

Whole grain 2.538 62.50 .394 32 18.1 19.8 .041 24.6 

 

Lima beans2

 .625 15.38 1.599 130 73.4 80.2 .041 24.6 

Mushrooms 1.403 34.48 .713 58 32.8 35.8 .041 24.6 

Okra 1.030 24.10 .971 83 46.9 51.2 .043 23.4 

Peas2

 .739 18.18 1.353 110 62.1 67.9 .041 24.6 

Pickles .744 17.86 1.344 112 63.8 69.4 .042 30.0 

Pimentos 2.410 57.14 .415 35 19.8 21.6 .042 23.7 

Potatoes, white 1.572 37.74 .636 53 29.9 28.7 .042 24.0 

Pumpkin and squash 2.710 66.67 .369 30 16.9 18.5 .041 24.6 

 

Sauerkraut 1.859 43.48 .538 46 26.0 28.4 .043 23.4 

Snap beans .712 16.67 1.404 120 67.8 74.1 .043 23.4 

Spinach .901 20.00 1.110 100 56.5 61.7 .045 22.2 

Sweetpotatoes 1.292 30.77 .784 65 36.7 40.1 .042 23.8 

Tomatoes 1.553 36.36 .644 55 31.1 34.0 .043 23.4 

Tomato catsup3

 2.457 66.67 .407 30 17.1 18.6 .037 27.1 

Tomato juice 1.527 36.36 .655 55 31.1 34.0 .042 23.8 

Tomato paste3

 5.432 142.86 .184 14 8.0 8.7 .038 26.3 

Tomato puree4

 3.247 80.00 .308 25 14.2 15.5 .041 24.6 

1

Basic figure is yield of 24/303's per ton. One case 24/303's is equivalent to 0.57 cases 24/21⁄2's and 0.62 cases 6/10's. 2

Shelled basis. 

3

33% solids. 

4

11% solids. 

56
Table 46—Vegetables, dehydrated: Relationship between farm and processed weights and weight of product per 

5-gallon container

Moisture content Factors for converting to—2

Commodity Average 

for raw 

material 

Dehydrated 

product 

Average 

losses1

Processed 

weight from

farm weight 

Equivalent 

farm weight 

from processed 

Product Weight of product per 

5-gallon container 

----------------------------- Percent ----------------------------- Pounds Kilograms

Asparagus 92 4 55 0 27.0 Dice 8 3.6 

 Powder 17 7.7 

Beans, green 89 4 30 0.08 12.5 1⁄2-inch cut 7 3.2 

Beets without tops 87 4 10 .12 8.2 Powder 30 13.6 

 

Cabbage 92 4 30 .05 21.0 Dice 9 4.1 

 Powder 30 13.6 

Carrots 86 4 35 .10 10.5 Dice 10-20 4.5-9.1 

 Powder 35 15.9 

Celery: 

Stalk and leaf flakes 93 35 10 .07 15.4 Flakes 3-6 1.4-2.7 

Stalk slice 94 3.5 25 .05 21.2 Slice 6 2.7 

Garlic 71 5 15 .26 4.0 Sliced 15 6.8 

 Powder 30 13.6 

Greens 92 4 20-50 .04-.07 15-25 Flakes 8 3.6 

 Powder 18 8.2 

Horseradish 70 5 20 .025 4.0 Powder 20 9.1 

Leek 88 4 27 .091 11.0 Powder 22 10.0 

 

Okra 90 5 13 .091 11.0 Powder 22 10.0 

Onion 88 4 11 .11 9.0 Flakes 10-15 4.5-6.8 

 Powder 25 11.3 

Onions, green tops 90 4 20 .083 12.0 Flakes 6 2.7 

 Minced 8 3.6 

Parsley 89 4 15 .10 10.3 Flakes 4 1.8 

 Powder 20 9.1 

Peas, green 78 4 10 .20 5.0 Powder 18 8.2 

Peppers: 

Green bell 93 3.5 40 .05 20.4 Dice 8 3.6 

 Powder 20 9.1 

Red bell 90 5.5 38 .06 15.6 Dice 10 4.5 

 Powder 25 11.3 

Pimento 89 4 65 .04 25.0 Powder 25 11.3 

Potatoes 80 6 40 .125 8.0 Dice 17 7.7 

 78 6 33 .14-.17 5.9-7.1 Granules 36 16.3 

 80 4.5 33 .14-.17 5.9-7.1 Flakes 10 4.5 

Pumpkin 91 5 13 .083 12.0 Powder 25 11.3 

 

Spinach 90 4 10 .094 10.6 Powder 18 8.2 

Sweetpotato flakes 69 3 23.5 .143 7.0 — — — 

Turnips 91 5 33 .063 16.0 Dice 14 6.4 

 Powder 25 11.3 

Tomato flakes 93 4 20 .058 17.0 Flakes 12 5.4 

— = Not applicable. 

1

Includes fines and defects removed during the final inspection of dried product and other process losses. 2

Successful dehydration of many of these vegetables depends upon the ability to divert undesirable sizes and/or grades to other 

kinds of processing. If such outlets are not available, shrinkage ratios will be greater than shown. 

57
Table 47—Dehydrofrozen fruits and vegetables: Relationship between moisture content of 

product and weight reduction

Percentage moisture content in product 

at percentage weight reduction of— Percentage original 

moisture content 

50 60 70 80 

Percent

95 90 87.5 83.3 75 

90 80 75.0 66.7 50 

85 70 62.5 50.0 25 

80 60 50.0 33.3 0 

75 50 37.5 16.7 — 

70 40 25.0 0 — 

65 30 12.5 — — 

60 20 0 — — 

55 10 — — — 

50 0 — — — 

— = Not applicable. 

Table 48—Dehydrofrozen fruits and vegetables: Relationship between prepared material and product

Commodity Units of prepared material to produce pound dehydrofrozen product1

Pounds Kilograms

Apples 2 0.91 

Carrots 2 .91 

Cherries 2-2.5 .9-1.1 

Green peas 2 .91 

Pimentos 3 1.36 

Potatoes: 

Piece form 2 .91 

Mashed 4 1.81 

 

1

After peeling, trimming, and cutting. Preparation losses should be the same as for freezing. 

58
Table 49—Fruit and vegetable juice powders: Factors relating to farm and processed weights

Factors for converting to—

Commodity

Approximate 

percentage 

solids content 

of juice

Yield of juice 

as a percentage 

of raw material

Processed 

weight from 

farm weight

Equivalent farm 

weight from 

processed weight

----------- Percent ----------- 

Apple 12 75 0.092 11

Citrus: 

Grapefruit 11 49 .055 18

Lemon 9 40 .037 27

Orange 13 55 .072 14

Grape 17 75 .130 8

Pineapple1 15 58 .089 11

Prune 32 74 .250 4

Tomato 6.4 70 .045 22

1

Assuming juice is only product. In practice, however, juice is made only from edible grade peels, cores, trimmings, and 

sortouts. 

Table 50—Potatoes: Estimated conversion factors for selected products

Products Farm 

weight

Finished 

product

Farm 

weight

Finished 

product Recovery

To obtain farm 

weight equivalent, 

multiply product 

weight by—

---------- Pounds ---------- ---------- Kilograms ---------- Percent Number

Chips 100 33.31 45.4 15.1 33.31 3.0

Frozen 100 50.0 45.4 22.7 50.0 2.0

Starch: 

Idaho 100 12.5 45.4 5.7 12.5 8.00

Maine 100 9.3 45.4 4.2 9.3 10.75

Average 100 11.1 45.4 5.0 11.1 9.00

Note: In commercial potato-peeling plants, preparation loss, including waste and shrinkage, ranged from 5% to 48%, 

averaging approximately 25%. 1

From potatoes with 1.075 specific gravity.

59
Table 51—Tree nuts: Relationship between shelled and in-shell, and between farm and retail weights

Factors for converting to— 

Commodity Shelled weight 

from in-shell 

weight 

In-shell equivalent 

from shelled weight 

Retail weight from 

orchard-run1

Orchard-run 

equivalent from 

retail weight1

Almonds: 

Domestic2 0.60 1.67 0.95 1.05 

Imported .30 3.33 NA NA 

Brazil nuts .50 2.00 NA NA 

Cashews .22 4.55 NA NA 

Chestnuts .84 1.19 NA NA 

 

Filberts: 

Domestic .40 2.50 .95 1.05 

Imported .45 2.22 NA NA 

Macadamias (Hawaii) .38 2.63 NA NA 

 

Pecans: 

Domestic— 

Improved .50 2.00 .91 1.10 

Seedling .38 2.63 .91 1.10 

Imported .50 2.00 NA NA 

 

Pistachios .43 2.33 .33 1.67 

 

Walnuts, English: 

Domestic3

 .40 2.50 .87 1.15 

Imported .42 2.38 NA NA 

Walnuts, black .17 5.88 NA NA 

 

NA = Not available. 

1

Orchard-run weight before culling. Both orchard-run and retail weight are in-shell basis. 2

Average for domestic crop in recent years. The following illustrate the variation among various varieties: Nonpareil, 

Merced, and Thompson 0.60; mission 0.40; Peerless 0.35. Peerless is frequently marketed in-shell. 3

Average for portion of crop shelled commercially. Equivalent shelled and in-shell ratio for graded walnuts sold in-shell

is 0.45, and average for entire U.S. walnut crop is 0.40. 

Table 52—Yield of product per unit of coffee or tea1

Commodity Yield of product 

Coffee (green or decaffeinated) 0.84 units roasted coffee, or 

 .4 units instant soluble 

Tea (dry leaf basis) .4 units instant soluble 

1

A standard 60-kilogram bag of green coffee equals 132.276 pounds. 

60 
Table 53—Raw sugar content per pound of specified sugar products

Sugar in specified units of product1

Product Raw Refined Raw Refined 

---------- Pounds ---------- ---------- Kilograms ----------

Brown sugar 0.963 0.90 0.437 0.408 

Invert sugar .856 .80 .388 .363 

Lump sugar 1.070 1.00 .485 .454 

Powdered sugar2

 1.038 .97 .471 .440 

Sugar, granulated 1.070 1.00 .485 .454 

 

Invert syrup: 

High invert .740 .69 .336 .313 

Medium invert .790 .74 .358 .336 

Sucrose syrup .690 .64 .313 .290 

 

1

Raw value is 96° polar sugar. 

2

Powdered sugar contains about 3% cornstarch to prevent lumping. 

Table 54—Sugar content of canned fruits

Added refined cane and beet sugar1

Canned product

Natural 

fruit 

sugar Weight in 24 No. 21⁄2 cans Sugar content

Percent Pounds Kilograms Percent

Apricots 14.4 2.97 1.35 6.6

Cherries (sweet) 13.9 2.75 1.25 6.1

Figs 19.0 .90 .41 2.0

Fruit cocktail 11.0 3.15 1.43 7.0

Fruit for salad 9.9 3.52 1.60 8.1

Peaches 11.8 3.13 1.42 7.2

Pears 11.6 2.78 1.26 6.4

Plums 14.8 2.79 1.27 6.2

 

1

Based on the finished canned product packed in heavy syrup.

61
Table 55—Refined beet and cane sugar in confectionery products

Product Share of refined 

sugar in product Product Share of refinedsugar in product 

Percent Percent

Confections:1 Confections:1—Continued 

Candy— Chocolate coated candies— 

Uncoated candies— Marshmallows 45 

Caramels 30-45 Nougats 45 

Creams, candy corn, Peanuts and nut meats 40 

crystallized creams, 

and other 70 Bars, uncoated— 

Grained mint types, and Nougats, taffy, caramels, jelly, 

other so-called pure sugar 90 and other 40 

Fudges 40-45 Peanut brittle 30-67 

Hard candies such as fruit 

drops, Christmas candies, Solid chocolate, stars, and other— 

and other 50-75 Bittersweet chocolate 40 

Jellies, soft, sugar-sanded 45 Sweet chocolate 50 

Jellies, jube jel 35 Milk chocolate 55 

Lozenges, sugar wafers, and 

pressed tablets 90 Coated bars chocolate or 

Marshmallows 45 confectioners coatings— 

Marshmallows, grain, circus Caramel-nougat 45 

peanuts, and other 57 Coconut 40 

Nougats 40 Creamed 65 

Taffy, English-type 50 Fudge 52 

Taffy, wrapped 25 Marshmallows 52 

 Nougats 48 

Sugar-panned candies— Peanut brittle 50 

Jelly beans and related products 60 Peanut or nut roll bar 35 

Caramels 60 

Chocolate centers 65 Novelty chocolate bars— 

Creams 70 Almond 40 

Fudges 75 Cereal 40 

Hard candies such as cinnamon Peanut 40 

drops 70 

Marshmallows 80 Miscellaneous candy— 

Peanut and nut meats 50 Chocolate 38 

 Nonchocolate 52 

Chocolate coated candies— Unspecified 45 

Brittles, nut or peanut 50 

Caramels 35 Chewing gum 56 

Creams, assorted 60 Chocolate, sweetened cooking 50 

Fruits such as cordial cherries 60 Cocoa, beverage powder (military) 52 

Fudges 52 Fruit peel, candied 70 

Jellies 25-50 Popcorn, candied 60 

 

1

The sugar content of confections may vary as much as 10% from the indicated figures. 

62 
Table 56—Refined beet and cane sugar content of specified products

Product Unit Weight of refined sugar 

per unit of product 

 Pounds Kilograms

Dairy products: 

Chocolate milk Pound 0.05-0.07 0.02-0.03 

Condensed milk, sweetened Pound .42 .19 

 48, 14-ounce cans 17.64 8.00 

Condensed skim milk, sweetened Pound .40 .18 

Ice cream Pound .15 .07 

 Gallon (4.7 pounds) .70 .32 

Ice cream mix: 

Paste Pound .36 .16 

Powder do. .40 .18 

Sherbet do. .28 .13 

Water ice do. .29 .13 

 

Dessert powders: 

Custard or starch pudding powder do. .61 .28 

Gelatin-base powders do. .85 .39 

Fountain syrups and soft drinks: 

Beverage powders, synthetic lemon or orange1

 — — — 

Butterscotch or marshmallow topping Pound .40 .18 

 Gallon (11 pounds) 4.40 2.00 

 6 No. 10 cans 19.80 8.98 

Chocolate syrup for topping Pound .26 .12 

 Gallon (11 pounds) 2.86 1.30 

 6 No. 10 cans 12.87 5.84 

Chocolate syrup for beverages Pound .38 .17 

 Gallon (10.27 pounds) 3.90 1.77 

 6 No. 10 cans 17.55 7.96 

Cola, clear fruit or other soft drink syrups Pound .55 .25 

 Gallon (10.5 pounds) 5.80 2.63 

Cola-type soft drinks, bottled Pound .10 .05 

 Gallon (8.65 pounds) .866 .39 

 24, 7-ounce bottles 1.14 .52 

 24, 12-ounce bottles 1.95 .88 

Fruit flavored soft drinks Pound .12 .05 

 Gallon (8.7 pounds) 1.05 .48 

 24, 7-ounce bottles 1.37 .62 

 24, 12-ounce bottles 2.36 1.07 

Ginger ale, bottled Pound .084 .04 

 Gallon (8.6 pounds) .722 .33 

 24, 12-ounce bottles 1.62 .73 

Fruit products: 

Fruit, frozen Pound .20 .09 

Fruit products, other— 

Apple butter do. .29 .13 

Jellies, jams, and preserves do. .55 .25 

Marmalade do. .67 .30 

Mincemeat do. .35 .16 

Miscellaneous: 

Mayonnaise do. .10 .05 

 Gallon .81 .37 

Pickles, sweet Pound .35 .16 

Salad dressing do. .24 .11 

 Gallon 2.11 .96 

— = Not applicable. 1

Synthetic beverage powders are sweetened with corn syrup and dextrose. 

63
Table 57—Net weights, sugar solids content, and total solids content per unit of specified products 

at 20° Celsius1

Product Unit2 Net weight 

per unit 

Total sugar 

solids content3

Total 

solid content 

 

Corn syrup, regular 42° Baume Pound 1.00 .78 0.78 

 Kilogram .45 .35 .36 

 No. 10 can 8.88 6.92 6.95 

 Gallon 11.68 9.11 9.15 

 Liter 44.21 34.48 34.63 

 

Corn sugar or dextrose (hydrate) Pound 1.00 .92 .92 

 Kilogram .45 .42 .42 

Honey Pound 1.00 .78 .83 

 Kilogram .45 .35 .38 

 Gallon 11.84 9.24 9.83 

 Liter 44.81 34.97 37.21 

 

Maple syrup Pound 1.00 .64 .66 

 Kilogram .45 .29 .30 

 Gallon 11.03 7.06 7.28 

 Liter 41.75 26.72 27.55 

 

Maple syrup, imitation: 

Thin type Pound 1.00 .66 .66 

 Kilogram .45 .30 .30 

 Gallon 11.03 7.28 7.28 

 Liter 41.75 27.55 27.55 

 

Thick type Pound 1.00 .73 .73 

 Kilogram .45 .33 .33 

 Gallon 11.39 8.31 8.31 

 Liter 43.11 31.45 31.45 

 

Maple sugar Pound 1.00 .87 .90 

 Kilogram .45 .39 .41 

Molasses, edible, first centrifugal:4

 

U.S. grade A Pound 1.00 .635 .79 

 Kilogram .45 .29 .36 

 No. 10 can 8.91 5.66 7.04 

 Gallon 11.72 7.44 9.26 

 Liter 44.36 28.16 35.05 

 

U.S. grade B Pound 1.00 .615 79 

 Kilogram .45 .28 35.83 

 No. 10 can 8.91 5.48 7.04 

 Gallon 11.72 7.21 9.26 

 Liter 44.36 27.29 35.05 

 

See footnotes at end of table. Continued—

64
Table 57—Net weights, sugar solids content, and total solids content per unit of specified products 

at 20° Celsius1

—Continued

Product Unit2

Net weight 

per unit 

Total sugar 

solids content3

Total 

solid content 

Molasses, edible, first centrifugal:4—Continued 

U.S. grade C Pound 1.00 0.58 0.79 

 Kilogram .45 .26 .36 

 No. 10 can 8.91 5.17 7.04 

 Gallon 11.72 6.80 9.26 

 Liter 44.36 25.74 35.05 

 

Molasses, inedible blackstrap5 6

 Pound 1.00 .50 .795 

 Kilogram .45 .23 .36 

 Gallon 11.74 5.87 9.33 

 Liter 44.44 22.22 35.31 

 Tank car 93,920 46,960 74,666 

 

Refiner's syrup:7

 

U.S. grade A Pound 1.00 .66 .72 

 Kilogram .45 .30 .33 

 Gallon 11.34 7.51 8.16 

 Liter 42.92 28.43 30.89 

 

U.S. grade B Pound 1.00 .62 .72 

 Kilogram .45 .28 .33 

 Gallon 11.34 7.02 8.16 

 Liter 42.92 26.57 30.89 

 

U.S. grade C Pound 1.00 .59 .76 

 Kilogram .45 .27 .34 

 Gallon 11.55 6.85 8.78 

 Liter 43.72 25.93 33.23 

 

U.S. grade D Pound 1.00 .53 .76 

 Kilogram .45 .24 .34 

 Gallon 11.55 6.14 8.78 

 Liter 43.72 23.24 33.23 

 

Sugar cane syrup: 

U.S. grade B, unsulfured Pound 1.00 .68 .74 

 Kilogram .45 .31 .34 

 No. 10 can 8.70 5.92 6.44 

 Gallon 11.45 7.79 8.47 

 Liter 43.34 29.49 32.06 

 

U.S. grade B, sulfured Pound 1.00 .65 .74 

 Kilogram .45 .29 .34 

 No. 10 can 8.70 5.66 6.44 

 Gallon 11.45 7.44 8.47 

Liter 43.34 28.16 32.06 

See footnotes at end of table. Continued—

65
Table 57—Net weights, sugar solids content, and total solids content per unit of specified products 

at 20° Celsius1

—Continued

Product Unit2 Net weight 

per unit

Total sugar 

solids content3

Total 

solid content

Sorgo syrup Pound 1.00 0.68 0.76

Kilogram .45 .31 .34

No. 10 can 8.78 5.97 6.67

Gallon 11.55 7.85 8.78

Liter 43.72 29.71 33.23

1

A temperature scale that registers the freezing point of water at 0°C and boiling point of 100°C. To convert °F to °C, 

subtract 32 and multiply by 5/9; to convert °C to °F multiply by 9/5 and add 32. 2

The No. 10 can is estimated to contain 0.76 gallon, based on internal volume of 189.7 cubic inches and 93% full when 

cold. 3

Total sugar solids refers to all sugars, not only sucrose. The sugar content of all products, except corn syrup and honey, 

consists of one or more of the following sugars: dextrose, levulose (monosaccharides), and sucrose (disaccharide). Corn 

syrup, regular, 42° Baume contains 34% of mono, di, tri saccharides, which types of sugars are generally associated with 

sweetness. These types include dextrose and maltose (disaccharide). In addition, corn syrup contains 44% higher sugars 

(polymers of dextrose) which have little or no sweetness. Baume is a hydrometer scale that separately covers liquids with 

specific gravities greater and less than 1. The sugar content of honey averages 38% levulose, 31% dextrose, 7% maltose, 

1.5% sucrose, and 1.5% higher sugars. 4

U.S. grade A is based on minimum total sugar content of 63.5% and minimum density of 79° Brix. U.S. grade B is 

based on a minimum total sugar percentage of 61.5% and minimum density of 79° Brix. U.S. grade C is based on a 

minimum total sugar content of 58.0% and minimum density of 79° Brix. Brix is a hydrometer scale for measuring the 

sugar content of a solution at a given temperature. 5

Based on average total sugar content of 50% and minimum density of 79.5° Brix. 

6

One gallon of ethanol made from 2.4 gallons of inedible blackstrap molasses. 

7

U.S. grade A is based on Brix solids content of not less than 72% and a ratio of total sugars to Brix solids of not less 

than 92%. U.S. grade B is based on a Brix solids content of not less than 72% and a ratio of total sugars to Brix solids of 

not less than 86%. U.S. grade C is based on Brix content of not less than 76% and a ratio of total sugar to Brix solids of 

not less than 78%. U.S. grade D is based on a Brix content of not less than 76% and a ratio of total sugars to Brix solids 

of not less than 70%. For a definition of Brix, see footnote 4.

66
Table 58—Factors for converting cotton acreages, cotton, and cotton products to equivalents1

From To obtain Multiply by 

Acreage: 

Planted Acreage harvested 0.926 

 Cottonseed produced, tons .472 

 Cottonseed crushed, tons .296 

 Cotton produced, 480-pound bales 1.208 

 Cotton produced, pounds 580.018 

 

Harvested Acreage harvested 1.080 

 Cottonseed produced, tons .510 

 Cottonseed crushed, tons .319 

 Cotton produced, 480-pound bales 1.305 

 Cotton produced, pounds 626.395 

 

Cottonseed produced: 

Tons Cottonseed crushed, tons .627 

 Linters, tons .089 

Pounds Seed cotton, pounds 1.647 

 

Cottonseed crushed: 

Tons Linters, tons .090 

 Cottonseed crude oil produced, tons .167 

 Cottonseed meal produced, tons .457 

 

Cottonseed produced: 

480-pound bales Cottonseed produced, tons .391 

 Cottonseed crushed, tons .245 

 Cottonseed crude oil produced, tons .041 

 Cottonseed meal produced, tons .112 

 Linters, tons .035 

 

Pounds Cottonseed produced, pounds 1.629 

 Cottonseed crushed, pounds 1.020 

 Cottonseed crude oil produced, pounds .171 

 Cottonseed meal produced, pounds .466 

 Linters, pounds .146 

 Seed cotton, pounds2

 3.432 

 

Cotton: 

480-pound bales Running bales .973 

Running bales 480-pound bales 1.028 

 

Seed cotton: 

Pounds Cotton produced, pounds2

 .382 

 Cottonseed produced, pounds2

 .618 

1

All figures based on the 5-year average, 1985/86-1989/90. 

2

Cotton production plus cottonseed production. Cottonseed for planting: The 1971/72-1975/76 5-year average quantity 

of cottonseed used for planting 1 acre of cotton was 27.4 pounds per acre. One pound per acre equals 1.120 85 kilograms 

per hectare. One kilogram per hectare equals 0.89218 pounds per acre. 

67
Table 59—Factors relating to cottonseed products1

Factors for converting cottonseed products to—

Product

Tons per ton Pounds per ton

Crude oil 0.167 334

Cake and meal .457 914

Hulls .254 508

Linters .089 178

Waste .033 66

1

All figures based on the 5-year average 1985/86-1989/90.

68
Table 60—Special notes on cotton, cottonseed, and cottonseed products

Basis of Computation. Factors have been computed on the basis of the 5 crop seasons from 1985/86 through 

1989/90 and represent ratios of the 5-season averages. The 5-season average was used to bring the factors more 

nearly into conformity with current experience.

Use of Factors. Users of these factors are cautioned with respect to the following limitations: The factors are not 

"official," even though they are based upon latest available official figures. They are not permanently fixed at the 

stated values because later information and changes in relationships may require revisions. Because basic data 

underlying certain series have differing variabilities, application of the factors will not necessarily result in the most 

satisfactory figure for use in current work. Factors should be applied to U.S. totals only and not to State or area 

totals. These factors apply to full-season totals only.

Definitions

Seed cotton Cotton as harvested but before ginning. It is the raw product which has been harvested and 

contains the lint, seed, and foreign matter.

Moduled seed cotton A mechanical module builder compresses cotton into large modules in the field after harvest so 

that cotton may be held temporarily on the farm or at the gin while awaiting ginning. About 

40% of the U.S. cotton is moduled. This practice is especially important in the Southwest and 

West.

Lint Cotton that has been separated from the seed by the ginning process.

Bale A rectangular package of compressed cotton lint as it comes from the gin. Including the 

bagging and ties, it weighs about 500 pounds and its dimensions vary depending upon the 

degree of compression that may range from 12 to 32 pounds per cubic foot. A bale is the 

form of package by which cotton moves in domestic and foreign commerce. However, cotton 

is bought and sold on a net weight (pound or kilogram) basis.

Running bale Any bale of varying lint weight as it comes from the gin.

480-pound net 

weight bale

An average bale weight used to maintain statistical comparability. It has superseded the 

formerly used term, 500-pound gross weight bale.

Universal 

density bale

A bale pressed to a uniform size or repressed in a warehouse compress one time to a density 

of at least 28 pounds per cubic foot.

Tare Weight of the ties (or bands) and bagging materials which contain the bale. The weight of 

these packaging materials varies and is excluded from the reported or sale weight of the lint. 

The bands can be steel straps or wire. The bagging material can be jute, woven polypropylene 

fiber, or polyethylene plastic film, or cotton (woven or warp knit) depending on the type of 

bale packaged.

Oilseed The cottonseed that is crushed for the oil and meal.

Planting seed The cottonseed that is planted. Seed not planted is crushed in oil mills for the oil, meal, hulls, 

etc.

Linters Short fibers (usually less than 1/8 inch long) that remain attached to the cottonseed after 

ginning. They are separated from the seed at the oil mill and used in cushioning product, as 

stuffing, or as a source of cellulose for a variety of chemical products.

Motes Cotton waste material from the cotton ginning process, primarily resulting from the lint 

cleaning operation. Motes can be reclaimed and sold for use in padding and upholstery filling, 

nonwovens, and some open-end yarns.

69
Table 61—Scoured yield of greasy shorn and pulled domestic wools

Scoured yield1

Grade

Domestic 

production of 

greasy wool1 Shorn Pulled

 Percent

Fine; 64's and finer 28.9 27.0 NA

1⁄2 blood; 60's and 62's 28.7 50.0 67.0

3⁄8 blood; 56's and 58's 24.6 51.0 72.0

1⁄4 blood; 50's and 54's 13.5 56.0 81.0

 

Low 1⁄4 blood; 46's and 48's 4.3 61.0 82.0

Common and braid; 36's, 40's, and 44's 62.0 84.0

 

Weighted average, all grades 100.0 52.8 72.9

NA = Not available. 

1

Based on Current Industrial Report: "Stocks of Wool and Related Fibers," U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the 

Census, MA-22M, 1971-86 reports. Percentage of production by grade based on the stocks reports and wool supply and use 

data for 1991, provided by the American Sheep Industry Association.

70 
Table 62—Tobacco: Factors for adjusting stocks reported by dealers and manufacturers to a 

farm-sales-weight equivalent

 Factors to multiply by to convert—

 Stemmed stocks to—

Type Type 

number 

Unstemmed 

equivalent 

Farm-salesweight 

equivalent 

Unstemmed stocks 

to farm-salesweight equivalent 

from packed weight 

Auction market areas (types 11-37):1 

Flue-cured 11-14 1.295 1.470 1.12

Virginia fire-cured 21 1.299 1.598 1.23 

Tennessee and Kentucky 

fire-cured 22-23 1.324 1.4712 1.04

Burley 31 1.345 1.550 1.12 

Southern Maryland 32 1.373 1.400 1.02

One sucker 35 1.413 1.554 1.10 

Green River 36 1.389 1.570 1.13 

Virginia sun-cured 37 1.326 1.538 1.16 

Miscellaneous domestic 72-73 1.333 1.493 1.12 

Imported leaf (types 81-93): 

Cigar leaf 81-89 1.400 1.624 1.16 

Oriental and aromatic 91 1.333 1.466 1.10 

Flue-cured 92 1.295 1.450 1.12

Burley 93 1.345 1.506 1.12 

 Factors to multiply by to convert—

 Stemmed stocks to— Unstemmed stocks to farm-salesequivalent from packed weight 

 

Unstemmed

equivalent 

Farm-salesweight 

equivalent 

Sweated 

weight3

Marked 

weight3

Farm-sale 

weight3

Domestic-grown cigar leaf 

(types 41-62): 

Pennsylvania seedleaf 41 1.444 1.718 1.19 1.05 1.00 

Ohio 42-44 1.454 1.730 1.19 1.05 1.00 

Puerto Rican 46 1.314 1.551 1.18 1.16 1.00 

Connecticut broadleaf 51 1.375 1.622 1.18 1.04 1,00 

Connecticut Havana seed 52 1.386 1.635 1.18 1.04 1.00 

Southern Wisconsin 54 1.383 1.687 1.22 1.06 1.00 

Northern Wisconsin 55 1.404 1.713 1.22 1.06 1.00 

Connecticut shade 61 1.245 1.419 1.14 1.10 1.00 

Georgia and Florida 

shade 62 1.235 1.408 1.14 1.10 1.00 

1

Types 11-37 are reported on the basis of packed weight. 

2

Farm-sales-weight equivalent based on sweated weight factor. 

3

The instructions for reporting unstemmed cigar-leaf of the domestic types require that dealers and manufacturers indicate 

the weight basis on which the tobacco is reported, namely, farm-sales-weight, marked weight, or sweated weight. The 

stocks are converted to the farm-sales weight equivalent on the basis of average factors reflecting the percentage reported 

each quarter in each of these categories.

71 ☆ U.S. Government Printing Office : 1992 - 311-362/60465 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE 

WASHINGTON, DC 20005-4788