Federal Grain Inspection Service

2019 Annual Report
Each year, pursuant to section 17B (7 U.S.C. § 87f-2) of the U.S. Grain Standards Act, the Federal Grain 

Inspection Service (FGIS) respectfully submits an annual report to the U.S. Congress. Activities described 

in this report cover Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 (October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019).

In FY 2018, the realignment of offices within the U.S. Department of Agriculture eliminated the Grain 

Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) as a standalone agency. The grain inspection 

activities that were formerly a part of GIPSA, are now organized under the Agricultural Marketing Service.

This report is divided into four sections. After the Overview, Section I, Sections II through IV represent 

program updates. Any mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or 

recommended directly or indirectly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Inspection and weighing program data and financial information is available at: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/reports/fgis-annual-reports.

This document is available in an electronic 508 PDF version on our website at: 

www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/accessibility.
SECTION I OVERVIEW 4

The Federal Grain Inspection Service ................................................................................................................. 4

Program Mission.................................................................................................................................................. 4

Federal Grain Inspection Service Merger into Agricultural Marketing Service ................................................. 4

Employees and Locations ........................................... 5

Oversight of Official Service Providers ............................................................................................................... 5

Grain Inspection Advisory Committee ................................................................................................................ 6

Key Activities....................................................................................................................................................... 7

SECTION II STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT 10

U.S. Standards for Grain ........................................... 10

SECTION III THE NATIONAL GRAIN CENTER 11

Providing the Market With Terms and Methods for Quality Assessment ..........................................................11

Board of Appeals and Review ............................................................................................................................ 12

Pesticide Residue Testing and Method Development ......................................................................................... 13

Mycotoxin and Biotechnology Rapid Test Kit Evaluations ............................................................................... 13

Reference Method Analyses............................................................................................................................... 15

Biotechnology Proficiency Program .................................................................................................................. 15

Standardizing Commercial Grain Inspection Equipment .................................................................................. 16

SECTION IV PROMOTING U.S. GRAIN TO INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS 17
Section i

Overview

THE FEDERAL GRAIN INSPECTION SERVICE

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) establishes quality 

standards for grains, oilseeds, pulses, and legumes; provides impartial inspection and weighing services through 

a network of Federal, State, and private entities; and monitors marketing practices to enforce compliance with 

the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA), as amended. Through these activities, FGIS facilitates the marketing 

of grains, oilseeds, and related products.

FGIS administers uniform national grain inspection and weighing programs established by the USGSA. 

Services under the USGSA are performed on a fee basis for both export and domestic grain shipments. The 

USGSA requires that export grain be inspected and weighed, prohibits deceptive practices with respect to the 

inspection and weighing of grain, and provides penalties for violations. 

The USGSA also requires that all corn exported from the United States be tested for aflatoxin, prior to 

shipment, unless the contract stipulates that the testing is not required.

PROGRAM MISSION

FGIS’ primary mission is twofold: promote the marketing of high-quality grain to domestic and international 

buyers and maintain objective standards for grain to certify its quality as accurately as practicable. These 

standards define uniform and descriptive terms to facilitate the grain trade, help determine grain storability, 

offer users the best possible information to determine end-product yield and quality, provide market incentive 

frameworks, reflect the economic value-based characteristics to end-users, and accommodate scientific 

advances in testing.

FEDERAL GRAIN INSPECTION SERVICE MERGER INTO AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

On November 14, 2017, Secretary Sonny Perdue issued a Memorandum that authorized the realignment of 

offices within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This Memorandum eliminated the Grain Inspection, Packers 

and Stockyards Administration as a standalone agency and reorganized grain inspection activities under AMS. 

The merger into AMS has sparked a renewed focus in FGIS to provide gold standard inspection and weighing 

services to customers that deliver U.S. grain to foreign markets. AMS has improved the efficiency of service 

delivery and of training new samplers and graders, while condensing some of the administrative duties under 

the Agency umbrella to reduce redundancies and cost. An increase in stakeholder collaboration has led to a 

more effective Advisory Committee with a large public turnout, and an upsurge of invitations to domestic and 

foreign outreach events.

4 Annual Report FY 2019
5 Annual Report FY 2019

EMPLOYEES AND LOCATIONS

FGIS is composed of 380 permanent employees, 47 intermittent permanent employees, and 71 temporary 

employees. It is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has the bulk of its employees located at the National 

Grain Center in Kansas City, Missouri; seven (7) field offices; and one (1) Federal/State office. Field offices 

are located in Grand Forks, North Dakota; Kansas City, Missouri; League City, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; 

Portland, Oregon; Stuttgart, Arkansas; and Toledo, Ohio. FGIS has one Federal/State office in Olympia, 

Washington.

FGIS OVERSIGHT OF OFFICIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS

FGIS oversees 44 State and private agencies that provide official services under the USGSA. Of the 44, 33 are 

private agencies and 6 are State agencies designated to provide official inspection and/or weighing services in 

domestic markets; 4 are State agencies delegated to provide mandatory official export inspection and weighing 

services, as well as designated to provide official domestic inspection and weighing services within the State; 

and 1 is a State agency delegated to provide mandatory official export inspection and weighing services within 

the State.

These private and State agencies represent a unique network of approximately 2,500 staff members who

conduct official inspection and weighing services for grain producers, handlers, processors, and exporters 

across the country.

 Section I Overview
6 Annual Report FY 2019

Front Row: Ryan Kuhl; David Ayers; Arthur Neal; Linsey Moffit-Tobin; John Lindgren; Kendra Kline Back Row: Sarah Sexton-Bowser; Mark Watne; 

Tom Tunnell; Brent Turnipseed; Randy Burns; Rick Robinette; John Morgan; Matthew Kerrigan; Todd Russom; Bruce Summers; Bruce Sutherland

(Caption: Opening remarks from AMS Administrator, Bruce Summers)

Section I Overview

GRAIN INSPECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Grain Inspection Advisory Committee encompasses 15 members that represent all segments of the grain 

industry. They include grain producers, processors, merchandisers, handlers, exporters, consumers, grain 

inspection agencies, and scientists. The Committee votes on recommendations to help improve program 

services, develop new services needed in the marketplace, and suggest areas of research. On August 15-

16, 2019, the Committee held a public meeting at the National Grain Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The 

Committee received updates from FGIS on past recommendations. It also heard presentations from the AMS 

Specialty Crops Program, regarding the development of hemp regulations, and the National Organic Program, 

that provided an overview of its certification and compliance activities. Five recommendations were passed at 

the meeting involving hemp inspection and grading services, length of terms for Committee members, nonuse 

of service exceptions, updating the FGIS-Food and Drug Administration Memorandum of Understanding, and 

the review of geographic boundaries. More information from the meeting is located on the AMS public 

website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/facas-advisory-councils/giac
7 Annual Report FY 2019

KEY ACTIVITIES

In administering and enforcing the USGSA, FGIS:

• Establishes and maintains official U.S. grain

standards for barley, canola, corn, flaxseed, oats,

rye, sorghum, soybeans, sunflower seed, triticale,

wheat, and mixed grain;

• Promotes the uniform application of official U.S.

grain standards by official inspection personnel;

• Establishes methods and procedures and approves

equipment for the official inspection and weighing

of grain;

• Provides official inspection and weighing services

at certain U.S. export port locations as well as

official inspection of U.S. grain at certain export

port locations along the St. Lawrence Seaway in

eastern Canada;

• Delegates qualified State agencies to inspect and

weigh grain at certain U.S. export port locations;

• Designates and licenses qualified State and private 

agencies to inspect and weigh grain, as well as 

perform other official services, at interior

locations;

• Provides Federal oversight of the official

inspection and weighing of grain by delegated

States and designated agencies;

• Monitors the quality and weight of U.S. grain

as received at destination ports and investigates

complaints or discrepancies reported by

international buyers;

• Investigates, in cooperation with the USDA’s

Office of the Inspector General, alleged violations 

of the USGSA and initiates appropriate corrective

action; and

• Helps U.S. trading partners develop and improve

their grain inspection and weighing programs

through education and outreach to international

buyers. 

Section I Overview
8 Annual Report FY 2019

Designated States and 

Delegated States

AL Alabama

SC South Carolina

VA Virginia

WA Washington

2 Delegated States

WI Wisconsin

1 Designated States

LA Louisiana

MD Maryland

MO Missouri

MT Montana

NC North Carolina

UT Utah

Field Office Areas of Responsibility

DIOO (Grain/Pulses/Processed Commodities)

Stuttgart (Rice)

League City

New Orleans

Olympia

Toledo

1 Designated State agencies and designated private agencies (i.e., official agencies) may perform permissive official grain inspection 

and/or weighing services at domestic locations under designations awarded up to a 5-year period.

2

 Delegated States may provide mandatory official grain inspection, weighing, and scale testing services at export port locations within 

their respective State. Delegated States are reevaluated and recertified every 5 years in accordance with the Act.

Official Agency Geographic 

Section I Overview
9 Annual Report FY 2019

FGIS Field Office

Federal/State Office

FGIS Duty Point

Official Agency Boundaries

Unassigned Areas

State Boundaries

AB Aberdeen

AM Amarillo

JB Barton

CI Cairo

CG California Agri

CD Champaign

DB Detroit

EI Eastern Iowa

EN Enid

FS Farwell Southwest

FE Fremont

HA Hastings

ID Idaho

JA Jamestown

KA Kankakee

KS Kansas

KE Keokuk

LN Lincoln

MH Michigan

CR Mid-Iowa

MM Midsouth

MP Minot

NR North Dakota

NE Northeast Indiana

NP Northern Plains

EV Ohio Valley

OM Omaha

PL Plainview

SH Schaal

SI Sioux City

SG State Grain

TT Titus

TS Tri-State

Designated Private Agencies

 Areas and FGIS Field Office
10 Annual Report FY 2019

U.S. STANDARDS FOR GRAIN

FGIS regularly reviews the official standards for grain and commodities to ensure the standards remain relevant 

to the marketplace. In FY 2019, FGIS completed its review of the U.S. Standards for Corn and Soybeans. 

Based on comments received on the Request for Comment documents, FGIS published a Final Notice in the 

Federal Register closing the review of the standards for those grains without amendment. In FY 2020, FGIS 

will publish a Final Notice based on its review of the U.S. Standards for Canola.

Section 

Standards Developm
11 Annual Report FY 2019

Section 

the natiOnal Grain Center

PROVIDING THE MARKET WITH TERMS AND 

METHODS FOR QUALITY ASSESSMENT

The National Grain Center (NGC), located in Kansas 

City, Missouri, hosts numerous events/tours each 

year. In FY19, NGC hosted 52 events, of which 

28 engaged international trade teams. USDA 

cooperators, such as the U.S. Grains Council and the 

U.S. Wheat Associates, sponsor many of the trade 

teams. The primary purpose of the tours is to share 

knowledge about U.S. grain grading standards and 

the services provided by FGIS. 

Beyond tours, NGC employees provide technical 

training and give in-depth presentations on relevant 

quality control methods for visual inspection, 

mycotoxin, pesticide residue, and biotechnology. 

These presentations allow stakeholders the 

opportunity to interact with subject matter experts and 

bestow a better understanding and greater confidence 

in the U.S. grain inspection system.
12 Annual Report FY 2019

Section III The National Grain Center

BOARD OF APPEALS AND REVIEW

The Board of Appeals and Review (BAR) is a team of six senior-level grain inspectors, led by a Chairman 

and an Assistant Chairman. The BAR is the final adjudication body for all disputes regarding subjective grain 

quality issues presented by any interested party in a grain transaction. The BAR performs appeal inspections 

after the issue has been considered by other FGIS field offices. The BAR rendered decisions on 484 grain 

appeals during FY 2019.

The BAR provided grain grading presentations and “hands on” grain grading training to domestic grain 

associations and international trade teams. BAR members also provided annual training for Federal and official 

agency grain inspectors at FGIS field offices. 

The BAR is responsible for ensuring alignment of sensory inspections throughout the entire official inspection 

system. This is accomplished through a network of Quality Assurance Specialists (QAS) at both Federal and 

official agency inspection points. To maintain inspection alignment, the BAR holds annual QAS seminars for 

Federal and official agency QASs at the National Grain Center in Kansas City, Missouri. In FY 2019, the BAR 

provided technical grain grading training for seven newly appointed QASs, and a 1 week training course for 

five new QASs.
13 Annual Report FY 2019

PESTICIDE RESIDUE TESTING AND METHOD 

DEVELOPMENT

FGIS provides pesticide residue testing services for 

applicants, along with domestic and export surveys. 

In addition, FGIS develops analytical methods to 

support these activities, which play a critical role 

in demonstrating the quality of U.S. grain as it 

relates to food safety, value, and adherence to U.S. 

and international regulatory limits. In FY 2019, 

FGIS analyzed 200 export soybean samples for 103 

pesticide residues, and 100 export corn samples 

for 60 pesticide residues. In addition to the survey 

work, FGIS analyzed 15 corn, soybean, and popcorn 

applicant-submitted samples for 56 pesticide residues, 

and analyzed 10 applicant-submitted wheat samples 

for 75 pesticide residues. A FGIS certificate was 

issued to the customer for each of the submitted 

samples.

In support of these programs, FGIS modified an 

existing method for paraquat and diquat determination 

to increase accuracy of test results. FGIS, also, 

developed one new analytical method for the analysis 

of 2, 4-D, dicamba, and relevant metabolites of 

dicamba.

MYCOTOXIN AND BIOTECHNOLOGY RAPID 

TEST KIT EVALUATIONS

The grain industry needs fast reliable tests to detect 

and quantify the incidence of fungal-produced 

mycotoxins in grain, as well as to accurately identify 

genetically engineered (GE) traits in grains. To 

ensure that commercially available tests provide 

reliable results, FGIS offers a performance evaluation 

and certification program. In FY 2019, 15 rapid test 

kits were evaluated for the analysis of mycotoxins 

(aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, ochratoxin 

A, and zearalenone). Of the 15 test kits, 11 met the 

FGIS performance criteria and were certified.

Section III The National Grain Center

Technology has been developed using water, instead 

of more hazardous organic solvents, for the extraction 

of aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, and 

zearalenone. The use of water eliminates the need for 

special handling of waste from hazardous organic 

solvents and reduces costs for conducting tests. It, 

also, reduces risk of exposing operators to hazardous 

chemicals when performing these tests. Of the 32 

kits currently approved for use by FGIS for analysis 

of mycotoxins, 23 use water-based extraction 

technologies.
14 Annual Report FY 2019

Mycotoxin Monitoring Programs. FGIS 

administers monitoring programs for deoxynivalenol 

(DON) and aflatoxins as part of an overall mycotoxin 

quality assurance program. Under the mycotoxin 

monitoring programs, a percentage of original 

inspection results obtained by service providers, 

using an FGIS-approved test kit, is compared to 

the results obtained from FGIS’ reference methods. 

FGIS reference methods utilize highly sensitive 

and selective instrumentation, such as, ultra-highperformance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)/ 

tandem mass spectrometry and UHPLC/fluorescence, 

for DON and aflatoxins, respectively. Weekly and 

annual reports showing a comparison of the results 

obtained from the original inspection to those 

obtained by FGIS’ reference method are provided to 

testing locations to assess their performance. Routine 

correspondence between official service providers 

and FGIS chemists is maintained to aid in report 

interpretation, quality assurance, and resolution of 

testing issues. In FY 2019, FGIS continued both 

DON and aflatoxin monitoring programs where 1,083 

samples were analyzed from 54 specified service 

points (SSPs) for DON and 1,600 samples from 76 

SSPs for aflatoxins.

Wheat Functionality. The intrinsic qualities of 

wheat affect the quality of end products. To best 

determine the ability of wheat to meet specific 

end-use needs, accurate test methods are needed to 

differentiate functional qualities. These methods 

should also be practical, rapid, and reproducible 

among different laboratories to provide value and 

transparency from the producer, to the processor, and 

provide information that better predicts appropriate 

end uses, thereby enhancing the marketability of 

U.S. wheat. The Falling Number test is an important 

measure of the effect of sprout damage on wheat 

and an indicator of the performance of wheat during 

the processing of flour for making various food 

products. In FY 2019, FGIS completed two rounds 

of check sample distributions and continued Falling 

Number inspection monitoring to evaluate accuracy 

of official testing. Reports were issued for both 

check sample distributions and monitoring program 

results summarizing testing performance. FGIS 

personnel provided on-site falling number training 

and evaluated the performance of each analyst. In 

May 2019, FGIS implemented a new barometric 

pressure correction and now requires the use of the 

Perten Shakematic for the determination of Falling 

Number for wheat grain to reduce overall variation of 

test results within the official inspection system.

Section III The National Grain Center
15 Annual Report FY 2019

REFERENCE METHOD ANALYSES

FGIS establishes and performs reference methods 

for protein, moisture, oil, and mycotoxins. These 

methods are used to: (1 maintain the accuracy of 

current testing in the official inspection system; 

and (2) support development of new rapid field 

tests. The protein, moisture, oil, and fatty acid 

reference analyses support the near infrared 

spectroscopic, dielectric, and nuclear magnetic 

resonance instruments used for rapid inspection at 

field locations that perform official testing. The 

mycotoxin reference analyses support the evaluation 

and standardization of rapid tests for official and 

commercial grain inspection, and support quality 

assurance programs ensuring consistent and reliable 

testing results. Reference method analysis is available 

upon request for Board Appeals of mycotoxins – 

aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin, ochratoxin A, 

and zearalenone.

The Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and 

Fisheries (MAFF is considering new regulations 

for ochratoxin A (OTA in wheat and barley. At the 

request of MAFF, FGIS agreed to participate in a 

4-year study with MAFF for comparison of results

from origin and destination testing of OTA in wheat

and barley. Starting in FY 2019, composite samples

of lots exported to Japan were tested using the FGIS

reference method and results were reported to MAFF.

BIOTECHNOLOGY PROFICIENCY PROGRAM

FGIS' Biotechnology Proficiency Program now 

involves 210 organizations on five continents – 

Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America, 

with more than 80 percent of the participants from 

organizations outside the United States. FGIS biannually distributes blind test samples to participants 

and compiles and disseminates the results of tests. 

This program, which FGIS initiated in 2002, enables 

organizations to assess and improve their accuracy 

and precision in identifying genetically engineered 

(GE) events in grains and oilseeds and gives grain 

buyers and sellers confidence in the results produced 

by GE testing laboratories: www.ams.usda.gov/

services/fgis/standardization/proficiency.

Response to Inadvertent Release of Unapproved 

Traits into the Marketplace. In recent years, 

there have been rare occasions when unapproved 

GE events entered into the U.S. grain handling 

system. When such an inadvertent release occurs, a 

rapid response is necessary to identify and validate 

methods to detect the trait and thereby protect the 

integrity of U.S. grain markets. The testing methods 

must be highly specific and sensitive to effectively 

maintain confidence in U.S. grain marketing 

systems. Current detection methods within FGIS’ 

Biotechnology Laboratory focus on high-throughput 

DNA extraction, methodologies, which enables FGIS 

to more effectively respond to inadvertently released 

products. FGIS has completed the development of 

high-throughput DNA extraction methods for corn, 

soybeans, wheat, and rice. FGIS assists government 

and private laboratories that use protein and DNAbased technologies by performing impartial thirdparty verification of their methods for both qualitative 

and quantitative detection of transgenic events in 

GE crops. FGIS involvement in responding to such 

incidents facilitates harmonization of sampling 

plans and of international testing for GE grains and 

oilseeds. FGIS provides expertise to USDA’s Animal 

and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) when 

responding to inadvertent releases of unapproved GE 

events.

Section III The National Grain Center
16 Annual Report FY 2019

FGIS collected 

grain moisture meter 

calibration data for eight instrument models as part of 

the NTEP ongoing calibration program. Calibrations 

developed in this program provide traceability 

throughout the official FGIS moisture program, 

including the air oven reference method, and they 

are used in the majority of moisture meters used for 

commercial grain transactions throughout the United 

States.

In FY 2019, FGIS’ NTEP laboratory coordinated its 

issuance of Certificates of Conformance with FGIS’ 

implementation of calibrations for the official 

moisture meter models for use with the major grains. 

This close coordination ensured that State-regulated 

commercial moisture meter users could use the same 

meters and calibrations as those used in official 

inspection. 

In FY 2017, the NTEP laboratory began an evaluation 

of a near-infrared analyzer for moisture, oil, and 

protein. In FY 2019, the NTEP laboratory began an 

evaluation of a near-infrared analyzer for moisture, 

oil, protein, and test weight per bushel. The 

evaluations of these devices are ongoing. In FY 

2019, the NTEP laboratory completed an evaluation 

for a new grain moisture meter with test weight per 

bushel. In FY 2020, FGIS will collect grain moisture 

meter calibration data for eight NTEP models and 

will conduct NTEP testing for new grain inspection 

equipment models upon request.

Section III The National Grain Center

Harmonizing Biotech Reference Methods. There 

is a need for highly specific and accurate tests for 

the various GE crops grown in the United States. 

FGIS has developed intra-laboratory validated realtime polymerase chain reaction methods and has 

evaluated the accuracy, reliability, and proficiency 

of publicly available methods used to detect and 

identify GE grains and oilseeds. FGIS participated 

on a scientific panel of experts engaging U.S. 

stakeholders and influencing outcomes on issues 

related to testing of GE traits in grains with the goal 

of developing global scientific consensus regarding 

the analysis of transgenic events. FGIS continues to 

collaborate with international organizations such as 

Analytical Excellence through Industry Collaboration, 

International Organization for Standardization, 

American Association of Cereal Chemists 

International, The Global Low-level Presence 

Initiative, and the Canadian Grain Commission to 

harmonize testing technologies for GE grains and 

oilseeds.

STANDARDIZING COMMERCIAL GRAIN 

INSPECTION EQUIPMENT

In FY 2019, FGIS continued the cooperative effort 

with the National Conference on Weights and 

Measures (NCWM) and the National Institute for 

Standards and Technology to standardize commercial 

inspection equipment. The commercial inspection 

equipment includes moisture meters and any test 

weight modules contained within moisture meters, as 

well as near-infrared analyzers for 

protein, oil, and starch. 

FGIS served as the sole 

evaluation laboratory 

for grain inspection 

equipment under the 

NCWM NTEP. 
17 Annual Report FY 2019

FGIS personnel frequently meet with delegations 

visiting from other countries to brief them on the U.S. 

grain marketing system, our national inspection and 

weighing system, U.S. grain standards, and FGIS’ 

mission. Many of these delegations are sponsored 

by USDA Cooperator organizations like the U.S. 

Wheat Associates and the U.S. Grains Council. 

These organizations arrange delegation visits to grain 

production areas, FGIS field offices, onsite 

laboratories at export grain elevators, and the 

National Grain Center. At the National Grain 

Center, delegations often receive technical 

training on analytical testing procedures and 

grain inspection methods and procedures.

Briefings are tailored to address each group’s 

interests and concerns. Presentations include 

explanations of the various services available 

from FGIS and Official Agencies use of the 

latest technology to provide grain traders 

with accurate and reliable inspection and 

weighing information. For importers or 

potential importers new to the U.S. grain market, 

FGIS provides information on how to contract for the 

quality they desire. 

These briefings foster a better understanding of the 

entire U.S. grain marketing system and serve to 

enhance purchasers’ confidence in U.S. grain. They 

also help move our Nation’s harvest to end-users 

around the globe. During FY 2019, FGIS personnel 

met with 28 teams from 20 countries.

Technical Assistance. Exporters, importers, and 

end-users of U.S. grains and oilseeds, as well as other 

USDA agencies, USDA cooperator organizations 

and foreign governments, occasionally request 

outreach, education, and technical assistance from 

FGIS. In most cases FGIS conducts workshops 

at grain marketing and grain grading seminars, 

meets with foreign governments and grain industry 

representatives to resolve grain quality and weight 

discrepancies, helps other countries develop domestic 

grain and commodity standards and marketing 

infrastructures, assists importers with quality 

specifications, and trains foreign inspectors in U.S. 

inspection methods and procedures. Such activities 

typically have been funded through various programs 

administered by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service 

(FAS) or directly by FGIS.

In March, FGIS sent a representative to the 

Philippines to participate in a U.S. Soybean Export 

Council (USSEC) conference to address U.S. soybean 

quality concerns in the region. The conference was 

attended by 240 participants from several countries. 

Our representative, then, traveled to Indonesia to 

meet with FAS representatives and soybean importers 

who had complained about high moisture content and 

moldy kernels. 

In July, an FGIS representative traveled to Peru, at 

the request of the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), 

where he gave 5 wheat grading workshops and 

trained a total of 53 mill personnel. USW reported 

the millers gained a better understanding of the FGIS 

inspection process and left with more confidence in 

the U.S. grading system and U.S. wheat quality. 

Section I

Promoting U.S. Grain to Internationa
Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Quality Surveys. 

FGIS coordinated with the U.S. Grains Council and 

U.S. Wheat Associates to conduct export corn, 

soybean, and wheat quality surveys. FGIS assisted 

with the surveys by collecting, grading, and testing 

samples and providing export inspection data. 

These surveys are conducted annually.

Section IV Promoting U.S. Grain to International Customers

In August, at the request of USSEC, FGIS sent an 

inspector to Indonesia where he gave five soybean 

grading workshops to Indonesian importers and end 

users. He also gave presentations on the Agency’s 

role in export inspection procedures and soybean 

standards. 

Also, in August, an FGIS representative traveled 

to Singapore to participate in the Annual Southeast 

Asia Agricultural Cooperators Conference (ACC). 

The conference is an example of the collaboration 

undertaken by USDA cooperators who share the 

objective of fostering U.S. feed grain and oilseed 

sales in the Southeast Asia region. Over the last 17 

years, the conference has become a premier industry 

event that brings together high-level executives 

from major feed, livestock production and grain 

trading companies from the region. Every year 

the conference results in actual sales of U.S. corn, 

DDGS, soybean meal, wheat, and soybeans. 

Southeast Asia Outreach. In September, two FGIS 

representatives traveled to Southeast Asia for 3 weeks 

to work with importers and their governments. FGIS 

was able to address immediate and long-term issues 

in the region and promote a better understanding of 

U.S. sampling and inspection methods, which leads to 

fewer differences in test results. This assignment also 

provides FGIS with the opportunity to develop faceto-face relationships with FAS agricultural attaches, 

customers, USDA Cooperators, and government 

officials.

During their time in Asia, the FGIS representatives 

traveled to Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and 

Thailand to conduct grading seminars and meet with 

individuals and groups involved in the grain and 

milling industry. The seminars, organized with the help 

of the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. 

Wheat Associates, U.S. Grains Council, and U.S. 

Soybean Export Council, provided much-needed 

technical education to foreign buyers and end users. 

While in Southeast Asia, the FGIS representatives were 

also able to attend FAS agricultural attaché regional 

meetings where they met with incoming attaches and 

representatives of regional cooperator groups. 

18 Annual Report FY 2019
19 Annual Report FY 2019

FGIS administers a formal process for investigating 

grain quality and weight discrepancies. When an 

importer of U.S. grain submits a claim regarding 

quality or weight, FGIS analyzes samples retained 

on file from the original inspection and analyzes 

samples submitted from the complainant (if the 

buyer chooses to submit them) to evaluate the 

accuracy of the initial inspection. This process 

allows FGIS to verify whether the original 

inspection and weighing service provided at the 

time of loading was correct, based on all available 

information. FGIS then issues a report outlining its 

findings.

Occasionally, a buyer or importing country reports 

repeated discrepancies that cannot be resolved by a 

shipment-by-shipment review under this process. 

In such cases, FGIS may conduct collaborative 

sample studies or joint monitoring activities to 

address the discrepancy in a more comprehensive 

manner.

In FY 2019, FGIS received eight quality complaints 

and one weight complaint from importers on grains 

inspected under the U.S. Grain Standards Act, as 

amended. 

Section IV Promoting U.S Grain to International Customers
20 Annual Report FY 2019

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations 

and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering 

USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender 

identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 

income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 

rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). 

Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., 

Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s 

TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 

(800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter 

addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of 

the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Learn more about the

Federal Grain Inspection Service

www.ams.usda.gov

April 2020