An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Agricultural

Marketing

Service 

Federal Grain Inspection 

Service

Field Management 

Division 

1400 Independence Ave. 

SW, Stop 3630

Washington, D.C. 20250

Voice (202) 720-0228

Fax (202) 690-3951

Hotline 1-800-998-3447

Reference #264 October 30, 2015

TO: FGIS POLICY BULLETIN BOARD

FROM: Anthony Goodeman, Acting Director 

 Field Management Division 

SUBJECT: Certification of Falling Number Based On Composite Samples

ORIGINATING OFFICE: Policies, Procedures, and Market Analysis Branch

1. PURPOSE

This memorandum defines when falling number may be certified 

based on composite samples of of wheat. 

2. BACKGROUND

Per Policy Bulletin Board Memo #238, Unit Train Inspection Options, 

and Directive 9180.59, Composite Sample Analysis for Combined 

Land Carrier Inspections, shipments of wheat by land carrier may be 

certified in 4 different ways, listed below. These options are available 

for both export and domestic shipments.

a. Each carrier (railcar, truck, or container) may receive a separate 

certificate.

b. Groups of up to 5 railcars, 15 trucks, or 20 containers may 

receive a single certificate based on the averages of the 

individual results for each carrier.

c. Groups of up to 5 railcars, 15 trucks, or 20 containers may 

receive a single certificate based on one composite sample.

d. An entire unit train may receive a single certificate based on the 

CuSum plan, where a sublot may consist of up to 5 cars for trains 

of less than 50 cars or up to 10 cars for trains of 50 cars or more.
Page 2

Falling number is a quality factor for wheat flour and falls under the 

Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA), but it may be reported on a 

United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) certificate for wheat if it is 

measured in conjunction with testing services performed under the 

USGSA. It is not a grade determining factor for wheat. Directive 9180.38,

which specifies how falling number is determined and reported, states 

that a sublot sample or a composite sample representing an entire lot 

may be used for falling number determination for export shipments. 

This has led to uncertainty about whether domestic shipments or 

shipments not certified under the CuSum plan may use composite 

samples.

3. POLICY

The options given in Directive 9180.38 for export shipments are also 

available for domestic shipments. Composite sample analysis is also 

allowed for shipments not graded under the CuSum plan, as follows:

If a lot of up to 5 railcars, 15 trucks, or 20 containers is receiving a 

single certificate, the same group of carriers may also have falling 

number determined from a composite sample, or from a combination 

of the individual carrier results, and reported on the same certificate. 

Carriers may not be grouped differently for falling number than for 

other factors. Please note that falling numbers (FN) must not be 

averaged arithmetically. They must be converted to liquefaction 

numbers (LN) using the formula in Directive 9180.38, then the 

liquefaction numbers can be averaged and the average converted 

back to a falling number:

LN = 6000 / (FN-50)

Average FN = (6000 / Average LN) + 50

When carriers are receiving individual certificates, separate certificates 

may be issued for falling numbers for groups of up to 5 railcars, 15 

trucks, or 20 containers, and composite samples may be used for 

the falling number test. These separate certificates may be USGSA 

certificates which also report official criteria such as aflatoxin or 

protein, or they may be AMA certificates which report only falling 

number.

Directive 9180.38 allows an entire train to receive a falling number 

from a single composite sample, only if the entire unit train is graded 

as a lot under the CuSum plan.

This policy bulletin amends Directive 9180.38 to allow an entire train to 

receive a falling number from a single composite sample, regardless 

of whether or not the lot was graded under the CuSum plan.
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4. FILING INSTRUCTIONS

File a copy of this notice with FGIS Directive 9180.38, Falling Number 

Determination for Wheat. Field office managers must make certain 

that a copy of this notice is provided to official agencies operating in 

their circuit.

5. QUESTIONS 

Direct questions regarding this policy to 

AMS - FGIS Policies Procedures Market Analysis Branch.