Federal Grain Inspection Service’s

Grain Inspection Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

September 5-6, 2018

National Grain Center 

Kansas City, Missouri
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Contents

MEETING ATTENDEES ............................................................................................................................ 3

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ............................................................................................................. 5

WELCOME .................................................................................................................................................. 5

OPENING REMARKS................................................................................................................................. 5

REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA........................................................................................... 5

MEETING OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................................. 5

PROGRAM UPDATES................................................................................................................................ 5

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND COMPLIANCE DIVISION UPDATES................................................ 6 

TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE DIVISION UPDATES .......................................................................... 6

NATIONAL GRAIN CENTER TOUR-DAY 1........................................................................................... 7

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE PRESENTATION ..................................... 7

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS DIVISION UPDATES............................................................................... 7

FIELD MANAGEMENT DIVISION UPDATES........................................................................................ 7

FINANCIAL UPDATES.............................................................................................................................. 8

FGISONLINE OVERVIEW......................................................................................................................... 8

PUBLIC COMMENTS................................................................................................................................. 8

NATIONAL GRAIN CENTER TOUR-DAY 2........................................................................................... 8

RESOLUTION DISCUSSION..................................................................................................................... 9

CHAIRPERSON........................................................................................................................................... 9

NEXT MEETING......................................................................................................................................... 9

ADVISORY COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS............................................................................................. 9
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MEETING ATTENDEES

Advisory Committee Members

Chad Becnel, Manager, SGS Group Inc.

Sarah Sexton-Bowser, Producer

Randall Burns, Program Coordinator, Arkansas Bureau of Standards

Janice Cooper, Managing Director, Wheat Marketing Center Inc.

Patricia Dumoulin, Owner, Dumoulin Farms

Nick Friant, Business Unit-Food Safety Leader, Cargill Inc.

John Lindgren, Director, United Grain Corporation

Kia Mikesh, Project Manager, North Dakota Grain Inspection Services, Inc.

John Morgan, Vice President, Supreme Rice, LLC

Rick Robinette, President, Sioux City Inspection and Weighing Services Co.

Bruce Sutherland, President, Michigan Agricultural Commodities

Linsey Moffit-Tobin, Quality Coordinator, Eastern Iowa Grain Inspection and 

Weighing Services

Brent Turnipseed, Professor, South Dakota State University Seed Testing Lab

Jimmy Williams, Missouri Department of Agriculture

AMS

Bruce Summers, Administrator, AMS

Dana Coale, Acting Deputy Administrator, FGIS

Kendra Kline, Assistant to the Deputy Administrator, FGIS

Ramon Luevano, Assistant Chair, Board of Appeals, Technology and Science 

Division (TSD), FGIS

Cathy Brenner, Branch Chief, Inspection Instrumentation Branch, TSD, FGIS

Tony Goodeman, Acting Director, Field Management Division (FMD), FGIS

Karen Guagliardo, Director, Quality Assurance and Compliance Division 

(QACD), FGIS

Byron Reilly, Director, International Affairs Division (IAD), FGIS

Denise Ruggles, Executive Program Analyst, FGIS

LeRoy Capper, Chief Innovation Officer, FGIS

Patrick McCluskey, Branch Chief, Policy, Procedures and Market Analysis 

Branch, FMD, FGIS

Timothy Norden, Chief Scientist, TSD, FGIS

Barbey Benedict, Site Coordinator, TSD, FGIS

Sandra Metheny, Field Office Manager, Stuttgart Field Office, FMD, FGIS

Jimmy Martin Jr., Agricultural Commodity Grader, Stuttgart Field Office, FMD, 

FGIS

Jose Robinson, Supervisory Agricultural Commodity Grader, League City Field 

Office, FMD, FGIS

Kathryn Baxter, Agricultural Commodity Grader, New Orleans Field Office, 

FMD, FGIS
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Charles Parr, Quality Assurance Specialist, Domestic Inspection Operations 

Office, FMD, FGIS

Ronald Bundy, Field Office Manager, Domestic Inspection Operations Office, 

FMD, FGIS

Sophie Parker, Deputy Director, QACD, FGIS

Thomas Weber, Branch Chief, Analytical Chemistry Branch, TSD, FGIS

Tandace Bell, Branch Chief, Biotechnology and Analytical Services Branch, 

TSD, FGIS

Public Attendees

Larry Speaks, Perten Instruments

Terry Allen, Perten Instruments

Jory Harris, Perten Instruments

Philip Garcia, Washington State Department of Agriculture

Michelle Osborne, Mid-Iowa Grain Inspection

Jess McCluer, National Grain and Feed Association

Tom Meyer, Kansas Grain Inspection

Mark Adams, North Dakota Grain Inspection

Renee Blick, Mid-Iowa Grain Inspection

Meikel Brewster, Charm Sciences

Roger Vanderkolk, DICKEY-John

Erica Venancio, American Association of Grain Inspection and Weighing 

Agencies

Tom Dahl, Sioux City Inspection & Weighing Service

David Ayers, Champaign-Danville Grain Inspection

John Sharpe, American Association of Grain Inspection and Weighing Agencies

Greg Stordahl, Montana Department of Agriculture

Chad Huebner, Jamestown Grain Inspection

Danae Podraza, Lincoln Inspection

Brandon Byrd, Champaign-Danville Grain Inspection

Stephen Nenonen, FOSS
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (Committee), appointed by the 

Secretary of Agriculture, is comprised of 15 members who represent all segments 

of the grain industry. Two additional members serve as alternates. They include 

grain producers, processors, merchandisers, handlers, exporters, consumers, grain 

inspection agencies, and scientists. Recommendations by the Committee help the 

Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) to better meet the needs of its customers

who operate in a dynamic and changing marketplace.

WELCOME

Mr. Bruce Summers, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), 

welcomed everyone to the Committee meeting. Mr. Summers gave an overview 

of AMS and discussed the merger of FGIS into AMS.

Ms. Dana Coale, Acting Deputy Administrator, FGIS, lead Committee, FGIS

staff, and public introductions. In addition, Ms. Coale provided an overview of the 

meeting content and indicated with 14 members in attendance, a quorum was 

achieved and the meeting would commence.

OPENING REMARKS

Ms. Janice Cooper, Chairperson, Advisory Committee, approved the agenda and

covered the important role that FGIS plays in the wheat market and with foreign

buyers.

REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA

The Advisory Committee approved the September 5-6, 2018, agenda as 

presented.

MEETING OVERVIEW

Ms. Kendra Kline, Assistant to the Deputy Administrator, shared the scope of the 

Committee and duties as a committee member. Information was provided 

regarding meeting logistics.

PROGRAM UPDATES

Ms. Dana Coale discussed the AMS organization and restructuring that has 

occurred over the past year with the Committee. Information regarding the 

continuation of operations was shared focusing on service, hiring status of key 

positions, increasing transparency and enhancing industry relations.
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For additional details, please see the presentation Program Updates.

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND COMPLIANCE DIVISION UPDATES 

Ms. Karen Guagliardo, Director of the Quality Assurance and Compliance 

Division (QACD), provided updates on reviews/audits, quality management 

program, investigations, exceptions programs, boundary review, and delegation 

documents. 

QACD conducts compliance reviews/audits of the official system. This includes 

the field offices, designated/delegated agencies, and cooperators. Out of 44 

reviews, 82% were 90 or above, 27% achieved Gold Standard level. The Gold 

Standard Award requires a full Quality Management Program (QMP) Review of 

95% or above, an Agreement Quotient of 90 or higher, and the Official Agency 

must be in good standing during the year. FGIS is refining the QMP directive and 

standard to make is more streamlined and easier to understand and use. Training 

on the new directives should occur in fiscal year 2019 and new audits should take 

place in 2020. 

QACD is responsible for conducting investigations for violations of the U.S. 

Grain Standards and Agriculture Marketing Act. Official personnel are required to 

report any violations of statues, polices, procedures, or instructions. QACD 

discussed the exceptions program that is currently paused. QACD is currently 

reviewing the boundaries for designated agencies. This includes reviewing the 

number of facilities using the official system, volume of grain in the official 

system, estimate of unofficial volume, number of carriers in the official system, 

other services provided, and fees of services in the official system. QACD 

mentioned they are working on updating the delegation document language and 

will re-certify the delegated states every five years. 

For additional details, please see the presentation Quality Assurance and 

Compliance Division Updates. 

TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE DIVISION UPDATES 

Dr. Timothy Norden provided a brief overview Technology and Science Division. 

The Board of Appeals and Review (BAR) Branch update was provided by Mr. 

Ramon Luevano, Assistant BAR Chairman. Mr. Luevano shared the latest BAR 

information on determining Hard and Vitreous Kernels of Amber Color (HVAC) 

in durum wheat. Currently, the BAR is exploring the utilization of bleach in 

determining HVAC. Next, Ms. Cathleen Brenner, Inspection Instrumentation 

Branch (IIB) Branch Chief, presented on the LED lighting study; NIR 
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Equivalency Field Study; FGIS Approval Process for equipment, instruments, and 

test kits; Moisture Meters Performance; and the Commercial Rice Mill Study. 

The Analytical Chemistry Branch (ACB), Branch Chief Mr. Tom Weber,

provided updates on Falling Number testing and Mycotoxin testing.

For additional details, please see the presentation Technology and Science 

Division Updates.

NATIONAL GRAIN CENTER TOUR-DAY 1

The National Grain Center (NGC) tour was split into two days. On Wednesday, 

September 5, the Committee visited BAR work space, the IIB labs, Wheat 

Functionality Lab, and the Digital Media offices.

For additional details, please see the presentation NGC Tour-Day 1.

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE 

PRESENTATION

Mr. George Galasso, National Trade Director for Grain with Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service (APHIS), presented on the USDA System Approach for 

U.S. Soybeans. The presentation gave an overview of the recommended best 

practices that can help reduce weed seeds in soybeans on the farm, at U.S. grain 

elevators, and at the point of export. APHIS and AMS are collaborating on a 

national survey at country and export elevators. The agencies will then analyze 

the data gathered from the survey to identify opportunities for improving the 

results of the system approach.

For additional details, please see the presentation System Approach for U.S. 

Soybeans.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS DIVISION UPDATES

Mr. Byron Reilly, Director, International Affairs Division, provided an overview 

of the division and its role and responsibilities. Additional information was 

presented on International Outreach, International Sampling Methods, Soybean 

Exports to China, and Foreign Complaints.

For additional details, please see the presentation International Affairs Division 

Updates.

FIELD MANAGEMENT DIVISION UPDATES

Mr. Anthony Goodeman, Acting Director, Field Management Division (FMD), 

provided an overview of FMD and presented the latest data on exports, hiring 
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plans, training programs, the Performance Appraisal System, and official services 

in Texas. Mr. Pat McCluskey, Branch Chief of Policies, Procedures and Market 

Analysis Branch, presented information on the current status of standards reviews 

and the sampler power supply lockout switch compliance requirements. 

For additional details, please see the presentation Field Management Division 

Updates.

FINANCIAL UPDATES

Ms. Denise Ruggles, Executive Program Analyst, began Thursday morning with 

in-depth information on FGIS finances. Ms. Ruggles explained the different type 

of funding accounts and how the accounts are linked to the U.S. Grain Standards 

Act and Agricultural Marketing Act. Each account’s performance over a 9 year 

period was provided. Ms. Ruggles explained the operating reserves for the 

funding accounts, fee review process, fee table removal proposal, supervisory fee 

suspension, limitation on obligations, and provided a brief outlook for Fiscal Year 

2019 funding.

For additional details, please see the presentation Financial Updates.

FGISONLINE OVERVIEW

Mr. LeRoy Capper, Chief Innovation Officer, gave a brief overview of the 

applications of FGISOnline, the new technology being utilized on modernization 

projects, and upcoming updates.

For additional details, please see the presentation FGISOnline Overview.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Time was allocated on the agenda to give the public an opportunity to address the 

Committee. One comment was made by Mr. Jory Harris, Perten Instruments, 

discussing the importance of NIR equivalency.

NATIONAL GRAIN CENTER TOUR-DAY 2

The NGC tour on Thursday, September 6, included the Domestic Inspection 

Operations Office, Equipment Checktesting, Trace Analysis-Mycotoxins, Trace 

Analysis-Pesticides, Biotechnology Labs, Commodities Testing, and Reference 

Labs.

For additional details, please see the presentation NGC Tour-Day 2.
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RESOLUTION DISCUSSION

The Committee spent a considerable amount of time proposing and approving 17 

resolutions as presented below. All resolution were approved via a voice vote 

with the exception of Resolution 8. The Committee elected to hold a ballot vote of

the members to determine whether to include the Resolution 8. Inclusion of 

Resolution 8 was approved with a vote of 7 yes, 4 no, and 3 abstentions. Motion 

was passed to destroy ballots.

Mr. Chad Becnel motioned to accept all the resolutions as written and Mr. Bruce 

Sutherland seconded the motion.

CHAIRPERSON

Committee member Ms. Linsey Moffit-Tobin was selected to serve as the next 

Committee Chairperson.

NEXT MEETING

The Committee members will be contacted at a later date to discuss the spring 

meeting location and timeframe.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS

1. HVAC

 The Advisory Committee commends FGIS for researching an improved 

method for HVAC classification in Durum wheat. The committee 

recommends FGIS continue to research and develop a bleaching method 

to quantify and separate HVAC kernels from soft kernels in durum wheat 

to facilitate subclass determinations. The committee encourages FGIS to 

further investigate whether the same or similar methods can be used to 

determine DHV kernels versus non-vitreous kernels in the Hard Red 

Spring Wheat class. 

2. Falling Number

 The Advisory Committee acknowledges the progress FGIS has made to 

implement the October 2016 resolution reducing the variance of Falling 

Number test results. The Committee encourages FGIS to implement the 

new barometric pressure correction and require the use of the Shakematic 

on May 1, 2019. FGIS should continue identifying ways to reduce the test 

result variation, and actively identify and evaluate alternative technologies 

for determining the effect of alpha amylase.
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3. Mycotoxin Test Kits

The Advisory Committee urges FGIS to continue to identify causes of 

variation in mycotoxin testing and to develop a comprehensive plan to 

address these causes. 

The Committee requests FGIS to investigate certifying and reporting at 

lower levels than the current limit of quantitation, and report back to the 

Committee.

4. New Devices

 The Advisory Committee appreciates FGIS’ recognition of the importance 

of encouraging competition in the official device system. The Committee 

urges FGIS to develop a comprehensive and proactive approach to 

identifying new technology priorities that may bring improved test results, 

greater efficiency and/or lower cost. The Committee recognizes that any 

new devices must add value to the testing system in compliance with 

current guidelines. 

5. Program Guidance

The Advisory Committee recommends FGIS take steps to reconcile and 

consolidate instructions to ensure clear, easy to access guidance. This 

would help the official system provide more accurate, consistent and 

timely service.

6. SIMS/ Quality Assurance

 The Advisory Committee recommends that FGIS continue to review and 

update the SIMS/quality assurance tolerances for moisture meters, and 

post the results of the analysis to the FGIS website, in accordance with the 

July 2014 and April 2015 Advisory Committee resolutions. 

Furthermore, the Committee recommends that FGIS actively participate, 

as appropriate, in the National Conference on Weight and Measures, Grain 

Analyzer Sector efforts to reduce the maintenance and acceptance 

tolerances for moisture meters in the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology Handbook 44.

7. New Hire Training and Continuing Education

The Advisory Committee commends the Field Management Division in 

their efforts to modernize training for new hire graders at the field level. 

We encourage the continued effort of developing new and innovative 

techniques for training and continued education of field level graders 

working directly with end users. Accuracy, efficiency and consistency is 

of the upmost importance for end users across all regions.
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8. Nonuse of Service Exception

The Advisory Committee supports the “nonuse of service exception” 

program allowing a grain elevator to request such service from another 

officially designated inspection and weighing agency outside its 

designated service area, which is conditionally reviewed by 

FGIS. Subsequently, the committee recommends that grain elevators who 

had their FGIS-approved agreements terminated, based on GIPSA’s 

interpretation of the revised language in the 2015 Agriculture 

Reauthorizations Act, be provided the option to reinstate their prior 

agreement with FGIS officially designated grain inspection and weighing 

agency. 

9. Cost of FGIS Services relative to Selling Price 

The Advisory Committee appreciates how the merger of FGIS and AMS 

has brought a renewed focus on customer service for the end user. The 

Committee would like for FGIS to review its procedures and overall costs 

of service to the end user in areas where those costs may affect the overall 

market competitiveness of the commodity being sold. (i.e. cost of services 

for milled rice sold in smaller lots sizes such as containers, rail cars and 

trucks). 

10. Fee Tables

The Advisory Committee supports the FGIS proposal to remove the 

Schedule A (800.71) fee tables from the Code of Federal Regulations. 

This change will expedite the release of adjusted fee information to 

interested stakeholders. 

11. Budget

The Advisory Committee recommends that OMB eliminate the limitation 

on inspection and weighing services expenses. If this is not possible, the 

Committee recommends that the $55 million limitation only apply to grain 

export activities under the provisions of the USGSA.

12. LED Lighting

The Advisory Committee recommends FGIS continue research on the 

most appropriate LED lighting solution that may include overhead or task 

lights.

13. FGISOnline

The Advisory Committee commends FGIS for its work and progress on 

FGISOnline and encourages the agency to continue to upgrade and 

enhance the system to meet the needs of all interested parties. 

The Committee recommends FGIS investigate and report on a back-up 

system to FGIS Official Service Provider Licensing (FOL). 
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14. Systems Approach

 FGIS execution support to the “USDA Soybean Systems Approach” 

should not compel a change in U.S. grading standards, nor require FGIS 

financial resources. 

15. International Grading Report

 The Advisory Committee urges caution in acceptance and execution of 

new inspection approaches that disadvantage the U.S. grain industry 

relative to international trade practices. The Committee requests USDA to 

report on international grading practices to entail comparison of results 

based on origin and destination sampling and grading protocols. 

16. Vessel Stowage Exams

The Advisory Committee commends FGIS on its efforts to incorporate 

innovative technology by delivering services to its shareholders, while 

protecting the safety of personnel. The Committee strongly encourages 

the approval and implementation of the “pilot program” for Barge 

Stowage Examinations via camera system.

The Committee also recommends FGIS continue studying its 

technological innovative programs for cost savings, efficiency, and 

operational safety concerns, as it relates to Vessel Stowage Examinations. 

(i.e. UAV with NIR technology and/or camera when applicable).

17. Committee Chairperson Selection

 The Advisory Committee would like to formalize the chair selection

process. The Committee members in a public forum, could nominate 

(either the committee members or themselves) and give the nominated an 

opportunity and speak for 5 minutes to present their qualifications in being 

chair. The position of vice-chair should be done in the same process.