Grain Inspection 

Advisory Committee

Field Management Division

Anthony Goodeman, Acting Director

September 5, 2018
FGIS Field Management Division

Overview
FMD Overview

8 Field Offices, PPMAB, and OD

437 Full/part time employees

Service Delivery arm of FGIS

Plan, Develop, Administer, and Manage

Mission Statement:

FMD is the front line of FGIS, providing 

impartial official inspection and 

weighing services, standards, and 

instructions to facilitate the domestic 

and international marketing of U.S. 

grain, rice, and pulses for the overall 

benefit of American agriculture. 
Fiscal Year Total Export Grain Inspections

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

Thousand Metric Tons

FGIS

States and Agencies

?
Fiscal Year Total Export Grain Inspections

- Overall export grain inspections for FY 2017 were 

90.9 million metric tons (MMT) for FGIS and 55.1 

MMT for States and Agencies. 

- The FY 2017 totals surpassed the FY 2016 record 

by 10%!!

- USDA is projecting grain export to be approx. 140 

MMT for FY18; down about 4.1% from FY17 (May 

10 USDA report)

- Soybeans on contract to China that have not yet 

shipped. Rumors in press that China may cancel 

contract orders or roll to next market year (the 140 

MMT projection assumes orders are fulfilled). 
Export Corn: FGIS, States & Agencies

 -

 5,000

 10,000

 15,000

 20,000

 25,000

 30,000

 35,000

 40,000

2-Sep

16-...30-...14-...28-...11-...25-...

9-Dec

23-...

6-Jan

20-...

3-Feb

17-...

3-Mar

17-...31-...14-...28-...12-...26-...

9-Jun

23-...

7-Jul

21-Jul

4-Aug

18-...

Cumulative: Thousand Metric Tons

5-yr Avg 2016/17 2017/18
Export Corn: FGIS, States & Agencies

-Corn exports down 9% from the last year; 

however they are up 15% compared to 5-

year average.

-Due to the dry conditions in South America 

and the relatively low price for U.S. corn, 

demand has surged higher.

- Mexico makes up 24%, Japan 22%, and S. 

Korea 10% of U.S. corn exports, accounting 

for 56% of the total. 
Export Soybean: FGIS, States & Agencies

 -

 5,000

 10,000

 15,000

 20,000

 25,000

 30,000

 35,000

 40,000

2-Sep

16-...30-...14-...28-...11-...25-...

9-Dec

23-...

6-Jan

20-...

3-Feb

17-...

3-Mar

17-...31-...14-...28-...12-...26-...

9-Jun

23-...

7-Jul

21-...

4-Aug

Cumulative: Thousand Metric Tons

18-...

5-yr Avg 2016/17 2017/18
Export Soybean: FGIS, States & Agencies

-Soybean exports currently 7% lower than last MY, but 

approx. 13% higher than the 5-year average.

-Argentina soybean crop damage – August 10 WASDE 

report showed a decrease in soybean production of about 

33% from last year. 

-Argentina has been importing soybeans from U.S.

-China, U.S. number 1 importer of soybeans, has currently 

imported 51% of all soybean exports. This is down from 

the 5 year average of 60%.

-However because of the trade talks putting pressure on 

the prices of U.S. soybeans, we have attracted 

nontraditional buyers creating the current trajectory.
Export Sorghum: FGIS, States & Agencies

 -

 1,000

 2,000

 3,000

 4,000

 5,000

 6,000

 7,000

 8,000

 9,000

2-Sep

16-...30-...14-...28-...11-...25-...

9-Dec

23-...

6-Jan

20-...

3-Feb

17-...

3-Mar

17-...31-...14-...28-...12-...26-...

9-Jun

23-...

7-Jul

21-Jul

4-Aug

Cumulative: Thousand Metric Tons

18-...

5-yr Avg 2016/17 2017/18
Export Sorghum: FGIS, States & Agencies

-Sorghum exports are currently 13% 

lower than last year and 20% lower 

than the 5-year average. 

- China accounts for 87% of all U.S. 

exports.

- Since the highly sensitive trade talks 

began, there has only be one sorghum 

shipment to China. (Notice the flat 

line on chart)
Export Wheat: FGIS, States & Agencies

 -

 5,000

 10,000

 15,000

 20,000

 25,000

 30,000

 35,000

 40,000

2-Sep

16-...30-...14-...28-...11-...25-...

9-Dec

23-...

6-Jan

20-...

3-Feb

17-...

3-Mar

17-...31-...14-...28-...12-...26-...

9-Jun

23-...

7-Jul

21-Jul

4-Aug

Cumulative: Thousand Metric Tons

18-...

5-yr Avg 2016/17 2017/18
Export Wheat: FGIS, States & Agencies

- Wheat exports 30% lower than last MY 

and 28% lower than the 5-year average. 

- Strong competition from the EU, 

Canada, and Australia has dampened 

export sales. However, Australia is 

currently experiencing a severe drought. 

- Currently Japan makes up 12%, Mexico 

12%, and Philippines 10% of U.S. wheat 

exports, accounting for 34% of the total. 
Australia Drought Map
Hiring Plans

• Field Office Manager

• Marketing Specialist

• Quality Assurance Specialists

• Front line

• Supervisors

• Graders

• Internal promotions

• Recent Graduates

• Technicians
Outlook

• Volume, Trade, and Expansion

• All-time records

• Uncertain short-term future

• Industry investments in capacity

• Services Offered

• Future needs

• Training, Licensing, Monitoring
Barley Sorghum

Canola Soybeans

Corn Sunflower Seed

Flaxseed Triticale

Oats Wheat

Rye Mixed Grain

U.S. Grain Standards Act

Standards
Beans Peas

Lentils Rice

U.S. Agricultural Marketing Act

Standards
Standards

Three Federal Register notices:

• Canola

• Corn

• Soybeans

Request for Information

• Published June 29, 2018

• 60-day comment period (August 28, 2018)

• Request to extend the comment period

• Dockets prepared and submitted to extend 

for 60 additional days 
D/T Power Supply Lockout Switch 

Compliance Requirements

Background: Instructions for authorizing, testing, and approving DT 

sampling systems are found in the FGIS Mechanical Sampling 

Handbook.

• Handbook revised April 2017

• Included clarification for control of hazardous energy sources 

(lockout devices) for D/T samplers

• Equipment disconnect(s) must be installed within close physical 

proximity and visual line of sight to the primary sampling system

• Enhance safety during D/T checks

Currently: Through an implementation partnership with AAGIWA and 

NGFA, and in response to concerns raised by stakeholders, FGIS has 

given facilities and agencies until January 1, 2020, to make necessary 

changes and obtain FGIS approval. Noncompliance will cause FGIS to 

suspend authorization of the sampler for official sampling.
Digitization of D/T Sampler 

Approval Package Files

Digitization Project was a collaboration between FMD, the FGIS Chief 

Innovation Officer, and the FGIS Online group

• Project encompassed the complete digitization and archiving of 

nearly 2,000 individual D/T files

• Archived files were uploaded to the FGIS Online Equipment 

Capability Testing application (ECT), and are available for electronic 

viewing 

The main goals accomplished by completing the digitization project

• Centralization of all D/T files within the ECT application

• Increased efficiency with regard to archiving, reviewing, and approving 

D/T sampling systems

• Cross divisional use by our Quality Assurance and Compliance 

Division (QACD), when reviewing F/O and O/A D/T equipment record 

files
Camera Barge Stowage Exam Pilot Project 

• On March 24, 2018, Eastern Iowa Grain Inspection began pilot 

project using a camera to perform a barge stowage exams (in 

conjunction with an official stowage exam service)

• Objective: to assess effectiveness of a camera when performing 

barge stowage exams and is safety enhanced

• Modeled after successful rail car camera stowage program

• Current Status

• Pilot ongoing
Training Programs

23

• Industry Perspectives

• New Initiative

• Appreciative to NGFA 

and NAEGA

• 2018 Recent Graduate 

Program 
Training Programs

24

• Industry Perspectives

• New Initiative

• Appreciative to NGFA 

and NAEGA

• 2018 Recent 

Graduate Program 

• Official Agency 

Managers

• 2018 – 3 Sessions –

56 Managers
Training Programs

25

• Industry Perspectives

• New Initiative

• Appreciative to NGFA and 

NAEGA

• 2018 Recent Graduate 

Program 

• Official Agency Managers

• 2018 – 3 Sessions – 56 

Managers

• Quality Assurance 

Specialists

• 2018 – Six 3-Day Sessions –

Every QAS attends
Training Programs

26

• Industry Perspectives

• New Initiative

• Appreciative to NGFA and NAEGA

• 2018 Recent Graduate Program 

• Official Agency Managers

• 2018 – 3 Sessions – 56 Managers

• Quality Assurance Specialists

• 2018 – Six 3-Day Sessions – Every 

QAS attends

• Supervisors
Training Programs

27

• Industry Perspectives

• New Initiative

• Appreciative to NGFA and NAEGA

• 2018 Recent Graduate Program 

• Official Agency Managers

• 2018 – 3 Sessions – 56 Managers

• Quality Assurance Specialists

• 2018 – Six 3-Day Sessions – Every 

QAS attends

• Supervisors

• Technicians and graders 
Performance Appraisal – Technicians 

28

• Performance Appraisal 

System for Agricultural 

Commodity Technicians

• Quantify performance

• Identify the best ACT

• Correct non-uniformity

• Ensure we are performing 

each job duty to the highest 

standard
Performance Appraisal – Technicians 

29

•How to measure? 

• Two part system

• Supervisor monitors ACT’s procedure

• Assigns 0 or 5 points for each step

• Some steps are so critical they are pass/fail 

• Fail results in immediate corrective action

• 80% of final score 

• Supervisor monitors ACT’s timeliness

• 10 minutes to process from time sample is available to grader’s desk

• 20% of final score

• Frequency of Reviews

• Once per week
Performance Appraisal – Technicians 

30

• Pilot Implementation at Two 

Field Offices

• League City - Cargill

• New Orleans – Port Allen

• 7 Functions included

• Sample Processing

• Sample Break-down, TW, M, 

and DKG/ BCFM

• Mycotoxins

• NIRT

• Stowage
Performance Appraisal – Technicians 

31
Performance Appraisal - Graders

32

Separation Summit

• Internal Program Review

• Kansas City- Feb 2018

• Support for Revision 
Comparison

• Save All Separations

• Typical Shift 16 separations

• *Assumes 30 min sublots

• 60 Factors are Critical

• QACD makes PAS selections

Current System New System

• Save a Fraction of Separations

• Typical Shift save 1-3 separations

• *Assumes 30 min sublots

• 47 Factors are Critical

• Supervisor / QAS makes PAS 

selections 

33
Comparison

• No Timeliness Requirement

• Performance Measurement

• Accuracy

• Fully Successful – 80-89%

• Exceeds – 90-100%

Current System New System

• Timeliness Requirement

• Performance Measurement

• Accuracy

• Fully Successful – 80-89%

• Exceeds – 90-100%

• Timeliness

• Fully Successful – 80-89 % of 

inspections in 30 minutes or less

• Exceeds – 90-100% of inspections in 

30 minutes or less

34
Performance Appraisal - Graders

35

• Separations Reviews

• 1

st inspection of each shift

• Supervisor discretion – Cursory Review, Over-the-Shoulder, PAS

• 1 inspection per 4 hour period

• Supervisor discretion – Cursory Review, Over-the-Shoulder, PAS

• Save all separations for samples that are meaningful, such as not 

making contract for PAS

• Minimum of 1 sample from above per shift – required for PAS

• Weekly QAS will pool all PAS samples and select 1 for PAS scoring
Performance Appraisal - Graders

36

• August 2018

• Discuss at supervisor meeting

• Issue memo to field outlining program

• Host conference call(s) with field

• Formally notify Union

• Confirm profiles accesses in FGISonline

• September 2018

• Update applicable performance plans

• Conduct training with field

• Industry outreach

• Soft open

• October 1, 2018 - Implement
Westlaco

Corpus Christi

League City

Beaumont

Official Weighing and Inspection in Texas
38

 -

 5,000

 10,000

 15,000

 20,000

 25,000

1-Oct

15-Oct29-Oct

12-Nov26-Nov10-Dec24-Dec

7-Jan

21-Jan

4-Feb

18-Feb

3-Mar

17-Mar31-Mar

14-Apr28-Apr

12-May26-May

9-Jun

23-Jun

7-Jul

21-Jul

4-Aug

18-Aug

1-Sep

15-Sep29-Sep

Cumulative: Thousand Metric Tons

5-yr Avg 2016/17 2017/18

League City Export Inspection 

Tonnage All Grains (FY)
Thank you!

Questions?