Distribution: FGIS, OSP, Industry Originating Office: TSD IIB

Contents

Contents

1. PURPOSE .........................................................................................................................2

2. BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................2

3. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS .........................................................................................3

4. PROCEDURES .................................................................................................................3

5. QUESTIONS .................................................................................................................3

Attachment 1: Grain types as displayed on the moisture meters with current calibration 

version identifiers. .................................................................................................................4

Attachment 2: Official Calibration Moisture and Temperature Ranges ................................7

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United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Grain Inspection Service

Directive 9180.61 August 1, 2023

OFFICIAL MOISTURE CALIBRATIONS FOR UNIFIED GRAIN

MOISTURE ALGORITHM (UGMA) COMPATIBLE METERS 
FGIS Directive 9180.61 August 1, 2023

Page 2

1. PURPOSE

This directive defines the official calibrations for use with the DICKEY-john GAC 2500- 

UGMA, DICKEY-john GAC 2700-UGMA, PerkinElmer AM 5200-A, and FOSS GAC 

2500-C moisture meters used by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and its 

system of Official Inspection Providers for official grain moisture measurement.

2. BACKGROUND

This directive specifies updated official UGMA-compatible moisture meter calibrations 

for Long Grain Milled Rice (All Models), and Medium Grain Milled Rice (All Models), for

which moisture results will be changed.

To maintain compatibility with state regulatory programs for moisture meters certified for

test weight measurements, test weight coefficients were updated for Long Grain Rough

Rice (All Models) and Sorghum (DICKEY-John/FOSS). Test weight coefficients are

combined with moisture coefficients into a single calibration file and the changes for

these grains are for test weight only and will not affect moisture results unless otherwise

noted above.

This directive also restates all calibrations transmitted in the previous directive dated

May 1, 2023.

AMS requires that its official moisture instruments conform to National Type Evaluation

Program requirements so they can be used for commercial as well as official grain

inspection. The NTEP requirements are stated in the National Conference on Weights

and Measures: Publication 14 Grain Moisture Meters & Near Infrared Grain Analyzers

©2023.

AMS’s calibration accuracy criteria, more restrictive than the NTEP requirements, 

mandates that the average difference between the results from a meter model and the 

USDA air oven method must not exceed +/- 0.15 percent moisture (for the most recent 

three years of data for the NTEP grains and for five years of data for the minor

grains). The tolerance is increased slightly if the number of available samples is small. 

Tolerances for agreement between UGMA-Compatible meter models and AMS’s 

master UGMA system are defined in CRITERIA FOR UNIFIED GRAIN MOISTURE 

ALGORITHM (UGMA) AND OFFICIAL SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY (available on the

AMS website).

Attachment 1 lists the DICKEY-john GAC 2500-UGMA (FOSS GAC 2500-C), DICKEYjohn GAC 2700-UGMA, and PerkinElmer AM 5200-A calibration versions for the major 

grains (those grains that are also included in the NTEP) and for non-NTEP minor grains 

and commodities for official grain moisture measurements. The FOSS GAC 2500-C 

and DICKEY-john GAC 2700-UGMA uses the same calibrations as the DICKEY- john 

GAC 2500-UGMA. Attachment 2 lists calibration moisture ranges and temperature 

ranges applicable to both meter models. The basic sample temperature range across all 

moisture contents and all grains is 0 to 45 °C (32 to 113 °F). The lower temperature limit 

is extended to -18 °C (-0.4 °F) for moisture levels below the limits indicated for each 

grain type in Attachment 2. Moisture readings are automatically inhibited when sample 

temperatures are outside the specified ranges.
FGIS Directive 9180.61 August 1, 2023

Page 3

 3. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

This directive replaces Directive 9180.61, Official Moisture Meter Calibrations, dated,

May 1, 2023.

4. PROCEDURES

Official calibration files and installation instructions for both the DICKEY-john GAC 

2500- UGMA and the PerkinElmer AM 5200-A are available for download at Moisture 

Equipment 

(https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/fgis/standardization/moisture-equipment). Official 

calibrations and updates to calibrations must be installed on the FOSS GAC 2500-C 

remotely through the FossManager network software. Please contact FOSS at (952) 

974-9892 ext. 3 to request the latest calibration be updated to your GAC 2500-C. All 

official inspection laboratories shall use these official calibrations for the DICKEYjohn GAC 2500-UGMA, DICKEY-john GAC 2700-UGMA, PerkinElmer AM 5200-A, 

and FOSS GAC 2500-C meters for all grains and commodities for official inspections 

performed on and after August 1, 2023.

5. QUESTIONS

Direct any questions concerning this directive to the Inspection Instrumentation Branch 

at (816) 702-3800.

Attachments 
FGIS Directive 9180.61 Attachment 1

August 1, 2023 Page 4

Attachment 1: Grain types as displayed on the moisture meters with current calibration 

version identifiers.

Grain/Commodity Name

Displayed

Grain Type

PerkinElmer 

AM 5200-A 

Calibration Version

DICKEY-john 

GAC 2500-UGMA 

Calibration 

Version

Calibration 

Effective Date*

NTEP GRAINS

Barley, Six-rowed Barley 6Row BAR 200417 20200415N May 1, 2020

Barley, Two-rowed Barley 2Row BAR 200417 20200415N May 1, 2020

Corn Corn CORN 210414 20200415N Aug. 1, 2020 (D)

Aug. 1, 2021 (P)

Oats Oats OATS 190415 20230412N May 1, 2023 (D)

May 1, 2019 (P)

Rice, Long Grain Rough Rice LG Ruf LGRR230415 20230412N Aug. 1, 2023

Rice, Medium Grain Rough Rice MG Ruf MGRR 220415 20220413N Aug. 1, 2022

Sorghum Sorghum SORG 200417 20230412N Aug. 1, 2023 (D)

Aug.1, 2020 (P)

Soybeans Soybeans SOY 220415 20220413N Aug. 1, 2022

Sunflower seed (Oil-Type) Sunflower SFS 220415 20220413N Aug. 1, 2022

Wheat, Durum Durum DURUM 180417 20170417N May 1, 2019 (D)

May 1, 2018 (P)

Wheat, Hard Red Spring Wheat HRS WHTH 190415 20200415N May 1, 2020 (D) 

May 1, 2019 (P)

Wheat, Hard Red Winter Wheat HRW WHTH 190415 20200415N May 1, 2020 (D)

May 1, 2019 (P)

Wheat, Hard White Wheat HW WHTH 190415 20200415N May 1, 2020 (D)

May 1, 2019 (P)

Wheat, Soft Red Winter Wheat SRW WHTS 200417 20200415N May 1, 2020

Wheat, Soft White Wheat SW WHTS 200417 20200415N May 1, 2020

NON-NTEP GRAINS

Beans, Baby Lima BN Baby Lima BEAN2 210414 20210414 Aug. 1, 2021

Beans, Black BN Black BEAN3 200417 20130501 May 1, 2013 (D)

Aug. 1, 2020 (P)

Beans, Blackeye BN Blackeye BEAN1 200417 20130501 May 1, 2013 (D)

Aug. 1, 2020 (P)

Beans, Cranberry BN Cranberry BEAN1 200417 20130501 May 1, 2013 (D)

Aug. 1, 2020 (P)

Beans, Kidney BN Kidney BEAN5 200417 20180414 Aug. 1, 2018 (D)

Aug. 1, 2020 (P)

Beans, Garbanzo BN Garbanzo BEAN2 210414 20210414 Aug. 1, 2021

*Note: Calibration effective dates with a (D) apply to the DICKEY-john GAC 2500-UGMA, DICKEY-john GAC 2700- 

UGMA, and FOSS GAC 2500-C. Dates with a (P) apply to the PerkinElmer AM 5200-A, and dates without a ( ) apply 

to all models.
FGIS Directive 9180.61 Attachment 1

August 1, 2023 Page 5

Grain/Commodity Name

Displayed

Grain Type

PerkinElmer 

AM 5200-A 

Calibration Version

DICKEY-john 

GAC 2500-UGMA 

Calibration 

Version

Calibration 

Effective Date*

Beans, Great Northern BN Grt Nrthn BEAN3 200417 20220413 Aug. 1, 2022 (D)

Aug. 1, 2020(P)

Beans, Large Lima BN Lrg Lima BEAN3 200417 20130501 May 1, 2013 (D) 

Aug. 1, 2020 (P)

Beans, Pea BN Pea BEAN4 200417 20130501 May 1, 2013 (D)

Aug. 1, 2020 (P)

Beans, Pink BN Pink BEAN1 200417 20130501 May 1, 2013 (D)

Aug. 1, 2020 (P)

Beans, Pinto BN Pinto BEAN1 200417 20170417 Aug. 1, 2017 (D)

Aug. 1, 2020 (P)

Beans, Small Red BN Small Red BEAN2 210414 20210414 Aug. 1, 2021

Beans, Small White BN Small Wht BEAN4 200417 20130501 May 1, 2013 (D)

Aug. 1, 2020 (P)

Beans, Yelloweye BN Yelloweye BEAN2 210414 20210414 Aug. 1, 2021

Canola Canola CANOLA 190415 20190415 Aug. 1, 2019

Flaxseed Flaxseed FLAX 140418 20130501 May 1, 2013 (D) 

Aug. 1, 2014 (P)

Lentils Lentils BEAN5 200417 20180414 Aug. 1, 2018 (D)

Aug 1, 2020 (P)

Mustard seed, Brown Mustard Brn MUSTARD 130415 20130501 May 1, 2013

Mustard seed, Oriental Mustard O OMUSTARD 130415 20130501 May 1, 2013

Mustard seed, Yellow Mustard Y MUSTARD 130415 20130501 May 1, 2013

Peas, Mottled Peas Mottled PEAS 220415 20200415 Aug. 1, 2020 (D)

Aug. 1, 2022 (P)

Peas, Smooth Dry Peas Smooth PEAS 220415 20200415 Aug. 1, 2020 (D)

Aug. 1, 2022 (P)

Peas, Split Peas Split BEAN1 200417 20130501 May 1, 2013 (D)

Aug. 1, 2020 (P)

Peas, Wrinkled Dry Peas Wrinkld PEAS 220415 20200415 Aug. 1, 2020 (P)

Aug. 1, 2022 (P)

Popcorn Popcorn POPCORN 150420 20150420 Aug. 1, 2015

Rapeseed Rapeseed CANOLA 190415 20190415 Aug. 1, 2019

Rice, Brewers Milled Rice BMR SMRICE 140418 20140418 Aug. 1, 2014

Rice, Brewers Milled Parboiled Rice BMRP PBRICE 210414 20220413 Aug. 1, 2022 (D)

Aug. 1, 2021 (P)

Rice, Long Grain Brown Rice LGBR BRRICE 140418 20140418 Aug. 1, 2014

Rice, Long Grain Brown Parboiled Rice LGBRP PBRICE 210414 20220413 Aug. 1, 2022 (D)

Aug. 1, 2021(P)

*Note: Calibration effective dates with a (D) apply to the DICKEY-john GAC 2500-UGMA, DICKEY-john GAC 2700- 

UGMA, and FOSS GAC 2500-C. Dates with a (P) apply to the PerkinElmer AM 5200-A, and dates without a ( ) apply 

to all models.
FGIS Directive 9180.61 Attachment 1

August 1, 2023 Page 6

Grain/Commodity Name

Displayed

Grain Type

PerkinElmer 

AM 5200-A 

Calibration Version

DICKEY-john 

GAC 2500-UGMA 

Calibration 

Version

Calibration 

Effective Date*

Rice, Long Grain Milled Rice LGMR LMRICE 230415 20230412 Aug. 1, 2023

Rice, Long Grain Milled Parboiled Rice LGMRP PBRICE 210414 20220413 Aug. 1, 2022 (D)

Aug. 1, 2021 (P)

Rice, Medium Grain Brown Rice MGBR BRRICE 140418 20140418 Aug. 1, 2014

Rice, Medium Grain Milled Rice MGMR LMRICE 230415 20230412 Aug. 1, 2023

Rice, Medium Grain Milled Parboiled Rice MGMRP PBRICE 210414 20220413 Aug. 1, 2022 (D)

Aug. 1, 2021 (P)

Rice, Screenings Milled Rice SMR SMRICE 140418 20140418 Aug. 1, 2014

Rice, Second Head Milled Rice SHMR SMRICE 140418 20140418 Aug. 1, 2014

Rice, Second Head Milled Parboiled Rice SHMRP PBRICE 210414 20220413 Aug. 1, 2022 (D)

Aug. 1, 2021 (P)

Rice, Short Grain Brown Rice SGBR BRRICE 140418 20140418 Aug. 1, 2014

Rice, Short Grain Milled Rice SGMR SMRICE 140418 20140418 Aug. 1, 2014

Rice, Short Grain Rough Rice SG Ruf SGRR 190415 20190415 Aug. 1, 2019

Rye Rye RYE 230415 20230412 May 1, 2023

Safflower seed Safflower SAFFL 140418 20130501 May 1, 2013 (D) 

Aug. 1, 2014 (P)

Sunflower seed (Confectionary) Sunflwr Conf SFS 220415 20220413 Aug. 1, 2022

Triticale Triticale RYE 230415 20230412 May 1, 2023

NON-STANDARDIZED GRAINS

Barley, Hulless Barley Hless BAR 200417 20200415 May 1, 2020

Buckwheat Buckwheat BKWHT 140418 20140418 Aug. 1, 2014

Buckwheat Groats Buckwheat Gr BKWHT 140418 20140418 Aug. 1, 2014

Oats, Hulless Oats Hless DURUM 150420 20150420 May 1, 2015

*Note: Calibration effective dates with a (D) apply to the DICKEY-john GAC 2500-UGMA, DICKEY-john GAC 2700- 

UGMA, and FOSS GAC 2500-C. Dates with a (P) apply to the PerkinElmer AM 5200-A, and dates without a ( ) apply 

to all models.
FGIS Directive 9180.61 Attachment 2

August 1, 2023 Page 7

Attachment 2: Official Calibration Moisture and Temperature Ranges

Official calibration moisture ranges (outside of which warnings are displayed) and upper 

moisture limits for moisture measurements when sample temperatures are below 0 °C (32 °F). 

The upper sample temperature limit is 45 °C (113 °F) for all grain types. 

Grain/Commodity

Name

Calibration Moisture

Range (%)

Temperature limit extended

to -18°C (0 °F) for moisture 

less than __%

NTEP GRAINS

Barley, Six-rowed 8-18 18

Barley, Two-rowed 8-18 18

Corn 6-46 19

Oats 8-16 13

Rice, Long Grain Rough 8-26 18

Rice, Medium Grain Rough 8-28 18

Sorghum 10-24 16

Soybeans 5-24 20

Sunflower seed (Oil-Type) 4-28 13

Wheat, Durum 4-30 19

Wheat, Hard Red Spring 6-22 19

Wheat, Hard Red Winter 6-22 19

Wheat, Hard White 6-22 19

Wheat, Soft Red Winter 7-24 19

Wheat, Soft White 7-24 19

NON-NTEP GRAINS

Beans, Baby Lima 6-20 15

Beans, Black 8-20 15

Beans, Blackeye 8-20 15

Beans, Cranberry 8-20 15

Beans, Kidney 6-20 15

Beans, Garbanzo 6-20 15

Beans, Great Northern 8-20 15

Beans, Large Lima 8-20 15

Beans, Pea 8-22 15

Beans, Pink 8-20 15

Beans, Pinto 8-20 15

Beans, Small Red 6-20 15

Beans, Small White 8-22 15

Beans, Yelloweye 6-20 15
FGIS Directive 9180.61 Attachment 2

August 1, 2023 Page 8

Grain/Commodity

Name

Calibration Moisture

Range (%)

Temperature limit extended

to -18°C (0 °F) for moisture 

less than __%

Canola 4-14 18

Flaxseed 6-14 10

Lentils 6-20 15

Mustard Seed, Brown 6-12 9

Mustard Seed, Oriental 6-18 9

Mustard Seed, Yellow 6-12 9

Peas, Mottled 6-16 15

Peas, Smooth Dry 6-16 15

Peas, Split 8-20 15

Peas, Wrinkled Dry 6-16 15

Popcorn 10-30 19

Rapeseed 4-14 18

Rice, Brewers Milled 10-16 16

Rice, Brewers Milled Parboiled 10-14 13

Rice, Long Grain Brown 10-22 16

Rice, Long Grain Brown Parboiled 10-14 13

Rice, Long Grain Milled 10-18 16

Rice, Long Grain Milled Parboiled 10-14 13

Rice, Medium Grain Brown 10-22 16

Rice, Medium Grain Milled 10-18 16

Rice, Medium Grain Milled Parboiled 10-14 13

Rice, Screenings Milled 10-16 16

Rice, Second Head Milled 10-16 16

Rice, Second Head Milled Parboiled 10-14 13

Rice, Short Grain Brown 10-22 16

Rice, Short Grain Milled 10-16 16

Rice, Short Grain Rough 10-28 18

Rye 8-16 16

Safflower seed 4-14 12

Sunflower seed (Confectionary) 4-28 13

Triticale 8-16 16

NON-STANDARDIZED GRAINS

Barley, Hulless 8-18 18

Buckwheat 10-19 13

Buckwheat Groats 10-19 13

Oats, Hulless 4-30 19