United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Grain Inspection Service

Directive 9180.65 March 14, 2022

Distribution: FGIS, OSP, Industry Originating Office: FMD PPMAB

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employer.

INSPECTION OF HULLESS BARLEY

Contents

INSPECTION OF HULLESS BARLEY ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������1

1. PURPOSE����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

3. GENERAL INFORMATION���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

4. DEFINITION OF HULLESS BARLEY�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������

5. BASIS OF DETERMINATION ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

6. FACTORS DETERMINED BEFORE REMOVAL OF DOCKAGE ����������������������������������������

7. FACTORS DETERMINED AFTER REMOVAL OF DOCKAGE��������������������������������������������

8. CERTIFICATION ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

9. QUESTIONS ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1
FGIS Directive 9180.65 March 14, 2022

Page 2

1. PURPOSE

This directive establishes uniform procedures for the factor analysis of Hulless barley as 

“Not Standardized Grain” under the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGS

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

This directive is revised to specify that any moisture meter listed as approved in 

the Moisture Handbook can be used to determine moisture content. This directive

supersedes FGIS Program Directive 9180.65, dated 5/01/1

3. GENERAL INFORMATION

a. Inspection of Hulless barley is upon request and on a factor only basi

b. There are no classes, subclasses, or numerical grades for Hulless barle

c. In addition to the factor analysis described in this directive, applicant may request

other quality information (e.g., an exact count on stones in addition to th

percentage by weight, a percentage for a specific type of damage, etc.).

d. Official personnel shall document information observed during sampling and 

testing

e. All quantities referenced in this directive are approximate unless otherwise

specified.

f. Use an approved divider to obtain sub-portions of a sample for analysis unless

otherwise specified.

g. If an approved mechanical shaker is unavailable, inspectors may hand-sieve the

sample

h. Under USGSA regulations there are four inspection levels: original inspection

re-inspection, appeal inspection, and board appeal inspection

4. DEFINITION OF HULLESS BARLEY

Hulless barley, as used in this directive, is grain that before the removal of dockage, 

consists of 80 percent or more of whole kernels of Hulless barley and not more than 

20 percent of other grains for which standards have been established. It includes all

varieties of Hulless barley

Whole kernels are kernels with three-fourths or more of the kernel present

Other grains for which standards have been established are barley, canola, corn, 

flaxseed, oats, rye, sorghum, soybeans, sunflower seed, triticale, and wheat.
FGIS Directive 9180.65 March 14, 2022

Page 3

Hulless barley is recognized by a non-adhering hull (palea and lemma) that is normally 

removed in the threshing process or can be removed easily by hand

Visually examine the sample to determine if it meets the definition of Hulless barley. If 

an analysis is necessary, make the determination before the removal of dockage on a

25-gram portion

5. BASIS OF DETERMINATION

Certain Quality Determinations. Each determination of rodent pellets, bird droppings,

other animal filth, broken glass, castor beans, cockleburs, crotalaria seeds, dockage, 

garlic, live insect infestation, large stones, moisture, temperature, unknown foreign 

substance(s), and a commonly recognized harmful or toxic substance(s) is made on 

the basis of the sample as a whole. When a condition exists that may not appear in

the representative sample, the determination may be made on the basis of the lot as a 

whole at the time of sampling according to procedures prescribed in FGIS instructions

All Other Determinations. All other determinations, except the determination of odor, are

made on dockage-free Hulless barley representative sample. Odor is determined on the

basis of the grain as a whole or the grain when free from dockage

Lot as

a Whole

Factors Determined

Before the Removal

of Dockage

Factors Determined

After the Removal

of Dockage

Distinctly low quality

Heating

Infested

Odor

Distinctly low quality

Garlicky

Heating

Infested

Kind of grain

Moisture

Odor

Purity

Broken kernels

Damaged kernels

Ergot

Foreign material

Odor

Other grains

Smut

Stones

Test weight

Thin Hulless barley

Wild oats
FGIS Directive 9180.65 March 14, 2022

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6. FACTORS DETERMINED BEFORE REMOVAL OF DOCKAGE

a. Purit

Basis of Determination. Upon request, determine purity on a representative portion

of the original sample before the removal of dockage. Determine percent purity

by weight of kernels and parts of kernels that meet the definition of Hulless barley 

using a 25-gram portion. Record the percentage of Hulless barley on the work

record and the certificate.

b. Heatin

Hulless barley developing a high temperature from excessive respiration is 

considered heating. Advanced stage of heating Hulless barley will usually have

a sour or musty odor. Care should be taken not to confuse Hulless barley that is

heating with Hulless barley that is warm and moist because of storage in bins, 

railcars, or other containers during hot weather

Basis of Determination. Determine heating on evidence obtained at the time of

sampling or on the sample either before or after the removal of dockage. Record

the word “Heating” on the work record and the certificate.

c. Odo

Basis of Determination. Determine odor on evidence obtained at the time of

sampling or on the sample either before or after the removal of dockage. Odor

classification examples are shown in the following table:

Odor Classification Examples

Sour Musty Commercially Objectionable

Foreign Odors

Boot

Fermenting

Insect (acrid)

Pigpen

Ground

Insect

Moldy

Animal hides

Decaying animal and vegetable matter

Fertilizer

Fumigant

Insecticide

Oil products

Skunk

Smoke

Strong weed

* Commercially Objectionable Foreign Odors are odors, except smut and garlic 

odors, foreign to grain that renders it unfit for normal commercial usage.

Fumigant or insecticide odors are considered commercially objectionable 

foreign odors if they linger and do not dissipate. When a sample of Hulless

barley contains a fumigant or insecticide odor that prevents a determination 

as to whether any other odor(s) exists, apply the following guidelines:
FGIS Directive 9180.65 March 14, 2022

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Original Inspections. Allow the work portion to aerate in an open container for

4 hours or less, if the odor dissipates in less time

Re-inspection, Appeal, and Board Appeal Inspections. Allow unworked file 

samples and new samples to aerate in an open container for 4 hours, or less, 

if the odor dissipates in less time. The 4-hour aeration requirement does not

apply when the original work portion was aerated and retained as the final file.

Consider the sample as having a commercially objectionable foreign odor if 

the fumigant or insecticide odor persists based on the above criteria

Final Determinations. The inspector is responsible for making the final 

determination for all odors. A consensus of experienced inspectors is used,

whenever possible, on samples containing marginal odors. The consensus

approach is not required if no odor or a distinct odor is detected. Record the

words “Musty,” “Sour,” or “COFO” on the work record and the certificate.

d. Moistur

This directive is revised to specify that any moisture meter listed as approved in 

the Moisture Handbook can be used to determine moisture content. This directive

supersedes FGIS Program Directive 9180.65, dated 5/01/1

Basis of Determination. Determine moisture on a representative portion of

approximately 650 grams of the original sample before the removal of dockage

Certification. Record the method and the percentage of moisture on the work

record and the certificate to the nearest one-tenth percent.

e. Garlicky Hulless Barle

Hulless barley that contains three or more green garlic bulblets or an equivalent 

quantity of dry or partly dry bulblets in 500 grams of Hulless barley

Basis of Determination. Determine garlicky on a 500-gram representative portion of

the original sample before the removal of dockage

Green garlic bulblets are bulblets which have retained all of their husks intact. Dry

or partly dry garlic bulblets are bulblets which have lost all or part of their husks

Consider bulblets with cracked husks as dry bulblets

Note: Three dry or partly dry garlic bulblets are equal to one green bulblet.

If three or more green garlic bulblets or equivalent dry or partly dry bulblets 

are present in 500-gram representative portion, apply the special designation 

“Garlicky.” Garlic bulblets used in the determination of “Garlicky” also function as

dockage or foreign material
FGIS Directive 9180.65 March 14, 2022

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When applicable, record the word “Garlicky” on the work record and the certificate. 

Upon request, provide the number of garlic bulblets in whole to the hundredths 

position (e.g., 1/3 = 0.33, 2/3 = 0

f. Infested Hulless Barle

Hulless barley that is infested with live weevils or other live insects injurious to 

stored grain

The presence of any live weevil or other live insects injurious to stored grain found 

in the work sample indicates the probability of infestation and warns that the 

Hulless barley must be carefully examined to determine if it is infested. In such

cases, examine the work sample and the file sample before reaching a conclusion 

as to whether or not the Hulless barley is infested. Do not examine the file sample 

if the work portion is insect free

Live weevils include rice weevils, granary weevils, maize weevils, cowpea weevils, 

and lesser grain borers. Other live insects injurious to stored grain shall include

grain beetles, grain moths, and larvae

Determine infestation on the lot as a whole and/or the sample as a whole. Insect

tolerances are shown in the following table

Samples meeting or exceeding any one of these tolerances are infested: 

2 lw, or 1 lw + 5 oli, or 10 oli

I. 1,000-Gram Representative Sample 

(+ file sample if needed)

- Submitted Samples

- Probed Lots

- D/T Sampled Landcarriers

II. Lot as a Whole (Stationary

- Probed Lots (at time of sampling)

III. Online Sample (In-Motion) 

- Railcars Under Cu-Sum

- Subsamples for Sacked Grain Lots

- Components for Bargelots 3

- Components for Shiplots 3

1

 Examine work portion and file sample if necessary. Do not examine file sample if work portion is 

 insect free.

2

 Minimum sampling rate is 500 grams per 2,000 bushels.

3

 Minimum component size is 10,000 bushels.

Key: lw = live weevil Oli = other live insects injurious to stored grain

When applicable, record the word “Infested” on the work record and the certificate.

g. Distinctly Low Qualit

Consider Hulless barley to be of distinctly low quality when it is obviously of inferior 

quality and the existing factors or guidelines do not properly reflect the inferior 
FGIS Directive 9180.65 March 14, 2022

Page 7

condition

Use all available information to determine whether the Hulless barley is of distinctly 

low quality. This includes a general examination of the Hulless barley during

sampling and an analysis of the obtained sample(s)

Large Debris. Hulless barley containing two or more stones, pieces of glass,

pieces of concrete, or other pieces of wreckage or debris that are visible to the 

sampler and too large to enter the sampling device is considered distinctly low 

quality

Other Unusual Conditions. Hulless barley that is obviously affected by other 

unusual conditions that adversely affect the quality of the Hulless barley and 

cannot be properly defined by use of the quality factors specified is considered to 

be distinctly low quality

Hulless barley suspected of containing diatomaceous earth is considered to be 

distinctly low quality unless the applicant specifically requests an examination to 

verify the presence of diatomaceous earth. If the laboratory examination verifies 

that the Hulless barley contains diatomaceous earth, the Hulless barley is not 

considered to be distinctly low quality due to diatomaceous earth

When applicable, record the word “Distinctly Low Quality” and the reason(s) for the 

determination on the work record and the certificate.

h. Dockag

All matter other than Hulless barley that can be removed from the original sample 

by the use of an approved device according to procedures prescribed in FGIS 

instructions for dockage determination in barley

Determine dockage on a portion of approximately 1000 grams representative 

sample using a dockage tester as follows:

(1) Set air control on 4 and the feed control to “6”

(2) Insert No. 6 riddle in the riddle carriage, a No. 8 sieve in the top sieve carriag

and No. 6 sieve in the middle sieve carriag

Aspirated material in air collection pan, materials over No. 6 riddle (excluding

barley), and material that passed through the No. 6 sieve (bottom collection

pan) is dockage. For more information, see Section 2.15 of the Grain Inspectio

Handbook, Book II, Barley

Record the word “Dockage” and the percentage of dockage on the work record 

and on the certificate. Record the percentage of dockage in half and whole percent 

with fraction less than one-half percent disregarded
FGIS Directive 9180.65 March 14, 2022

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7. FACTORS DETERMINED AFTER REMOVAL OF DOCKAGE

a. Test Weigh

The weight per Winchester bushel (2,150.42 cubic inches) as determined using an

approved device according to procedures prescribed in FGIS instructions

Determine test weight (TW) on a dockage-free portion of sufficient quantity to 

overflow the kettle.

Record TW on the work record and on the certificate in half and whole pounds with 

fractions of less than one-half pound disregarded

b. Ergot

Hulless barley that contains more than 0.10 percent ergo

Ergot is a hard, reddish-brown or black grain-like mass of certain parasitic fungi 

that replaces the kernels of Hulless barley

Basis of Determination. Determine ergot on a dockage-free portion of 250 gram

Ergot also functions as foreign material. Record the word “Ergoty” and the

percentage of ergot to the nearest hundredth percent on the work records and 

certificate.

c. Smu

Smut is a plant disease characterized by the appearance of smut balls or smut 

spores. Hulless barley that has kernels covered with smut spores to give a smutty

appearance in mass, or which contains more than 0.20 percent smut ball

Basis of Determination. Determine the appearance by weight of smutty Hulless

barley on a dockage-free work portion of 500 grams. Smut balls also function as

foreign material. Record the word “Smutty” and the percentage of smut balls to the

nearest hundredth percent on the work record and certificate.

d. Thi

Thin Hulless barley is barley that passes through a 5/64 x 3/4 slotted-hole sieve in 

accordance with procedures prescribed in FGIS’s instructions

Basis of Determination. Determine thin barley on a dockage-free portion of 250

grams using either the mechanical sieving method or the hand sieving method

When hand-sieving, hold the sieve level in both hands with elbows close to the 

sides. In a steady motion, move the sieve from left to right approximately 10 inches

and then return from right to left

Repeat this motion 30 times. Return all material lodged in the perforations of the

sieve to the barley remaining on top of the sieve. Record the percentage of thin

barley on the work record and the certificate to the nearest tenth percent.
FGIS Directive 9180.65 March 14, 2022

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e. Damaged Kernel

Kernels, pieces of Hulless barley kernels, other grains, and wild oats that are 

badly ground-damaged, badly weather-damaged, diseased, frost-damaged, germdamaged, heat-damaged, insect-bored, mold-damaged, sprout-damaged, or 

otherwise materially damaged

In general, kernels of Hulless barley, other grains, or wild oats are considered 

damaged for inspection purposes only when the damage is distinctly apparent and 

of such character as to be recognized as damaged for commercial purposes

Basis of Determination. Determine damaged kernels on a dockage-free portion of

25 grams. Record the percentage of damaged kernels on the work record and on

the certificate to the nearest one-tenth percent.

f. Foreign Materia

All matter other than Hulless barley, other grains, and wild oats that remains in the 

sample after the removal of dockage

Basis of Determination. Determine foreign material on a dockage-free portion

of 25 grams. Record the percent of foreign material on the work record and the

certificate to the nearest tenth percent.

g. Wild Oat

Seeds of Avena fatua L. and A. sterilis

Basis of Determination. Determine wild oats on a dockage-free portion of 25

grams

Wild Oats Characteristics. Wild oats are identified usually by their slender kernels 

and twisted awns so called “sucker mouths” and basal hairs or bristles on the germ 

end of the kernel. Record the percentage of wild oats on the work record and the

certificate to the nearest one-tenth percent.

h. Broken Kernel

Broken kernels are Hulless barley kernels with more than 1/4 of the kernel 

removed

Basis of Determination. Determine broken kernels on a dockage-free portion of 25

grams. Record the percent of broken kernels on the work record and the certificate 

to the nearest one-tenth percent

8. CERTIFICATION

Record “Not Standardized Grain” on the “Grade and Kind” line and “Hulless 

barley” in the “Remarks” section of the official inspection certificate. Report factor 

results and other information in the appropriate factor block or in the “Results” 

section of the certificate.
FGIS Directive 9180.65 March 14, 2022

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9. QUESTIONS

Direct any questions concerning this directive to the Policies, Procedures, and 

Market Analysis Branch at (202) 720-0228