Distribution: OSP Originating Office:TSD

Contents

Contents ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1

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

2. BACKGROUND��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

3. EFFECTIVE DATE ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

4. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

5. RESPONSIBILITIES�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

6. ASSIGNMENTS FOR SELECTED FIELD OFFICES�����������������������������������������������������������

7. INSTRUCTIONS�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and 

policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA 

programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity 

(including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income 

derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, 

in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and 

complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, 

large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET 

Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 

Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, 

found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed 

to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint 

form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) 

fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Grain Inspection Service

Program Notice FGIS-PN-23-05 June 6, 2023

SAMPLE COLLECTION RESPONSIBILITIES FOR VERIFYING

THE ACCURACY OF MOISTURE METER CALIBRATIONS CROP YEAR 2023
FGIS Notice PN-23-05 June 6, 2023 

Page 2 

1. PURPOSE

This program notice transmits collection assignments for samples needed to verify 

the accuracy of official moisture meter calibrations. It also restates the procedure for 

collecting and submitting samples.

2. BACKGROUND

The annual Moisture Meter Calibration Study is conducted on current year crop samples 

to assess the accuracy of the official inspection system and of National Type Evaluation 

Program (NTEP)-certified moisture meters. Each year, the evaluation is performed 

on samples submitted to the Inspection Instrumentation Branch (IIB) from the field 

offices and official service providers. Sample collection assignments for the respective 

offices are based on three years of crop production data within the geographic areas of 

responsibility. 

Calibrations will be verified over the working moisture ranges but there is a significant 

need for samples that extend the moisture ranges shown in Directive 9180.61, Official 

Moisture Calibrations for UGMA-Compatible Meters. While it is understood that all 

requested moisture levels may not be available in all areas every year, field offices 

should make all reasonable efforts to provide the requested number of samples in each 

moisture range and to find samples at the moisture extremes requested.

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

This program notice is effective upon receipt for the 2023 crop production. Wheat 

samples should be submitted by October 01, 2023, and all other grain samples by 

December 15, 2023.

4. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

This program notice supersedes FGIS PN-22-06, dated June 6, 2022

5. RESPONSIBILITIES

The collection and submission of samples for the annual Moisture Meter Calibration 

Study are considered regular duties of the selected field offices. All associated time will 

be charged to the field office standardization management code.

6. ASSIGNMENTS FOR SELECTED FIELD OFFICES

The 2023 sample request is similar to the 2022 request, which was reduced for some 

grains from previous years, due to the improved capability of the UGMA moisture 

meters. With this reduction, it becomes significantly more important that each office give 

their best effort to fulfill their request as stated in Table 1, so that the calibrations can be 

maintained with the same confidence as in the past.

During the 2023 growing season, the indicated numbers of samples of the commodities 

listed in Table 1 must be collected, tested for moisture, and submitted by the respective 

field offices to TSD-IIB. Each sample should weigh approximately 1500 grams.
FGIS Notice PN-23-05 June 6, 2023 

Page 3 

7. INSTRUCTIONS

a. The purpose of this effort is to obtain representative samples from the entire

nation. Therefore, it is important to have each office fill its quota at all moisture 

levels, if possible. However, do not submit extra samples in any moisture range, 

and do not adjust the moisture level of samples by adding water or by drying in the 

laboratory.

b. Samples with moisture levels beyond the established moisture ranges are valuable

for extending these ranges. For this reason, some of the ranges of requested

samples (Table 1) have been extended beyond established limits. When

submitting samples, if the moisture falls outside the range of the applicable official 

moisture meter calibration, obtain an approximate moisture. The true moisture will 

later be determined at TSD by air oven.

c. If dockage is removed for inspection purposes, do not recombine it before 

submitting the sample.

d. The significant amount of time and effort invested in collecting and submitting 

the moisture samples can easily be lost through insect damage, microbial spoilage, 

or late sample submission. To prevent such loss, please collect the samples during

the growing season and at harvest time and submit them promptly. Samples 

above 16 percent (above 14 percent for sunflower seeds and 11 percent for minor 

oilseeds) require special handling. To minimize loss by spoilage, keep high 

moisture samples refrigerated (not frozen) until shipped and ship the samples by

UPS at least 48 hours before a weekend/holiday.

e. An easy way to account for samples submitted is to prepare mailing tags 

[Attachment 1] for the total number of samples of each commodity to be collected. 

On the back of each tag, write the commodity and moisture range. When all of the 

mailing tags are used, the collection assignment has been met.

f. The UGMA-Compatible moisture meters have a built-in test weight correction.

These corrections need to be checked using external test weight data. For

samples of sufficient volume, test weight will be determined by TSD-IIB, so it is not

necessary to record test weight on the mailing tag. However, some submitted

samples are too small to fill the kettle. For such samples, please record the test

weight on the tag (or transmittal slip) if it is known.

g. Questions concerning these instructions should be directed to (816)

702-3873. If there is a special problem with a sample assignment, please notify

the Moisture Laboratory at (816) 702-3884, as early in the season as possible. 
FGIS Notice PN-23-05 June 6, 2023 

Page 4 

h. Seal each sample in a polyethylene bag (6 mil thickness) and insert the bag into

a canvas grain bag. When shipping several samples in a larger container (box or

mail sack), a canvas grain bag around each poly bag will help prevent the poly

bags from breaking in transit. Record the field office location, date, commodity,

official meter moisture, and test weight (if sample size is limited) on the back of 

the mailing tag or transmittal form [Attachment 1] accompanying the sample

Attach the mailing tag to the bag. Send samples to:

 USDA AMS-NGC

Technology & Science Division

Moisture Laboratory

10383 N. Ambassador Drive

Kansas City, MO 64153-1394

Attachments
FGIS Notice PN-23-05 June 6, 2023 

Page 5 

Attachment 1: Moisture Sample Transmittal Form

Moisture Sample Transmittal Form

Field Office Use Only:

OFFICE _________ MOISTURE __________

DATE _________ TEST WT. ___________

COMMODITY _________________________

TSD Use Only: Date Received

Moisture Sample Transmittal Form

Field Office Use Only:

OFFICE _________ MOISTURE __________

DATE _________ TEST WT. ___________

COMMODITY _________________________

TSD Use Only: Date Received

Moisture Sample Transmittal Form

Field Office Use Only:

OFFICE _________ MOISTURE __________

DATE _________ TEST WT. ___________

COMMODITY _________________________

TSD Use Only: Date Received

Moisture Sample Transmittal Form

Field Office Use Only:

OFFICE _________ MOISTURE __________

DATE _________ TEST WT. ___________

COMMODITY _________________________

TSD Use Only: Date Received

Moisture Sample Transmittal Form

Field Office Use Only:

OFFICE _________ MOISTURE __________

DATE _________ TEST WT. ___________

COMMODITY _________________________

TSD Use Only: Date Received

Moisture Sample Transmittal Form

Field Office Use Only:

OFFICE _________ MOISTURE __________

DATE _________ TEST WT. ___________

COMMODITY _________________________

TSD Use Only: Date Received

Moisture Sample Transmittal Form

Field Office Use Only:

OFFICE _________ MOISTURE __________

DATE _________ TEST WT. ___________

COMMODITY _________________________

TSD Use Only: Date Received

Moisture Sample Transmittal Form

Field Office Use Only:

OFFICE _________ MOISTURE __________

DATE _________ TEST WT. ___________

COMMODITY _________________________

TSD Use Only: Date Received
FGIS Notice PN-23-05 June 6, 2023 

Page 6 

Table 1. Sample collection assignments, 2023 Crop Year

Moisture Range (%)

1. Barley, Six-Rowed Office 7-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-21 All

DIOO 14 14 14 14 4 60

Moisture Range (%)

2. Barley, Two-Rowed Office 7-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-21 All

Washington 2 3 3 2 2 12

DIOO 8 12 12 12 4 48

Moisture Range (%)

3. Corn Office 6-12 12-14 14-16 16-18 18-22 22-26 26-32 All

Toledo 2 5 6 5 5 4 3 30

DIOO 11 26 29 28 27 26 13 160

Moisture Range (%)

4. Oats Office 8-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 All

DIOO 5 5 3 2 15

Special 

Request 8 8 6 3 25

Moisture Range (%)

5. Rough Rice, Office 8-12 12-14 14-16 16-20 20-26 All

 Long Grain

Crowley 5 8 9 9 4 35

Stuttgart 7 10 10 10 8 45

Moisture Range (%)

6. Rough Rice, Office 8-12 12-14 14-16 16-21 21-28 All

 Medium Grain

California 6 8 8 7 6 35

Stuttgart 6 8 8 8 5 35

DIOO 1 3 3 2 1 10

Moisture Range (%)

7. Sorghum Office 8-12 12-14 14-16 16-18 18-24 All

DIOO 8 14 16 15 7 60

Moisture Range (%)

8. Soybeans Office 5-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-18 18-24 All

Toledo 5 6 7 6 4 2 30

DIOO 16 18 18 18 12 8 90

Moisture Range (%)

9. Sunflower Seed, Office 4-8 8-10 10-12 12-16 16-20 20-28 All

 Oil Type DIOO 6 15 18 18 8 5 70

10. Wheat, Durum Office 4-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-21 21-30 All

California 1 3 3 1 1 1 10

DIOO 8 14 13 10 4 1 50
FGIS Notice PN-23-05 June 6, 2023 

Page 7 

Table 1. Sample collection assignments, 2023 Crop Year

Moisture Range (%)

11. Wheat, Hard Red Office 6-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-21 All

Spring Washington 2 3 2 2 1 10

DIOO 6 15 17 15 7 60

Moisture Range (%)

12. Wheat, Hard Red Office 6-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-22 All

 Winter

Washington 2 2 2 2 2 10

DIOO 4 16 17 16 7 60

Moisture Range (%) 13. Wheat, Hard 

 White Office 6-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 All

California 1 2 1 1 5

Washington 3 5 5 2 15

DIOO 6 12 13 4 35

Moisture Range (%)

14. Wheat, Soft Red Office 7-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-24 All

 

Toledo 4 4 4 4 4 20

DIOO 8 11 12 11 8 50

Moisture Range (%)

15. Wheat, Soft White Office 7-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-24 All

Washington 5 8 9 8 5 35

DIOO 4 7 8 7 4 30

Moisture Range (%)

16. Triticale Office 7-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-24 All

Special 

Request 2 6 7 3 2 20

Moisture Range (%)

17. Rye Office 7-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-20 All

Special 

Request 7 5 5 2 1 20

Moisture Range (%)

18. Beans, White Red Office 6-10 10-12 12-14 14-17 17-20 All

Washington 2 4 3 1 0 10

DIOO 2 3 3 1 1 10

Moisture Range (%)

19. Peas, Navy Bean Office 6-10 10-12 12-14 14-17 17-20 All

Special 

Request 7 6 5 1 1 20
FGIS Notice PN-23-05 June 6, 2023 

Page 8 

Table 1. Sample collection assignments, 2023 Crop Year

Moisture Range (%)

20. Buckwheat Office 7-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-20 All

Special 

Request 2 6 7 3 2 20

Moisture Range (%) 21. Buckwheat, 

Groats Office 7-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-20 All

Special 

Request 2 6 7 3 2 20

Moisture Range (%) 22. Rice, Long Grain 

 Milled Office 8-12 12-14 14-16 16-20 20-26 All

Stuttgart 8 8 7 5 2 30

Moisture Range (%)

23. Rice, Medium Office 8-12 12-14 14-16 16-20 20-26 All

 Grain Milled

Stuttgart 4 4 3 2 2 15

California 4 4 5 1 1 15

Moisture Range (%)

24. Rice, Short Grain Office 8-12 12-14 14-16 16-20 20-26 All

 Milled 

 California 7 8 8 5 2 30

Moisture Range (%)

25. Safflower Office 4-7 7-10 10-12 12-16 16-20 All

 Special 

Request 7 6 3 2 2 20

Moisture Range (%)

26. Rice, Medium Office 8-12 12-14 14-16 16-20 20-26 All

 Grain Milled

 (Coated) Special 

Request 6 6 4 2 2 20

Moisture Range (%)

27. Rice, Brewers Office 8-12 12-14 14-16 16-20 20-26 All

 Milled

Stuttgart 6 6 5 2 1 20

Moisture Range (%)

28. Rice, Screening Office 8-12 12-14 14-16 16-20 20-26 All

 Milled

 Stuttgart 6 6 5 2 1 20

Moisture Range (%)

29. Popcorn Office 6-12 12-14 14-16 16-18 18-22 All

DIOO 1 1 1 1 1 5

Special 

Request 3 4 4 3 1 15
FGIS Notice PN-23-05 June 6, 2023 

Page 9 

Table 1. Sample collection assignments, 2023 Crop Year

Moisture Range (%)

30. Mustard Seed, Office 4-7 7-10 10-12 12-16 All

 Brown

Special 

Request

9 7 3 1 20

Moisture Range (%)

31. Mustard Seed, Office 4-7 7-10 10-12 12-16 All

 Oriental

Special 

Request 9 7 3 1 20

Moisture Range (%)

32. Mustard Seed, Office 4-7 7-10 10-12 12-16 All

Yellow Special 

Request 9 7 3 1 20

 Moisture Range (%)

33. Sunflower Seed, Office 4-8 8-10 10-12 12-16 16-20 20-28 All

 Confectionary

DIOO 8 8 8 8 6 2 40

34. Rice, Second Head Office 8-12 12-14 14-16 16-20 20-26 All

Milled (Long/Medium/

Short) Stuttgart 6 6 5 2 1 20