Canadian Grain Commission
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Buckwheat – Chapter 13
Official Grain Grading Guide



Grading

Important definitions

Net weight of sample

The sample after cleaning and removal of dockage is referred to as the cleaned sample. Its weight is the net weight of the sample. Percentages by weight for grading refer to percentages of the net weight.

Hazardous substances in samples

Wear gloves and a mask to handle any samples that you suspect may contain hazardous substances. Hazardous substances are defined in the Regulations as “any pesticide, herbicide, dessicant or inoculant.”

Representative portion for grading

All grading is done on representative portions divided down from the cleaned sample, using a Boerner-type divider.

Values in the following table represent a range of recommended portions of samples for grading. Refer to definition of “Representative portion” in the glossary for a complete description of the terms “Minimum”, “Optimum” and “Export”.

Representative portion of buckwheat for grading, grams
Grading factor Minimum Optimum Export
Cereal grains 50 100 250
Damage 25 50 50
Dehulled 10 50 50
Ergot 500 1000 1000
Excreta working sample working sample working sample
Fireburnt 500 working sample working sample
Immature 25 50 50
Matter other than cereal grains 50 250 250
Odour working sample working sample working sample
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum 500 1000 1000
Size 250 250 250
Soft earth pellets working sample working sample working sample
Stones 250 500 1000