Sunflower seeds – Chapter 14
Official Grain Grading Guide

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Grading

Important definitions

Ne 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 cleaned sample, 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 sample as “any pesticide, herbicide, dessicant or inoculant.”

Representative portion sizes 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 sunflower seed for grading, grams

Grading factor	Minimum	Optimum	Export
Damage	100	100	100
Dehulled	500	working sample	working sample
Ergot	500	working sample	working sample
Excreta	working sample	working sample	working sample
Fireburnt	500	working sample	working sample
Heated, rotted, mouldy	100	100	100
Head rot (hulls)	25	100	100
Head rot (seeds)	5	25	25
Insect damage	100	100	100
Odour	working sample	working sample	working sample
Other grains	250	250	250
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum	250	working sample	working sample
Soft earth pellets	250	working sample	working sample
Stones	250	500	working sample
Very immature seeds	100	100	100

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