Glucosinolates are natural components of canola, rapeseed, and mustard seed. These compounds are responsible for the pungent odour and sharp flavour of cabbage, brussels sprouts, radishes, broccoli and cauliflower. They are natural toxicants, associated with goitre and liver damage when consumed in large quantities.

Glucosinolates may be desirable in mustard seed destined for condiment use. However, high levels in rapeseed restricted the use of this seed for feed. Breeding programs to reduce the level of glucosinolates in rapeseed produced canola.

A grade certificate attests to the quality of a commodity graded by official inspectors, testers and graders. It is another name for inspection certificate.

A grade code is a four-digit code used throughout the grain industry to identify each grade of each class of grain. See also grain code.

Grades of grain are defined by specifications in

• The Canada Grain Regulations
• The Official Grain Grading Guide
• Orders of the Canadian Grain Commission

A grading factor is a physical condition of grain, the result of growing conditions, handling procedures or storage practices. It is a visual characteristic that indicates a reduction in quality; for example, frost damage, sprouted kernels, or heated kernels. Only relevant grading factors are shown as reasons for a grade.

• If a sample of wheat grades No. 3 for one particular reason, there is no need to list other factors that might be acceptable in a higher grade.
• If the sample is No. 3 for a combination of reasons, the combination must be shown in order of importance.

A grain is any seed named in the Canada Grain Act or designated by the Canada Grain Regulations as a grain.

A grain code is a two-digit code used throughout the industry for each class of grain. See also grade code.

Grass-green kernels are kernels of wheat that are distinctly green because of immaturity.

See insect damage.

Groats are hulled grains, and refer to the caryopsis of domestic or wild oats; that is, it is the kernel with the hull removed.

Vitreousness is the natural translucence of a kernel that is a visible sign of kernel hardness. Hard vitreous kernels (HVK) are a grade determinant for the amber durum wheat class in Canada and the red spring wheat class in western Canada.

HVK content is related to protein content and milling quality, which are particularly important in durum wheat. Non-vitreous kernels are produced under cool maturation conditions, abundant soil moisture and insufficient nitrogen. Flours milled from non-viteous wheat have reduced protein content and produce poor loaf volumes. Non-vitreous kernels are not as significant in soft wheats, since low protein is desirable for most soft wheat end-products.

A hazardous substance is defined in the Regulations as "any pesticide, herbicide, desiccant or inoculant".

Heated kernels have the light tan to dark brown colour or an odour typical of grain that has heated in storage. The term includes kernels discoloured from artificial drying, but not binburnt or fireburnt kernels.

Hulled kernels have the hulls removed, e.g., oat groats, peeled barley and hulled sunflower seeds.

Hulless kernels have naturally loose hulls or no hulls, e.g., wheat, hulless oats and barley.

In a primary elevator, identity-preserved or special bin grain is held in a separate bin at the request of the owner.

Immature kernels are kernels that have not fully ripened. The physical effect is dependant on the timing, cause and extent of the exposure to environmental conditions during the growth cycle. The kernel growth has been affected or arrested during the maturation process often resulting in variation in colour, size and shape.

An indirect shipment from a terminal elevator is one that will be reloaded at a transfer elevator for delivery to the buyer.

Industry Services Automation (ISA) is a networked computerized system that is incorporated into the visual grading system used by the Canadian Grain Commission’s Inspection Services for the analysis of dockage and grading factors, test weight, and moisture content. The workstation consists of a computer terminal, keyboard, and Mettler electronic scale. The output from the ISA represents the original and official Inspection Report.

For CWRS, CWHWS and CWAD, there are specific limits for kernels damaged by grasshopper and armyworm, midge and sawfly.

Grasshopper and armyworm damage

Grasshoppers and armyworms chew out sections of kernels, particularly the ends and sides. At an early stage, armyworms may chew tunnels through the kernels. This destroys the endosperm, and leaves the exposed chewed areas susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections. Heavy discolourations and moulds may result.

Orange wheat blossom midge

The orange wheat blossom midge causes a distinct form of damage. Grade tolerances for midge have existed for many years based primarily on the shrivelling and distortion of midge-damaged kernels. The tiny midge larvae feed directly on the developing kernels in the heads of wheat. The extent of damage largely depends on the number of larvae feeding on each kernel.

Only recently have the full effects of midge damage on Canadian red spring bread wheat quality been studied, revealing the seriousness of midge damage to quality. The shrunken distorted grains reduce flour yields and produce dark flours with increased flour ash. Severely midge-damaged wheat exhibits weak, sticky dough properties, low baking absorption and poor bread quality. Protein content is abnormally high, but gluten protein quality is distinctly inferior.

The Canada Grain Regulations establish procedures for handling infested grain at primary elevators. Grain found infested at terminal or transfer elevators is handled and treated under the direction of an officer of the Canadian Grain Commission.

According to the Canada Grain Act, infested grain is grain that contains any injurious, noxious or troublesome insect or animal pest.

Insect parts refers to pieces of insects such as grasshoppers and lady bugs that remain in the sample after cleaning or processing. Samples are analyzed for the percentage of insect fragments and graded according to established tolerances.

If pulse crops come into contact with insects during the harvesting process, it may result in seed staining and earth adhering to the seed and may result in samples having an objectionable odour. Samples containing staining of this nature will be considered to be earth tagged and graded according to colour definitions. Samples having a distinct objectionable odour not associated with the quality of the grain will be graded Type of Grain Sample Account Odour.

A Canadian Grain Commission grain inspector issues an inspection certificate following an official inspection of a sample of grain. The certificate must state

• Where the grain was grown in Canada
• The grade according to the Canada Grain Act
• Dockage
• Other relevant information

Invisible losses are normal losses of weight of grain during normal handling. Shrinkage allowances are provided to prevent gross weight losses from affecting the net weight of an elevator’s grain stocks.

Invisible weight losses are primarily from

• Dust losses during handling
• Moisture losses during storage
• Unexplained weight losses in oilseeds during storage

Iodine value is a measure of the total amount of unsaturated fatty acids in an oil. In flaxseed, iodine values of 189 or greater are required for the manufacture of paints and inks. Lower values, around 182, are needed for the manufacture of linoleum.

The letter K in grade tables refers to the number of kernels or kernel-sized pieces of a particular grading factor in a 500-gram sample.