A pass-on slip is a document given to the captain or mate of a vessel by the Canadian Grain Commission inspector when grain is loaded into the vessel from a terminal elevator.

The information on the slip includes the vessel name, exact storage of all grades of grain loaded, a diagram of the stowage plan, the date, and the loading terminal. This slip is collected by the inspector in charge of the next loading elevator.

Pink pigment in wheat kernels is an indication of immaturity.

A primary elevator is a licensed elevator used to accept deliveries of grain directly from producers for storage or forwarding.

A sample representing a lot of grain other than those discharged from a terminal elevator, transfer elevator or process elevator.

A process elevator is an elevator which is used principally to receive and store grain for processing directly into other products.

A processed sample is a sample of grain that meets the commercially clean definition.

See unprocessed sample.

A producer car is a railcar that is loaded and shipped by a producer to a terminal elevator. Producers apply to the Canadian Grain Commission to have a railcar allocated to them.

Pulses are crops grown for their edible seeds, such as peas, lentils, chick peas or beans.

A reference variety of a grain is a variety currently listed as registered in Canada by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

A registered variety is a variety of grain registered under the authority of the Canada Seeds Act and listed on the Variety Order List.

Canada Grain Regulations. The Regulations can be viewed through the Canadian Grain Commission web site.

Rejected grades are defined in the Off-Grades of Grain and Grades of Screenings Order. The term is not used in grading eastern grain. Numerical grades of western grain may be graded rejected only because of stones. If the stones are removed, the Rejected designation is dropped.

The terms “Minimum”, “Optimum” and “Export” refer to the minimum sample portion to be analyzed when a factor is present in varying concentrations.

Minimum–The minimum portions allow inspectors to exercise judgment regarding sample sizes to be analyzed. This would be appropriate when reporting concentrations of factors that would not determine grade. However, minimum sample portions may also be used when the factor present has determined the grade, if the concentration is well within tolerance levels for that grade.  Minimum portions may be used when the grade would not be altered by analysis of a larger sample.

Optimum–The optimum sample portion should be analyzed for those factors that would determine the grade when concentrations appear to be within the range of statutory grade specifications, if it appears that the concentration could result in downgrading of the grain.  If the concentration of a factor is only marginally in excess or less than a tolerance, the inspector should exercise judgment and pick a larger sample portion.

Export–The export portions are the minimum sample portions to be picked for specific factors when analyzing export samples. These standards do not prevent the inspector from analyzing larger portions when appropriate.

Grades are based on samples. To ensure samples adequately reflect the entire lot of grain, proper sampling procedures must be used. Official samples are taken using continuous sampling devices. The Canadian Grain Commission publishes a factsheet on sampling procedures, called Taking a Representative Sample.

See storage of samples.

Rotted kernels are decomposed or decayed because of bacteria or fungi. Rot is usually indicated by blackening, discolouration and softening of all or part of the kernel.

Roughage is a type of foreign material found in grains. It includes chaff, loose hulls, empty seed pods, knuckles, etc., that are readily removable by aspiration, handpicking, or other cleaning procedures.

A running sample is a sample obtained while grain is being conveyed on a belt or as it flows from a spout.

A saltie is a vessel designed for ocean navigation.

A sample is a portion of grain taken to represent an entire truckload, carload or cargo.

The size of a sample to be analysed for the presence of specific grading factors is established for each class of grain in its section. The term approximate is often used, allowing inspectors to take into consideration the concentration of the grading factor in the sample.

Types of samples include

• average sample
• processed sample
• cargo sample
• running sample
• composite sample
• standard sample
• consecutive sample
• submitted sample
• official carlot unload sample
• unprocessed sample
• official sample

See Eastern and Western Grain, Mixed.

Sample grades are defined in the Off-Grades of Grain and Grades of Screenings Order. Grain that is not eligible for Class I or II grades under the Canada Grain Act is graded Sample. With the exception of sample salvage, reference is made in all sample grades to Canada (CAN), Canada Western (CW) or Canada Eastern (CE); for example, Barley, Sample CW Account Heated.

Only the major grading factor forms part of the grade name. Secondary reasons for a sample grade are noted in remarks; for example, a sample of rye having a strong chemical odour and containing 9.0% by weight of heated kernels might have the following comments:
The grade is Rye, Sample CW/CE, Account Odour.
The inspector’s remarks on form I-12 are strong chemical odour, 9.0% heated.

The remarks section of the inspection record for samples graded Sample CW/CE/Canada may include the following:
For wheat, the class or classes of wheat eligible for sample grades
The nature and concentration of admixture in samples graded Sample CW/CE/Canada, Account Admixture
The kind of odour in samples graded Sample CW/CE/Canada, Account Odour

When sample grades are assigned, the reason shown for the grade is selected according to the Order of Precedence.

A sample interval is the time between the repeated sample-capturing action of a sample method or device.

Sample retention times are outlined in specific Inspection procedures located online at K:\Isqms\03 – Procedure Manual\Procedures (English – French).

Any grain salvaged from a wreck in transit containing over 2.5% by weight of stones or any other conspicuous ground material, removable or not, is graded [class of grain], Sample Salvage. For example, Wheat, Sample Salvage.

Admixtures of inseparable seeds or other grains are disregarded if they do not exceed the tolerances permitted in the lowest grade of that grain.
The composition of official samples is entered on inspection records and endorsed on the back of certificates.
The composition of unofficial samples is shown on the face of form I-7 certificates and the I-12 form.

The size of a sample to be analysed for the presence of specific grading factors is established for each class of grain in its section of this guide.

The wheat stem sawfly has caused serious harvest losses to spring wheat in the prairie region. It attacks the base of stems causing tillers of mature plants to break off. Early swathing can reduce spring wheat harvest losses, but the most effective means of managing this insect pest has been the production of resistant cultivars.

See insect damage.

Scab damage refers to kernels of wheat that have been severely affected by fusarium. Scab damage is included in and assessed as fusarium damage for grade assessment. The percentage concentration of scab damage may be recorded for specific markets upon request.
Scab kernels must be completely dull, lifeless, with a chalky appearance, and
Must have no semblance of soundness and no visible natural wheat colour, and
Scab kernels must have a white or pinkish fibrous growth
Note: If there is any natural wheat colour, the kernel is not to be considered as scab damage

Scalping refers to the removal of roughage material in a sieving process.

Sclerotia are hard, compact masses of fungal mycelium that serve as resting or survival structures.

One type of sclerotia is the mass of fungal tissue produced by the soil-borne fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which attacks crops such as sunflower and canola. Infections result in yield loss. While it does not attack cereal crops, sclerotia may be found as contaminants in samples of cereal grains from infected fields.

Screenings is dockage material that has been removed by cleaning from a parcel of grain. Screenings qualify for Class IV grades. See Off-Grades of Grain and Grades of Screenings Order.

Kernels are considered to be severely damaged when

• the kernel is severely shriveled or distorted due to weather, insect, fungal and/or other reason
• in wheat, the cheeks and/or back of the kernel are ruptured

The shipment order slip is given by the terminal elevator operator to the inspector in charge. It indicates the quantity and grade of grain ordered for shipment.

A shrinkage allowance is deducted from the gross weight of grain delivered, to adjust for the normal loss of weight, sometimes called invisible losses, during handling of grain.

Shrunken kernels in wheat are whole kernels that pass through a No. 4.5 slotted sieve.

See Thin and shrunken.

Sieves used in dockage assessment and grading procedures are listed in the Canada Grain Regulations. The accuracy of sieves used by the Canadian Grain Commission is regularly monitored. See Chapter 3 of this guide, Specifications for sieves.

Small oilseeds include flaxseed, canola and domestic mustard seed.

Small seeds are considered foreign material in some classes of grain. It includes all seeds removable through a No. 4.5 round-hole sieve.

Smudge refers to dark discolourations caused by fungal or bacterial infection. The discolouration may be brown, black, or reddish. It occurs mainly in wheat and barley.

According to the Regulations, smudge is more severe than blackpoint.

Penetrated smudge

Penetrated smudge is characterized by discolouration penetrating and extending throughout the endosperm, usually as a result of a serious infection of a fungus such as the various species of Alternaria.

Superficial discolouration

Superficial discolouration is a reddish discolouration not penetrating the endosperm. This factor will be evaluated subjectively in relation to the degree of soundness without reference to specific tolerances.

Red smudge

Red smudge is a dark reddish discolouration usually associated with durum wheat. It usually affects the entire bran portion of the kernel. Discolouration is not superficial and cannot be removed through abrasion. Red smudge is caused by infections of the fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, which also causes the leaf disease tan spot.

See bunt.

Soundness refers to overall visual grain quality. Sound grain is reasonably well matured and reasonably free from kernels damaged by frost, mildew, bleaching, or weather.

In a primary elevator, special bin grain is held in a separate bin at the request of the owner. It is sometimes referred to as identity-preserved.

In a terminal elevator, special bin grain is held by authority of the Canadian Grain Commission in bins registered by bin numbers in the owner’s name.

Special cleaning refers to any cleaning of grain in addition to the usual dockage assessment procedures. Special cleaning is used to improve the grade of the grain.

Special crops are considered to be beans, buckwheat, chick peas, corn, fababeans, lentils, mustard, peas, safflower, soybeans, sunflower, and triticale.

The spiral cleaner removes flat seeds from yellow mustard seed.

Kernels are classed as sprouted when any of the following conditions exist:

• Growth is evident in the germ area.
• Bran is noticeably split over the germ.
• The germ is removed and there is discolouration normally attributable to sprouting.
• The germ, though intact, is distinctly swollen because of growth.

Severely sprouted

• Kernels are considered severely sprouted when
• Sprouts extend beyond the normal contours of the germ
• Kernels are severely degenerated as an apparent result of advanced sprouting

Staining can be artificial or natural.

Artificial stain

• Includes any stain on kernels caused by contact with foreign substances such as dye or adhered foreign material such as oil, grease, paint or soot
• Does not include any stain caused by poisonous substances

Natural stain

Natural stain is any stain on kernels caused by contact with natural substances such as smut spores, soil, or weeds.

Consideration is given to the incidence of affected kernels and the nature and severity of the stain.

The nature of the adhered material is indicated on inspection records.

When the nature of the material is in doubt, the sample is sent to the Chief Grain Inspector for review, and, if necessary, for laboratory analysis.

See weed stain.

The Eastern and Western Standards Committees meet annually and recommend to the Canadian Grain Commission primary and export standard samples of grain for use in grading during that crop year.

Primary standard samples

Primary standard samples are prepared for most grades of grain and represent as nearly as possible the minimum quality of each grade, considering the predominant grading factors in the current crop. They are used as visual guides to grading grain before and on delivery at terminal elevators, and on shipments from terminal elevators when no export standard sample is established for a grade.

Export standard samples

Export standard samples are created only for Canada Western grains. They are prepared for most grades of wheat and general purpose grades of barley and govern grading of shipments out of terminal, transfer, and process elevators. They are intended to ensure that the buyer receives grain that is reasonably close in quality to the average of the grade.

Minimum test weights, maximum limits of admixtures and grading factors in general are demonstrated in the export standard samples. However, overall quality is always considered. An export shipment may be assigned a certain grade although the shipment is slightly below the requirements in one factor, provided that in the judgment of the inspector it is sufficiently superior in other factors to be equal in overall quality to the export standard sample. Final decisions on the grade of such shipments are made only by senior officials of Canadian Grain Commission’s Inspection Services.

Stones are hard shale, coal, hard earth pellets, and any other non toxic materials of similar consistency. Fertilizer pellets are assessed as stones, except in Domestic mustard Seed, when constituting 1.0% or less of the net sample weight. (See Fertilizer pellets for specific procedures to be followed when samples contain fertilizer pellets.)

Stones are considered foreign material in grain samples.

Stones removed are classified as dockage if they are readily removable by ordinary cleaning methods or by special cleaning procedures.

Stowage refers to the location or hold where grain has been loaded to a vessel.

Straight grades of grain are those within accepted limits of moisture. With increasing moisture content, grain is graded tough, damp, moist, or wet.

A submitted sample is an unofficial sample sent in by a grain company or producer for grading or for other tests. The Canadian Grain Commission charges a fee for any analysis on a submitted sample.