GEAPS-KSU Distance Education Program
GEAPS 522
FGIS Grain Inspection Orientation
Nov. 8 - Dec. 10, 2010
This special, 12-lecture course was developed by USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service in conjunction with GEAPS and Kansas State University. It’s intended for anyone in the industry who needs to learn more about the U.S. grain inspection and marketing system.
John Sharpe, director, Technical Services Division, Federal Grain Inspection Service, Kansas City
Lecture 1 – Grain Production and Marketing
An overview of the commercial production and uses of the standardized grains; an overview of factors that affect grain quality during production, harvest, and storage; and an overview of how grain moves through the market channels from producer to end user.
Lecture 2 – Grain Marketing Legislation
Reviews the legislation enacted to standardize the trading of grain in the U.S. It covers the problems they were originally intended to address and how they impact grain marketing today.
Lecture 3 – The U.S. Grain Standards Act (in plain English)
A section-by-section review of the grain Standards Act with plain English explanations of the intent/purpose and meaning of each section.
Lecture 4 – Industry Trading Rules
An overview industry trading rules and how they interact with official inspection. Segments discuss how the industry rules are used in domestic and export grain transactions, and how disputes are settled.
Lecture 5 – Overview of Grain Inspection
An overview of the determination of grain quantity and quality from the house grader to the official system. To aid individuals in knowing who to contact with questions on the official system, it provides an overview of FGIS organizational responsibilities. It also covers the roles of governmental organizations in grain marketing, and provides an overview of resources available to industry graders.
Lecture 6 – The Regulations under the U.S. Grain Standards Act
Covers the regulations, what they are, and how they are modified in plain English. It contains a section-by- section review of the General Regulations.
Lecture 7 – Grain Quality Factors
Reviews factors used to indicate grain quality. Primarily it covers the factors that are generally recognized to lower quality but also covers other factors that describe quality such as protein and oil, and lastly, genetically modified organisms which have had a controversial impact on perceived quality.
Lecture 8 – Sampling
Covers the importance of grain sampling, the methods and techniques used, and the statistical basis for grain sampling procedures.
Lecture 9 – Grain Inspection Lab Tour
Video tour of a grain inspection lab focusing first on the equipment used in inspection, and then looking at the reference methods and calibration processes behind the technology.
Lecture 10 – Official Inspection Services
Covers the inspection process starting with the Kinds and Levels of inspection. Special emphasis is given to the review inspection process. The lecture also provides a look at a typical sample-lot inspection: the tests that are included and the optional tests that must be requested. Finally it provides a brief overview of other inspection-related services available from GIPSA.
Lecture 11 – Inspection Variability
Discusses the variability associated with grain inspection. It starts with an overview of the sources of variability. It continues with quality control processes used to measure/reduce variability.
Lecture 12 – Weighing Program
Provides an overview of the Official weighing program. It covers mandatory weighing for export grain and intercompany inbound barges using Class X procedures and permissive weighing for domestic grain shipments using Class X or Class Y procedures. It also reviews the various types of scales used for official weighing and how they are tested.