Standards - Grain Moisture Program
The Grain Moisture Program is responsible for the inspection of grain moisture meters and enforcing adopted specifications throughout the state. Inspections are performed on site by field inspectors to test the accuracy of grain moisture meters reading of the moisture content of grains such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. Test weight devices approved to measure test weight are also inspected. Other equipment needed to make moisture determinations, such as scales, thermometers, and grain charts are also checked.
The laboratory spaces at the Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center in Raleigh support the inspection program by maintaining grain standards used during these inspections. The state’s three most prevalent grain commodities; corn, soybeans, and wheat are harvested to prepare the official standards that will be used the following year to test the moisture meters and test weight in the field. Grain standards consist of representative crop samples grown across the state. These samples are collected at varying moisture and test weight levels. Once the appropriate crop samples are collected, they are processed in the laboratory to be used during field inspections.