Test Analysis Methods
The 2016/2017 Corn Harvest Quality Report samples (each about 2200 grams) were sent directly from the local grain elevators to the Illinois Crop Improvement Association’s Identity Preserved Grain Laboratory (IPG Lab) in Champaign, Illinois. Upon arrival, the samples were dried, if needed, to a suitable moisture content to prevent any subsequent deterioration during the testing period. Next, the samples were split into two 1100-gram subsamples using a Boerner divider, while keeping the attributes of the grain sample evenly distributed between the two subsamples. One subsample was delivered to the Champaign-Danville Grain Inspection (CDGI) for grading. CDGI is the official grain inspection service provider for east-central Illinois as designated by USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS). The grade testing procedures were in accordance with FGIS’s Grain Inspection Handbook and are described in the following section. The other subsample was analyzed at IPG Lab for the chemical composition and other physical factors, following either industry norms or well-established procedures in practice for many years. IPG Lab has received accreditation under the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 International Standard for many of the tests. The full scope of accreditation is available at http://www.ilcrop.com/perry-johnson-laboratory-accreditation.