Moisture testing: Moisture specifications
Grain that contains excessive moisture shall be graded according to the specifications for the grade that would be assigned to that grain if it did not contain excessive moisture, except that there shall be added to and made part of the grade name the word “Tough”, “Damp”, “Moist” or “Wet” according to the percentage of moisture set out in the Off Grades of Grain and Grades of Screenings Order.
The chart on the next three pages outlines the moisture specifications and, if the model 919/3.5’ moisture meter is used, the conversion table number and representative portion required to determine the moisture content of each type of grain is provided.
Conversion tables are not available for all grains. The following information can be found on the Canadian Grain Commission website.
- Conversion tables for applicable grains. See Conversion tables for use with Model 919/3.5" or equivalent moisture meters
- For wheat, oats and barley samples with low test weight, normal procedures for determining moisture content will give inaccurate results. See Estimating moisture content for lightweight wheat, oats and barley samples.
- For samples with moisture values above the range of the conversion table using the 919/3.5’ moisture meter, see High moisture samples.
- For beans for which there are no conversion charts, see Beans with no conversion tables.
| Grain | Moisture Meter Model (919/3.5”) | Moisture specifications | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (g) | Date and Conversion table Number | Straight (%) | Tough (%) | Damp (%) | Moist (%) | Wet (%) | |
| Barley | |||||||
| Food (covered) (>52 kg/hl) | 225 | 2022-07, 14 | less than 13.6 | 13.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| Food (hulless) | 225 | 1994-08, 1 | less than 14.1 | 14.1-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| General purpose (covered) (>52 kg/hl) | 225 | 2022-07, 14 | less than 14.9 | 14.9-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| Lightweight (covered) (< 52kg/hl) | 200 | 1979-rev., 10 | less than 14.9 | 14.9-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| General purpose (hulless) | 225 | 1994-08, 1 | less than 14.9 | 14.9-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| Malting (covered) (>52 kg/hl) | 225 | 2022-07, 14 | less than 13.6 | 13.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| Malting (hulless) | 225 | 1994-08, 1 | less than 13.6 | 13.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| Beans | |||||||
| Azuki | 250 | 2010-07, 1 | less than 18.1 | No tough | over 18.0 | ||
| Black | 250 | 2018-07, 3 | less than 18.1 | No tough | over 18.0 | ||
| Cranberry | 250 | 2006-07, 2 | less than 18.1 | No tough | over 18.0 | ||
| Dark red kidney | 250 | 2006-07, 2 | less than 18.1 | No tough | over 18.0 | ||
| Great northern white | 250 | 2016-07, 1 | less than 18.1 | No tough | over 18.0 | ||
| Light red kidney | 250 | 2011-07, 1 | less than 18.1 | No tough | over 18.0 | ||
| Otebo | 250 | 2014-07, 1 | less than 18.1 | No tough | over 18.0 | ||
| Pea Bean | 250 | 2019-07, 3 | less than 18.1 | No tough | over 18.0 | ||
| Pinto | 250 | 2007-07, 2 | less than 18.1 | No tough | over 18.0 | ||
| Small red | 250 | 2014-07, 1 | less than 18.1 | No tough | over 18.0 | ||
| White kidney | 250 | 2011-07, 1 | less than 18.1 | No tough | over 18.0 | ||
| Grain | Moisture Meter Model (919/3.5”) | Moisture specifications | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (g) | Date and Conversion table Number | Straight (%) | Tough (%) | Damp (%) | Moist (%) | Wet (%) | |
| Buckwheat | 225 | 1978-04, 3 | less than 16.1 | 16.1-18.0 | over 18.0 | ||
| Canary seed | 250 | 2021-07, 1 | less than 13.1 | 13.1-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| Canola and rapeseed | 250 | 2014-07, 6 | less than 10.1 | 10.1-12.5 | over 12.5 | ||
| Chickpeas | 250 | 2020-07, 2 | less than 14.1 | 14.1-16 | over 16.0 | ||
| Corn | |||||||
| Under 19.9% moisture | 250 | 2000-07, 6 | less than 15.6 | 15.6-17.5 | 17.6-21.0 | 21.1-25.0 | Over 25.0 |
| 20.0% moisture and over (adjusted moisture value using table 11A result and according to test weight. Refer to page 2-7 for details) | 175 | 2000-07, 11A + 2000-07, 11B | less than 15.6 | 15.6-17.5 | 17.6-21.0 | 21.1-25.0 | Over 25.0 |
| Faba beans | 250 | 1977-02, 2 | less than 16.1 | 16.1-18.0 | over 18.0 | ||
| Flaxseed | 225 | 2013-07, 7 | less than 10.1 | 10.1-13.5 | over 13.5 | ||
| Lentils | |||||||
| Lentils , other than red | 250 | 2026-07, 4 | less than 14.1 | 14.1-16.0 | over 16.0 | ||
| Lentils, red | 250 | 2018-07, 4 | less than 13.1 | 13.1-16.0 | over 16.0 | ||
| Mixed grain | Use the conversion table and tough and damp ranges for the predominant grain. | ||||||
| Mustard seed (domestic) | |||||||
| Brown mustard | 250 | 2007-07, 11 | less than 9.6 | 9.6-12.5 | over 12.5 | ||
| Oriental mustard | 250 | 2007-07, 10 | less than 9.6 | 9.6-12.5 | over 12.5 | ||
| Yellow mustard | 250 | 2007-07, 9 | less than 9.6 | 9.6-12.5 | over 12.5 | ||
| Oats | |||||||
| Hulled oats | 200 | 2001-08, 6 | less than 13.6 | 13.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| Hulless oats | 200 | 2009-07, 1 | less than 13.6 | 13.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| Lightweight oats (<48 kg/hl – calibrate at 73) | 140 | 2003-08, 1 | less than 13.6 | 13.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| Grain | Moisture Meter Model (919/3.5”) | Moisture specifications | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (g) | Date and Conversion table Number | Straight (%) | Tough (%) | Damp (%) | Moist (%) | Wet (%) | |
| Peas, green and yellow | 250 | 2025-07, 4 | less than 16.1 | 16.1-18.0 | over 18.0 | ||
| Rye | 250 | 2022-07, 6 | less than 14.1 | 14.1-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| Safflower seed (calibrate at 73) | 150 | 1992-08, 1 | less than 9.6 | 9.6-13.5 | 13.6-17.0 | 17.1-22.0 | over 22.0 |
| Soybeans | 225 | 2014-07. 9 | less than 14.1 | 14.1-16.0 | 16.1-18.0 | 18.1-20.0 | over 20.0 |
| Sunflower seed (calibrate at 73) | 150 | 1978-10, 3 | less than 9.6 | 9.6-13.5 | 13.6-17.0 | 17.1-22.0 | over 22.0 |
| Triticale | 250 | 1981-08, 1 | less than 14.1 | 14.1-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| Wheat | |||||||
| CWRS (>66kg/hl) | 250 | 2021-07, 12 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| lightweight (<66 kg/hl) | 225 | 1979-08, 9 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CWHWS | 250 | 2005-08, 1 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CWAD | 250 | 2020-07, 5 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CWRW | 250 | 2021-07, 6 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CWSWS | 250 | 2025-07, 6 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CWES | 250 | 2002-08, 2 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CPSW | 250 | 2021-07, 3 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CPSR | 250 | 2021-07, 3 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CNHR | 250 | 2023-07, 2 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CWSP | Use the conversion table and tough and damp ranges appropriate to the predominant colour and characteristics of the sample. | ||||||
| CERS | 250 | 2024-07, 2 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CEHRW | 250 | 2023-07, 2 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CESRW | 250 | 2024-07, 3 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CEAD | 250 | 2020-07, 5 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CEWW | 250 | 2019-07, 6 | less than 14.6 | 14.6-17.0 | over 17.0 | ||
| CEOW | Use the conversion table and tough and damp ranges appropriate to the predominant colour and characteristics of the sample. | ||||||
| CEFD | Use the conversion table and tough and damp ranges appropriate to the predominant colour and characteristics of the sample. | ||||||