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Representative Samples Key For Success

As farmers finish up the 2020 harvest and look at getting their product to market, one thing they will be doing is collecting representative samples. A properly obtained representative sample is one of the keys to success for producers.  
 
“The important thing for producers to have a good sample of their grain is basically, payment is made on the sample that’s taken of their grain,” explained Craig Smith, an inspection specialist with the Canadian Grain Commission. Since the grade, dockage and general quality of the grain can vary within the field, the bin and the truck, so a good sample is crucial, Smith added. 
 
There are a number of ways to obtain a good representative sample. One of the methods recommended by the CGC is a manual stream sample. This is collected when the grain is transferred from the truck to the bin or the bin to the truck. A farmer would use a sample collector, and collect it at set intervals across the whole grain stream to make sure all the grain from various parts of the truck can be sampled. 
 
Smith explained there are some things producers can do to ensure they have a proper sample. 
 
“Some of the key things that they can manage is, just to ensure all parts of the grain have an equal chance at being sampled; making sure that when the sample is taken, it’s taken by appropriate equipment and that proper sampling procedures are done each time; and then also, when they have the sample at the end, that it’s not mishandled, so making sure that if they want to divide it down to smaller portions that they can divide it down and not lose the integrity of that sample,” Smith stated. 
 
Smith has also written the book on the recommended methods and best practices for collecting a representative sample.  
 
“The document is actually called The Guide to Taking A Representative Sample – I published that with the Canadian Grain Commission two years ago,” Smith related. The document is available on the Canadian Grain Commission’s website. 
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