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Domestic mustard seed: Determination of dockage

Chapter 12. Domestic mustard seed (PDF, 1 MB)

Definitions

Dockage is assessed and recorded to the nearest 0.1%.

Dockage is defined under the Canada Grain Act as “any material intermixed with a parcel of grain, other than kernels of grain of a standard of quality fixed by or under this Act for a grade of that grain, that must and can be separated from the parcel of grain before that grade can be assigned to the grain”. Dockage is removed by following the cleaning procedures described in this chapter.

The sample as it arrives is referred to as the uncleaned or dirty sample. Its weight is the gross weight of the sample. Dockage is assessed on the gross weight of the sample.

Dockage is assessed in two stages.

  1. Follow Normal cleaning procedures, using the Carter dockage tester.
  2. Follow procedures for Cleaning for grade improvement. This cleaning can be done at any time after the cleaning assessment has been completed.

Dockage not reported

Important: Dockage is not reported for

  • Domestic Mustard Seed, Sample Canada (class) Account Fireburnt
  • Domestic Mustard Seed, Sample Salvage
  • Domestic Mustard Seed, Sample Condemned
  • Unofficial samples declared as processed

Normal cleaning procedures

Important: Wear gloves and a mask to handle any samples that you suspect may contain hazardous substances.

  1. Set up the Carter dockage tester as follows:
    Carter dockage tester specifications
    Feed control # 3
    Air control # 7
    Riddle number 000
    Top sieve Blank tray
    Centre sieve none
    Bottom sieve none
    Sieve cleaner control off
  2. You also need the following hand sieves:
    List of required hand sieves
    Round-hole hand sieves Slotted hand sieves
    number 5.5 number .028
    number 6 number .032
    number 6.5 number .035
    number 7 number .038
    number 7.5 number .040
  3. Using a Boerner-type divider, divide the uncleaned sample to obtain a representative portion.
    • Official samples shall be at least 1 kg.
    • Unofficial samples shall be at least 1 kg.
  4. For hand sieving use approximately 250 g.

    Important:

    • Ensure you start with the right sized sieves.
    • When you use a hand sieve, move the sieve from left to right 30 times, using a sifting motion. One time is one complete motion from the centre to one side, to the other side, to the other side, and back to the centre. The total distance from left to right is 20 cm, or about 8 inches.
      1. Use whichever round-hole sieve will achieve maximum removal of large material with minimum loss of domestic mustard seed.
      2. Use whichever slotted sieve will achieve maximum removal of weed seeds with minimum loss of domestic mustard seed.
  5. Combine the separated, cleaned 250-g portions.
  6. Turn on the Carter dockage tester.
  7. Pour the sample into the hopper.
  8. After the sample has passed through the machine, turn off the machine.
    • Reduce the air setting to #5 if there is a large loss of whole, reasonably sound seed.
    • If the sample after normal cleaning with air control at #7 qualifies only for Sample grade, you must start all over again. Recombine the sample with whatever dockage material has been removed. Re-assess dockage with the appropriate sieves and the air control set at #5.
  9. Determine dockage, using the list under Composition of dockage.

Composition of dockage

Dockage includes

  • Material remaining on top of the round-hole hand sieve
  • Material passing through the slotted hand sieve
  • Material passing over the number 000 riddle
  • Material removed by aspiration
  • Material removed by Cleaning for grade improvement

Primary elevator samples, commercially clean

Commercially clean samples exiting primary elevators can have up to 0.5% for broken and reasonably sound mustard seed deducted from the gross weight of the dockage. Samples exiting primary elevators are considered commercially clean when the net dockage does not exceed 2.5% of the sample weight. There is no deduction applicable to producer deliveries or submitted samples.

Primary elevator samples, not commercially clean

In not commercially clean samples exiting primary elevators, there is no allowance for broken and reasonably sound mustard seed. All the material removed by the slotted sieve is assessed as dockage.

Cleaning for grade improvement

If the grade of a sample can be improved by additional cleaning, perform the cleaning and add the additional material to dockage. Cleaning for grade improvement can be done at any time after the cleaning assessment has been completed, including on export.

Carter dockage tester

  1. After the cleaning assessment has been completed, examine the material to be removed and select your equipment according to the material you want to remove. See the table Cleaning for grade improvement— domestic mustard seed.
  2. Pass the sample through the Carter dockage tester.
  3. Weigh the additional dockage and add it to the original dockage.

Spiral cleaner— for yellow mustard seed and only upon request

Operating procedures

  1. The sample to be cleaned by the spiral is the net sample remaining after normal cleaning procedures.
  2. Pour the sample into the feed hopper at the top of the spiral. Once the sample has passed through the spiral, lightly tap it to remove any lodged seeds remaining on the flights.
  3. Collect the seeds that have discharged from the bottom spout (spout closest to the core of the cleaner)
  4. Determine the percentage by weight of the seeds that have discharged and determine if more than 5.0% of yellow mustard has been removed per grade improvement.

Reporting procedures

  1. Where the grade is not improved or more than 5.0% of domestic mustard is removed for each grade improvement, the grade and dockage will not be revised.
  2. Where the grade can be improved while removing 5.0% or less of domestic mustard for each grade improvement, the certificate will state only the grade and dockage achieved through use of the spiral cleaner or Carter dockage tester.
Cleaning for grade improvement — Domestic mustard seed
Material to be removed Equipment Effect on composition of dockage
Excessive inseparable weed seeds or damaged mustard seeds for yellow, brown and oriental mustard seed
Note: The material originally removed by aspiration is to be reconstituted back into the sample prior to cleaning for improvement.		 Spiral cleaner—on request, for yellow mustard seed only Not more than 5.0% of domestic mustard seed may be removed for each grade improvement achieved.
Carter dockage tester set as follows:
Feed control #3
Air control #7
Riddle number 000
Top sieve number 4.5 or number 5 round-hole
Centre sieve blank tray
Bottom sieve none
Sieve cleaner control off
Canola or wild mustard in yellow mustard seed Carter dockage tester set as follows: The material passing through the sieve is included in the dockage. Not more than 5.0% of domestic mustard seed may be removed for each grade improvement achieved.
Feed control #3
Air control off
Riddle number 000
Top sieve none
Centre sieve number 4.5 or number 5 round-hole
Bottom sieve blank tray
Sieve cleaner control off

Optional analysis

Where a shipper requests special cleaning of a carlot of grain at a terminal elevator, and the elevator manager agrees, dockage material will be analyzed for the presence of grain. The percentage and grade of any grain contained in the dockage will be reported.

Procedures

  1. Analyze the official sample.
  2. Record the following on inspection records:
    • The percentage by gross weight to the nearest 0.1% and the grade of mustard.
    • The percentage by gross weight to the nearest 0.1% and the grade of grain separable from dockage.
    • The percentage of dockage.

    Example

    • 95.0% Domestic Mustard Seed, No. 1 Canada Yellow
    • 4.0% Rye, No. 2 Canada Western
    • 1.0% dockage

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