Domestic mustard seed: Grading

Important definitions

Net weight of sample

The sample after cleaning and removal of dockage is referred to as the cleaned sample. Its weight is the net weight of the sample. For grading, percentages by weight refer to percentages of the net weight.

Kernel counts (K)

A kernel count is the number of kernel-sized pieces in a 500 g sample.

Hazardous substances in samples

Wear gloves and a mask to handle any samples that you suspect may contain hazardous substances. Hazardous substances are defined in the Regulations as “any pesticide, herbicide, desiccant or inoculant.”

Crush

A crush is one pass of the roller under firm pressure over a seed stick on masking tape.

Non-registered varieties

Where grain of any kind is not a registered variety under the Seeds Act, no person shall, except with the permission of the Canadian Grain Commission, assign a statutory grade to that grain which is higher than the lowest grade established by regulation for that kind of grain.

Representative portion for grading

All grading is done on representative portions divided down from the clean sample, using a Boerner-type divider.

The terms “Minimum” and “Maximum” refer to the range of sample portion size to be analyzed when an objective factor is present. The optimum representative portion (see glossary) is determined by taking into consideration the tolerance and concentration of the objective factor being assessed.