Soybeans: Determination of dockage

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 section of the guide.

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 not reported

Normal cleaning procedures

Samples that are commercially clean do not go through the Carter dockage tester.

1. Using a Boerner-type divider, divide the uncleaned sample to obtain a representative portion.
   • Official samples shall be at least 1kg.
   • Unofficial samples shall be at least 1kg.
2. Sieve the samples over the numberNo. 8 round-hole hand sieve, using approximately 250 g at a time, to remove all readily removable material.
3. Set up the Carter dockage tester as follows:

   Set up the Carter dockage tester as follows:

   Feed control	# 10
   Air control	# 7
   Riddle	none
   Top sieve	blank tray
   Centre sieve	none
   Bottom sieve	none
   Sieve cleaner control	off

4. Turn on the Carter dockage tester.
5. Pour the sample into the hopper.
6. After the sample has passed through the machine, turn off the machine.
7. Lightly snap the retainer rod of the aspiration pan to loosen material gathered on the air screen.
8. Determine dockage, using the list under Composition of dockage.

Composition of dockage

• Material passing through the numberNo. 8 round-hole sieve
• Up to 10% by weight of soft earth pellets handpicked from the sample
• Stems, pods, hulls, loose soybean seed coats, and coarse vegetable matter removed through aspiration with the Carter dockage tester or handpicked from the sample

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.