[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 122 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34629-34630]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16963]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Official Moisture Meter for Corn, Soybeans, and Sunflower Seeds

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 
(GIPSA) is announcing that as of August 1, 1998, and thereafter, all 
official moisture content measurements of corn, soybeans, and sunflower 
seed inspected under the United States Grain Standards Act will be made 
with the Grain Analysis Computer Model 2100 (GAC 2100). Official 
moisture content measurements of other grains and agricultural 
commodities will continue to be made with the Motomco Model 919 
Moisture Meter until the changeover date for those grains is announced.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 1, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven N. Tanner, Director, Technical 
Services Division, GIPSA, USDA, 10383 N. Executive Hills Boulevard, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64153; telephone (816) 891-0401; fax (816) 891-
0478.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration (GIPSA) announced the selection of the Grain Analysis 
Computer Model 2100 (GAC 2100), manufactured by Dickey-john 
Corporation, Auburn, Illinois, to replace the Motomco Model 919 
Moisture Meter for official moisture content measurements in the 
Federal Register (63 FR 17356) on April 9, 1998. Implementation of the 
new instruments for official measurements of grains, oilseeds, and 
processed commodities will be phased in, product by product, over a 
period of at least 2 years. For any given product, all official 
moisture measurements will be performed using the Motomco Model 919 
until the transition date for that product; the GAC 2100 will be used 
exclusively thereafter. Transition dates for each product will be 
selected to minimize the impact of the changes on the value of carry-
over stocks and will be announced by GIPSA through a Notice in the 
Federal Register prior to the transition.
    The transition date for corn, soybeans, and oil-type sunflower 
seeds is hereby designated as August 1, 1998. The GAC 2100 will be used 
for all official moisture determinations on these grains after July 31, 
1998. Official calibrations for the GAC 2100 to be used with corn (8% 
to 20% moisture), high moisture corn (19% to 40% moisture), soybeans 
(6% to 24% moisture), and oil-type sunflower seeds (4% to 20% moisture) 
are provided in GIPSA Directive 9180.61, dated May 5, 1998.
    The tentative transition date for barley, oats, rough rices, 
sorghum, and all wheats is May 1, 1999. Transition dates for peas, 
beans, lentils, and other commodities may lie beyond 1999.
    GIPSA's decision to use the GAC 2100 for official moisture 
measurements does not mean that the Agency endorses or recommends this 
instrument for unofficial purposes over other similar instruments that 
are not approved for the official system. The Agency's selection of 
this instrument was based on GIPSA's unique operational needs. Other 
instrument models may be as suitable or more suitable for a commercial 
entity's needs.
    In addition, this document corrects the authority citation as 
published in the April 9, 1998, Federal Register, 63 FR 17356, in the 
first column of page 17357, in a notice concerning implementation of a 
new official moisture meter. That notice inadvertently omitted 
reference to the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 in the authority 
citation. The April 9, 1998, citation should read the same as the 
authority citation for this document.

    Authority: Pub. L. 94-582, 90 Stat. 2867, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
71 et seq.); and Secs. 202-208, 60 Stat. 1087, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
1621 et seq.).


[[Page 34630]]


    Dated: June 19, 1998.
David R. Shipman,
Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-16963 Filed 6-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P