[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 22596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10393]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration


Official Moisture Meter for Barley, Oats, Long and Medium Grain 
Rough Rice, Sorghum, and All Classes of Wheat

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 May 1, 1999, and thereafter, all 
official moisture content measurements of barley, oats, long and medium 
grain rough rice, sorghum, and all classes of wheat 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 that have not yet been given an official 
transition date will continue to be made with the Motomco Model 919 
Moisture Meter until the changeover date for those grains is announced.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 1,1999.

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 continue to be phased in, product by 
product. 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 are being 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 barley, oats, long and medium grain rough 
rice, sorghum, and all classes of wheat is May 1, 1999. The GAC 2100 
will be used for all official moisture determinations on these grains 
after April 30, 1999. Official calibrations for the GAC 2100 to be used 
with these grains are provided in GIPSA Directive 9180.61, dated May 1, 
1999.
    The transition date for corn, soybeans, and oil-type sunflower 
seeds was August 1, 1998. Transition dates for other grains and 
commodities will be announced in the future.
    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.

    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.).

    Dated: April 20, 1999.
David R. Shipman,
Acting Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-10393 Filed 4-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P