The University of Vermont Extension Cereal Grain Testing Laboratory is now closed for routine maintenance and will re-open in July 2013.
ABOUT THE LABORATORY
The Cereal Grain Quality Testing Laboratory is run by the University of Vermont Northwest Crops and Soils Program led by Dr. Heather Darby. The lab opened in 2011 thanks to funding from the Castanea Foundation and the support from generous private donations.
The lab is equipped with near-infrared technology for protein analysis and employs a method to test for deoxynivalenol (DON) also known as vomitoxin. Occurrences of this vomitoxin in wheat at or above 1 ppm are considered unsafe for human consumption by the FDA. Contamination of wheat with DON is directly related to the incidence of Fusarium head blight and strongly associated with relative moisture and timing of rainfall at flowering.
Our lab also houses a sophisticated machine to test the Falling Number of wheat, an internationally standardized method for sprout damage detection. The Falling Number System measures the alpha-amylase enzyme activity in grains and flour to detect sprout damage, optimize flour enzyme activity and guarantee soundness of traded grain. Alpha-amylase activity is crucial for final product quality of bread, pasta, noodles and malt.
SUBMITTING SAMPLES
During the testing season, we accept grain samples from farmers throughout the region. Click here to download a Cereal Grain Test Submission Form. In order to get results that accurately reflect your product, be sure to employ good sampling techniques. Remember the results are only as good as the sample submitted!
