What is grain Uniformity?

The visual and internal quality and characteristics of individual kernels of grain differs, for example between different varieties, soil types and weather conditions The variation shows as a variation in for example kernel hardness, moisture content, diameter and in kernel weight.

Why measure grain uniformity?

Ask the miller! He wants to produce as much flour as possible of the correct quality, from a certain amount of grain.

Within a specific load of wheat the miller wants the grain to be as uniform as possible to obtain the optimal milling result. The individual kernels should be as uniform as possible in terms of weight, diameter, hardness, moisture et c.

If the grain is not uniform, the milling result will decrease. For example a load of mixed wheat can be analysed by NIR and be found to have a good hardness, but in reality the grain can be a mix of hard and soft wheat that will produce flour of incorrect quality. Other examples are the importance of the distribution in kernel size in milling process and the moisture distribution in the tempering process.

There is an increasing awareness in the grain industry, of the importance of grain uniformity for a proper milling result, and the costs in reduced quality and quantity of flour if processing non- uniform grain. The miller, who produces the flour, is also depending on grain traders, grain intakes and ultimately the breeders to supply him with the proper raw material.

The uniformity in grain cannot be measured as an average for a sample, but must be analysed on a single kernel basis.

How can you measure the uniformity in grain?

Using measurements made on 300 individual kernels in a sample, the SKCS 4100 determines individual kernel hardness, weight, diameter and moisture. Results are obtained as mean values and standard deviations for each of the four parameters. Distributions of kernel data are illustrated in histograms. Further the SKCS 4100 classifies the wheat according to the Hardness Index.


Additional characteristics, such as tempering status and milling performance can optionally be predicted. Data processing is accomplished with an internal processor with hard disk and 3.5" floppy disk, with ports for CRT, keyboard, printer and serial output


Applications include hardness classification for grading and payment purposes, characterisation of grain uniformity and detection of mixed loads of grain. Users include mills, grain intakes, grain traders as well as breeders and R&D centres.

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