NIR at the Grain Elevator: Protein, Moisture, and Starch Before the Truck Leaves
How grain elevators, feed mills, and oilseed processors use NIR to measure protein, moisture, oil, and starch — and catch off-spec deliveries before the truck unloads.
Grain Elevator: Intake to Load-Out
Oilseed Processing
NIR for On-Farm Decisions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What protein and moisture targets do grain elevators use?
- Grain targets vary by crop and market. Wheat for bread flour is typically 12–13% protein, while soft wheat for pastry is 9–10%. Corn for feed is 12–14% protein. Soybeans are usually 36–40% protein. Moisture standards are tighter: most grains are acce...
- How accurate is NIR for protein testing compared to Kjeldahl?
- Modern NIR calibrations for grain protein achieve standard error of prediction (SEP) of 0.3–0.5% when validated against Kjeldahl method. This is excellent for commercial purposes — a protein swing of 1–2% directly affects the purchase price. Calibrat...
- Why does NIR calibration drift in grain handling?
- Grain calibration drift happens because the NIR spectrum is sensitive to moisture, temperature, and physical damage that don't affect the chemical composition. A harvest with higher protein but lower moisture looks different on the spectrometer than ...