Sorghum
Subpart I --United
States Standards for Sorghum
Terms Defined
§ 810.1401 Definition of sorghum.
Grain that, before the removal of dockage,consistsof 50 percentor more of whole
kernelsof sorghum(Sorghumbicolor (L.) Moench)excluding nongrain sorghumand not
more than 10.0 percentof othergrains for which standardshave beenestablishedunder
the United StatesGrain StandardsAct.
§ 810.1402Definitions of other terms.
(a) Brokenkernels.All matterwhich passesthrougha 5/64triangular-holesieveand over
a 2.5/64round-holesieveaccordingto proceduresprescribedin FGIS instructions.
(b) Broken kernelsandforeign material. The combinationof brokenkernelsand foreign
material as defmed in paragraphs(a) and (f) of this section.
(c) Classes.There are four classesof sorghum:Sorghum,Tannin sorghum,White
sorghum,and Mixed sorghum.
(1) Sorghum.Sorghumwhich is low in tannin contentdue to the absenceof a pigmented
testa(subcoat)and containslessthan 98.0 percentWhite sorghumand not more than 3.0
percentTannin sorghum.The pericarpcolor of this classmay appearwhite, yellow, pink,
orange,red, or bronze.
(2) Tanninsorghum. Sorghumwhich is high in tannin contentdue to the presenceof a
pigmentedtesta(subcoat)and containsnot more than 10.0 percentnon-Tanninsorghum.
The pericarp color of this classis usually brown but may also be white, yellow, pink,
orange,red, or bronze.
(3) Whitesorghum. Sorghumwhich is low in tannin contentdue to the absenceof a
pigmentedtesta (subcoat)and containsnot more than2.0 percentsorghumof other
classes.The pericarp color of this classis white or translucentand includes sorghum
containing spotsthat, singly or in combination,cover25.0 percentor less of the kernel.
(4) Mixed sorghum. Sorghumwhich doesnot meetthe requirementsfor any of the classes
Sorghum,Tannin sorghum,or White sorghum.
(d) Damagedkernels.Kernels,piecesof sorghumkernels,and othergrains that are badly
ground damaged,badly weatherdamaged,diseased,frost-damaged,germ-damaged,heat-
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Sorghum
damaged,insect-bored,mold-damaged,sprout-damaged,or otherwisematerially
damaged.
(e) Dockage.All matter other than sorghumthat canbe removed from the original sample
by use of an approveddeviceaccordingto proceduresprescribedin FGIS instructions.
Also, underdeveloped,shriveled,and small piecesof sorghumkernelsremovedin
properly separatingthe material otherthan sorghum.
(f) Foreign material. All matter, exceptsorghum,which passesover the number6 riddle
and all matter other than sorghumthat remainson the top of the 5/64triangular-hole
sieveaccordingto proceduresprescribedin FGIS instructions.
(g) Heat-damagedkernels.Kernels,piecesof sorghumkernels,and othergrains that are
materially discoloredand damagedby heat.
(h) Nongrain sorghum.Seedsof broomcorn,Johnson-grass,SorghumalmumParodi,
sorghum-sudangrass
hybrids, sorgrass,sudangrass,and sweetsorghum(sorgo).
(i) Pericarp. The pericarp is the outer layers of the sorghumgrain and is fusedto the
seedcoat.
(j) Sieves.
(1) 1.98 mm (5/64 (0.0781)inches)triangular-hole sieve.A metal sieve0.81 rom (0.032
inches)thick with equilateraltriangularperforationsthe inscribedcircles of which are
1.98 rom(0.0781 inches)in diameter.
(2) 0.99mm (21/2/64 (0.0391)inches)round-holesieve.A metal sieve0.81 rom (0.032
inch) thick with round holes 0.99 rom(0.0391 inches)in diameter.
Principles Governing the Application of Standards
§ 810.1403Basis of determination.
Each determinationof brokenkernelsand foreign material is madeon the basisof the
grain when free from dockage.Eachdeterminationof class,damagedkernels,heatdamagedkernels,and stonesis madeon the basis of the grain whenfree from dockage
and that portion of the brokenkernels,and foreign material that will passthrough a 1.98
rom (5/64 inch) triangular-holesieve. Otherdeterminationsnot specificallyprovided for
in the generalprovisions are made on the basis of the grain as a whole exceptthe
determinationof odor is made on eitherthe basis of the grain as a whole or the grain
when free from dockage,brokenkernels,and foreign materialremovedby the 1.98 rom
(5/64 inch) triangular-holesieve.
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Sorghum
Sorghum Grades and Grade Requirements
§ 810.1404-Grades and grade requirements for sorghum.
GradesU.S. Nos. 11
Grading factors
1
2
3
4
55.0
53.0
51.0
Minimum pound limits of
Test weight per bushel:
57.0
Maximum percentlimits of
Damagedkernels:
Heat(part of total)
Total
Broken kernelsand foreign material:
Foreign material (part of total)
Total
0.2
2.0
0.5
5.0
1.0
10.0
3.0
15.0
1.5
4.0
2.5
7.0
3.5
10.0
4.5
13.0
9
1
2
1
7
9
1
2
1
7
9
I
2
1
7
9
1
2
1
7
3
7
3
7
3
7
3
7
Maximum count limits of
Othermaterial:
Animal filth
Castorbeans
Crotalariaseeds
Glass
Stones ~
Unknown foreign substance
Cockleburs
U.S. Samplegradeis sorghumthat:
(a) Does not meetthe requirementsfor U.S. Nos. 1,2,3, or 4; or
(b) Has a musty, sour or commerciallyobjectionableforeign odor (exceptsmutodor); or
(c) Is badly weathered,heating or distinctly low quality.
1/ Sorghum which is distinctly discolored shall not grade higher than U.S. No.3.
11 Aggregate weight of stonesmust also exceed 0.2 percent of the sampleweight.
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Sorghum
SpecialGrades and SpecialGrade Requirements
§ 810.1405Special grades and special grade requirements.
Smuttysorghum. Sorghumthat haskernelscoveredwith smutsporesto give a smutty
appearancein mass,or that contains20 or more smutballs in 100 gramsof sorghum.
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