moisture meter – Fuhler Labor

Feed Quality Control: Essential Tests Every Feed Mill Should Run

March 4, 2026

Animal feed quality control is not a peripheral concern — it sits at the intersection of animal health, farm profitability, and food safety. A batch of feed with incorrect protein content wastes money; feed contaminated with mycotoxins can devastate a livestock operation. Yet many feed mills still rely on infrequent third-party testing rather than in-house analytical capability. Here is a look at the essential tests that any serious feed mill should be running regularly. Moisture Content Moisture is the entry point for all feed quality analysis. High moisture in stored raw materials and finished feeds promotes mould growth and mycotoxin development. Target moisture levels vary by ingredient — typically below 14% for cereals, below 12% for compound feeds — but the key is consistency and monitoring over time. Crude Protein Protein content determines the nutritional value and cost of any feed formulation. NIR analysers provide rapid protein estimates for incoming raw materials and finished feeds. Periodic verification against the reference Kjeldahl method is essential to maintain NIR calibration accuracy. Systematic deviations from formulation targets quickly erode margins and animal performance. Starch and Energy Content For energy-dense feeds, starch content is a key formulation parameter. NIR instruments can estimate starch alongside protein and moisture simultaneously. Accurate energy estimation reduces the risk of over- or under-supplying energy to livestock, both of which have direct economic consequences. Mycotoxin Screening Aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone, and fumonisins are among the most economically and clinically significant mycotoxins affecting feed raw materials. Rapid lateral flow immunoassay strips provide field-level screening; ELISA kits offer greater sensitivity. Positive screens should always be confirmed by accredited laboratory methods before reject decisions are made. Particle Size and Pellet Quality Physical feed quality — particle size distribution and pellet durability — directly affects feed intake, digestibility, and wastage. A pellet durability index (PDI) test takes minutes and predicts how well pellets will survive handling and transport to the feed trough. Consistent physical quality is a key differentiator in the competitive compound feed market. Fuhler Labor supplies verified pre-owned feed quality control instruments including NIR analysers, moisture meters, and laboratory balances — allowing feed mills to build robust in-house analytical capability without prohibitive capital expenditure.

A Guide to Moisture Measurement in Grain and Cereal Products

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Grain Quality Control

March 4, 2026

Moisture content is arguably the single most important quality parameter in the storage and trade of grain and cereal products. Too high, and grain becomes vulnerable to mould growth, mycotoxin development, and heat damage during storage. Too low, and the seller loses weight — and therefore revenue — on every tonne traded. Precise moisture measurement is not optional; it is a commercial and food safety necessity. Reference Method: Oven Drying The internationally recognised reference method for grain moisture measurement is oven drying (ISO 712 / ICC 110). A weighed sample is dried at 130°C for two hours. The weight loss expressed as a percentage of the original weight gives the moisture content. While highly accurate, the method is slow — making it unsuitable for rapid intake decisions at a grain elevator receiving hundreds of loads per day. Rapid Methods: Capacitance and Resistance Meters Dielectric (capacitance-based) moisture meters — such as the Dickey-John GAC series — measure moisture by passing an electrical field through the grain sample and correlating its dielectric properties with moisture content. Results in under a minute make these instruments ideal for rapid intake screening. They require regular calibration against the reference oven drying method for each grain type. NIR for Moisture Near-Infrared analysers can also provide rapid moisture readings alongside protein and other parameters, though they are typically less precise than dedicated dielectric meters for on-the-spot intake decisions. NIR moisture measurement excels in controlled milling and processing environments where speed and multi-parameter output are both valuable. Temperature Compensation A frequently overlooked factor in moisture measurement accuracy is sample temperature. Most rapid moisture meters require temperature compensation — measuring the grain temperature and applying a correction factor — because dielectric properties change with temperature. Cold grain arriving at intake from outdoor storage in winter can give systematically low moisture readings if temperature compensation is disabled or incorrectly applied. Fuhler Labor stocks verified pre-owned Dickey-John GAC moisture analysers and Axis laboratory balances for moisture verification — essential tools for any grain intake or processing operation.

5 Common Mistakes in Flour Laboratory Testing (and How to Avoid Them)

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Lab Best Practice

March 4, 2026

Even the best laboratory equipment produces unreliable results if the testing procedure is flawed. After years of working with flour and grain laboratories, we have seen the same errors appear repeatedly — often in facilities that consider themselves well-equipped. Here are the five most common testing mistakes and the practical steps to eliminate them. 1. Inconsistent Sample Conditioning Most flour laboratory tests are highly sensitive to moisture content. Failing to condition samples to a standard moisture level (typically 14% for wheat flour) before testing introduces systematic variability. Always use a conditioning chamber and allow adequate equilibration time — a minimum of 2 hours, preferably overnight for cold samples arriving from storage. 2. Skipping Instrument Warm-Up Electronic laboratory instruments — particularly NIR analysers and Falling Number units — require warm-up periods for their heating elements, electronics, and optics to stabilise. Running tests immediately after switching on the instrument is a common source of outlier results. Follow manufacturer warm-up specifications religiously. 3. Neglecting Reference Sample Checks Running certified reference materials at the start of each testing session is the only reliable way to verify that an instrument is performing within specification. Many laboratories skip this step to save time — and then spend far more time investigating unexpected results. A simple daily check with one certified reference takes less than five minutes and protects every result that follows. 4. Poorly Maintained Sieves and Consumables For gluten washing and sedimentation tests, damaged or clogged sieves are a frequent source of error. Sieves should be inspected regularly under magnification, replaced on a scheduled basis, and never cleaned with abrasive materials. Similarly, Falling Number viscometer tubes should be inspected for scratches, which alter fluid dynamics and introduce measurement bias. 5. Inadequate Sample Homogeneity A 10-gram sub-sample for a Falling Number test must be truly representative of the lot being assessed. Failing to properly mix and split bulk samples before sub-sampling is one of the most common root causes of between-laboratory discrepancies. Use a rotary divider or riffle splitter to ensure representative sub-samples, particularly for heterogeneous grain lots with potential sprouting pockets.

How NIR Analysers Are Changing Grain Quality Control

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Technology & Innovation

March 4, 2026

Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has transformed quality control in the grain and milling industry. What once required a panel of separate wet chemistry tests — each taking hours and consuming reagents — can now be accomplished in seconds with a single, non-destructive scan. Understanding what NIR can and cannot do is essential for any modern grain handler or flour miller. The Principle of NIR Analysis NIR instruments illuminate a sample with near-infrared light across a range of wavelengths. Different chemical bonds in the sample — those of protein, moisture, starch, and fat — absorb light at characteristic wavelengths. By measuring the reflected or transmitted light pattern, the instrument uses mathematical calibration models to predict the composition of the sample. The result: protein content, moisture, starch, ash, and even wet gluten estimates — all from a single measurement taking less than 30 seconds and requiring no sample preparation beyond ensuring the grain is representative. Key Applications in the Grain Chain Calibration: The Critical Factor An NIR analyser is only as good as its calibration. Calibrations are built using reference samples with known values determined by reference methods (e.g., Kjeldahl for protein, Karl Fischer for moisture). Using the wrong calibration — one built for soft wheat on hard wheat, for instance — produces systematically incorrect results. Always verify that your instrument’s calibration matches your grain type and origin. Leading Instruments on the Market Perten DA 7250, Foss Infratec, and Bruker instruments are among the most respected NIR platforms in the industry. At Fuhler Labor, we offer pre-owned NIR analysers with documented calibration histories, allowing mills to access this technology at a fraction of the new price.

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Feed Quality Control: Essential Tests Every Feed Mill Should Run

A Guide to Moisture Measurement in Grain and Cereal Products

5 Common Mistakes in Flour Laboratory Testing (and How to Avoid Them)

How NIR Analysers Are Changing Grain Quality Control

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Tag: moisture meter

Feed Quality Control: Essential Tests Every Feed Mill Should Run

A Guide to Moisture Measurement in Grain and Cereal Products

5 Common Mistakes in Flour Laboratory Testing (and How to Avoid Them)

How NIR Analysers Are Changing Grain Quality Control