Moisture Equipment

The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) uses the Unified Grain Moisture Algorithm (UGMA) to achieve its primary objective under the U.S. Grain Standards Act to 'certify the quality of grain as accurately as practical' as well as provide accurate information on storability, economic value and product yield. (7 U.S.C. Sec. 74(b)(2) and (b)(3)(B), (C), and (E)). Moisture meters are used to determine the amount of moisture within grain presented for sale, a critical assessment of quality that affects the value and storability of the grain.

GIPSA has provided some Frequently Asked Questions about the UGMA-Compatible moisture meters. (Updated 04/23/2015) (PDF; 62Kb)

Official Moisture Meters for All Officially-Inspected Grains and Commodities

  • DICKEY-JOHN GAC 2500-UGMA
  • Perten AM 5200-A

Official Moisture Calibrations

Official Moisture Meter Checktest Procedures

Moisture Seminar

In June 2015, GIPSA held an outreach seminar at the Northern Crops Institute in Fargo, North Dakota, about moisture measurement technology, capabilities, and performance. The presenters included personnel from GIPSA’s Technology and Science Division and Quality Assurance and Compliance Division along with representatives from DICKEY-john Corporation, Perten Instruments, Inc., and Grain Quality Analytics, LLC. The presentations covered the following topics:

Technical Reference Materials