FarmLead’s new grain testing tool helps producers succeed across the country
Regardless of whether producers are buying, selling or trading grain, Grain-Tests has aggregated multiple labs and testing facilities to streamline the grain testing process.
Brennan Turner, FarmLead CEO and president, says understanding the quality of grain producers have for sale is very important.
“GrainTests wants to make it easy for anyone to know the quality of their grain, and we want those looking for quality grain to have access to facilities that can complete those tests cost effectively,” Turner states, adding that being able to order multiple tests for multiple samples at one time is convenient.
GrainTests is an online tool, which offers multiple tests producers can purchase, including U.S. grading, grain moisture, fusarium, vomitoxin, aflatoxin, oil content and many more.
Corn, spring and winter wheat, durum wheat, malt barley, feed barley, rye, oats, peas, lentils, soybeans, canola, flax, mustard and beans can all be tested in the program.
The process
Across the United States and Canada, Grain-Tests has partnered with 50 different labs where producers can send samples. By the end of 2017, about 50 more are expected to partner, says Turner.
“Farmers enjoy being able to test their grain using one company, but they also like having the option of sending samples to different labs, which may have different tests available,” he added.
All labs partnered with GrainTests follow USDA Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) standards and Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) standards, says GrainTests.com.
FarmLead doesn’t make money through the tool. Producers are only charged for credit card processing fees and costs to maintain the website.
“The whole purpose of GrainTests.com is to allow any producer to understand the quality of their grain using this easy and manageable online tool,” Turner states.
Testing advantages
Other than grain quality results, producers can use the grain testing results to market their products better.
“Using the results from GrainTests, producers can attract buyers who are looking for grain that meets or nearly meets certain standards,” says Turner.
“Thousands of dollars in value can be added because of grain testing results, and in the current market, added value can be very beneficial for producers,” he added.
Turner believes understanding the cost of production is the most important factor to consider when selling grain. Marketing grain is also very important, and testing can help producers do both.
“Knowing the quality of grain also allows producers to shop around when it comes to selling their grain,” states Turner.
Testing benefits grain elevators because, when an unfamiliar producer brings grain in, tested grain can pave the path to a good sale.
Also, when grain is sold, downgrading factors, which decrease grain value, won’t be a surprise for producers who test their grain. Plus, producers can supply the grain testing results to buyers or grain elevators to handle any quality disputes, says Turner.
“GrainTests wants to help producers be prepared and get the best deal possible when buying, selling or trading grain,” Turner states.
GrainTests development
Turner developed the idea of GrainTests on his family farm, which grows cereals, oilseeds and pulses.
“I realized that knowing what the quality of our grain allowed for our grain to be sold at better prices,” he says.
Turner adds, working with one test company didn’t meet all of the operation’s testing needs, so he expanded the idea and, with FarmLead, developed GrainTests.com.
“The idea was developed a few years ago, but FarmLead wanted to acquire user feedback to make the tool as user friendly and effective as possible,” he explains.
While GrainTests is fairly new, Turner says, if producers think certain lab should be added to the group of testing facilities, they should send an e-mail. GrainTests.com hopes to partner with suggested facilities to make testing even easier for producers across the U.S. and Canada.
Heather Loraas is assistant editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at heather@wylr.net
