Meet the Factor: Moisture Content – A Critical Component of Grain Quality
Grain grading goes beyond just visual inspection—some of the most important quality factors lie beneath the surface. One of the most essential of these is moisture content, a key indicator that affects everything from marketability and storage to milling and processing efficiency.
At Ground Truth Ag, our benchtop MV/NIRS technology uses Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to instantly measure moisture content, helping ensure every decision is backed by accurate, real-time data.
What is Moisture Content in Grain?
Moisture content refers to the amount of water present in grain. It plays a vital role in determining grain's storage life, susceptibility to spoilage, and performance during processing. Even small variations in moisture levels can lead to major differences in handling, quality, and safety.
We currently measure moisture in the following grains:
✔ Wheat (CWRS, CWAD, CWSWS, CPS, and more) - Moisture affects storage safety and milling efficiency.
✔ Red Lentils - Proper moisture levels are critical for transport, export standards, and dehulling yield.
✔ Soybeans - Moisture influences crush efficiency, storage, and shipping stability.
✔ Oats & Faba Beans – (In Development) Moisture measurement will support better storage, processing, and blending decisions for these high-demand crops.
Why Does Moisture Content Matter?
📌 For Farmers & Sellers – Moisture affects saleability and pricing. Overly wet grain may be rejected or penalized, while under-dried grain can result in shrink loss.
📌 For Buyers & Processors – Moisture impacts handling, spoilage risk, and final product consistency. Accurate readings support better planning for drying, storage, and processing.
📌 For Export & Transport – Moisture regulations must be met for international trade. Managing moisture levels reduces spoilage and improves quality on arrival.
How We Measure Moisture
Traditional moisture testing requires time, manual equipment, and handling. Our benchtop MV/NIRS system uses Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to measure moisture instantly—without needing chemical reagents or destructive testing.
With real-time moisture analysis, users can:
Optimize drying and storage strategies
Reduce spoilage risk and rejections
Make more confident marketing and blending decisions
By integrating AI-powered moisture detection into automated grain grading, we’re making it easier to maintain quality from the field to final destination.
Want to learn more about how we’re automating grain grading with AI and NIRS?