Maize Survey​ Information

SAGL activity list for the maize crop quality report:

• Upon commencement of the harvesting season, SAGL sends out circulars to all members of the Grain Silo Industry as well as to the National Chamber of Milling as a reminder for the sending of representative crop samples to SAGL.  Included in the circular is a sampling procedure as well as courier information for the sending of samples to SAGL.  (Please see the procedure for sampling and sending of samples to SAGL below.) 
• SAGL starts receiving samples within a month of sending out the circulars.
• Analysis commences upon receival of the first samples.
• Within two weeks of receiving the first samples, the first data are available on the SAGL web site. 
• Results are from then on updated onto the web site on a weekly basis.
• The suppliers of the samples, receive the results on a weekly basis via e-mail.
• The sending of samples to SAGL is followed up by means of weekly telephone calls.
• Analyses:
  • Each of the samples (normally between 800 and 900), representing the different production regions, is fully graded according to RSA and USA grading regulations. 
  • Physical tests comprising 100 kernel mass, stress cracks, breakability and kernel size analyses are performed. 
  • Milling index values are determined as well as the moisture, protein, fat and starch content of the samples. 
  • The white maize samples, normally between 450 and 600 samples, are milled on the Roff mill and whiteness index analyses are done on the maize meal.  SAGL’s aim is to finish all the above analyses by the end of November each year. 
  • Mycotoxin (Aflatoxin, Deoxynivalenol, Fumonisin, Ochratoxin A and Zearalenone) and GMO (Bt (MON 810) and RUR (NK603)) analyses are done on 10 % of the total number of samples, the aim is annually to finish these analyses before the end of December.
• When all the analyses have been completed, normally at the beginning of January, SAGL starts with the compiling of the report, this includes drawing up of tables and graphs, statistical analysis of data.  The compiling and formatting of the report normally takes three to four weeks.  The final draft of the report is forwarded to the printers approximately a week before the hard copy report is ready for distribution.
• As the planting and harvesting times are highly dependant on environmental and climatic conditions, setting fixed dates for the individual activities is not an option.
• The whole process of putting together a crop report is very time consuming.  SAGL personnel work at full capacity in order to make the report available as soon as possible. 
• The sooner the samples are forwarded to and received at SAGL, the sooner analyses can commence and the sooner the report can be made available.