The sale weight, storability and ultimately the quality of grain and hay’s is profoundly affected by moisture content. High moisture, especially when paired with high temperatures, increases the risk of mould, mycotoxins, and insect infestation. Therefore, monitoring the moisture content within hay, grains, straw, pulses, and oilseeds is essential for growers, buyers, and processors in the agricultural industry.
Grain and Seed Moisture Meters
To help you save time and effort, Instrument Choice Scientists have sifted through hundreds of products to find five of the very best grain moisture meters.
The AGRETO GFM-PLUS is a portable device capable of rapidly determining the moisture content of grains, corn, oil crops, protein crops and other crops.
Top 3 Features & Benefits:
Accurate with large volumes: The large sample size (80mL), spring-loaded sample compression, and temperature correction ensure a high level of accuracy.
Fast results: Measurement results made available within seconds.
Ease of use: Measuring curves are easy to calibrate and individually adjustable.
Specifications
Total Crops/Grains Measured: 41 Measurement Range: 5-40 % Measurement Accuracy: ± 0.5 % Measurement Resolution: 0.1 % Also measures: N/A
16. Mustard 17. Navy Beans 18. Oats 19. Peanuts Spanish 20. Peas Fodder 21. Peas Green 22. Peas Yellow 23. Phleum 24. Popcorn white 25. Popcorn yellow 26. Rapeseed (Canola) 27. Rice long 28. Rice medium 29. Rye 30 Ryegrass
31. Safflower 32. Sorghum (Milo) 33. Soybeans 34. Spelt 35. Sunflower Oil 36. Sunflower Stripe 37. Triticale 38. Wheat Durum 39. Wheat hard red spring 40. Wheat hard red winter 41. Wheat white
The Wile-65 is the most popular handheld grain moisture meter at Instrument Choice. Rapidly and precisely measures the moisture of grain and seeds. Thanks to its menu-driven display, the Wile-65 is straightforward to operate.
Optional: Add the W-651 temperature probe: Measures produce and feedstocks such as grain, silage, compost and more.
Top 3 Features & Benefits:
Temperature: Wile 65 displays the temperature of the grain sample.
User calibration: User-adjustable calibration – makes it possible to “match” measured results from oven drying meters.
Operating checklist: A quick reference guide is located on the side of the meter to remind you of the basic steps in measuring grain.
Specifications
Total Crops/Grains Measured: 16 Measurement Range: Grain 8 to 35%, Oil Seeds 5 to 25% Measurement Accuracy: ± 0.5% Measurement Resolution: 0.1% Also measures: Temperature
The Wile-78 is both a grain crusher and moisture meter for analysing the moisture content of seeds and kernels.
Ideal for:
Situations where shell or bran thickness varies due to different species or growth conditions; and
Assessing the humidity in the centre of the kernel, even though the external surface is already dry – an issue when moist grain is dried quickly.
Top 3 Features & Benefits:
Durable: The crushing mechanism’s teeth are tempered and very durable – withstand heavy wear.
Fast results: Rapid measurements - performed in only 20 seconds.
Practical: Provides automatic calculations of average values for an overall indication of a product’s moisture content.
Specifications
Total Crops/Grains Measured: 24 Measurement Range: 3 to 40% dependent on the grain or seed Measurement Accuracy: ± 0.5% Measurement Resolution: 0.1% Also measures: Temperature
The Wile-200 accurately measures grain moisture content, hectolitre mass (test weight) and temperature – all in less than 7 seconds!
Top 3 Features & Benefits:
Measures grain moisture, test weight and temperature.
Adjustable grain calibration offset - each grain’s calibration can be individually adjusted by a maximum of 10.0% in increments of 0.1% to match the results of an oven moisture tester.
Integrated levelling system applies automatic weight compensation to balance the differences within grain types and kernel structural variations caused by a change of season.
Specifications
Total Crops/Grains Measured: 22. Measurement Range:4% - 45% depending on grain. Measurement Repeatability: ±0.3% in normal moisture range for stored grain. Measurement Resolution: 0.1%. Also measures: Test weight and temperature.
How to use the IC-WILE-200 Grain Moisture Meter with Test Weight
Hay and Silage Moisture Meters
When hay moisture is too high, your product will be less palatable, develop mould (potentially mycotoxins). Excessive humidity can cause thermal expansion, which in extreme cases, leads to combustion. On the other hand, if hay moisture is too low, your product will have reduced nutritional value and palatability.
Taking hay moisture measurements during and after the bailing process will provide key insights for determining overall quality and value.
Here are our Top 3 Hay Moisture Meters, including their key specifications.
The Hfm II is a hay and straw moisture and temperature meter for capturing accurate, rapid moisture and temperature measurements of bailed hay straw. Also suitable for taking indicative silage measurements.
The IC-AGFP0010 is a professional hay moisture content meter for measuring the moisture of hay and straw bales during pressing. Accurate moisture measurements taken during baling will help you respond to problems earlier.
Top 3 Features & Benefits:
Retrofits to most modern hay balers: Installs or retrofits to standard round / square balers with minimal effort.
Rapid average measurements: The AGRETO PFM II measures at a rate of 25 times per second and displays the average value of a selected measurement interval (1, 2 or 5 seconds). This feature ensures a near-instant overview of the moisture level in a bale.
Tough: A splash / shockproof display unit, plus a high-strength sensor, means you can expect the AGRETO PFM II to provide you years of service.
Minimal maintenance required: Only requires a pre-season clean. Note; take care to remove any visible dirt from bolt heads.
Specifications
Probe Details: 110mm diameter sensor plate with 12m sensor cable Moisture Measuring Range: 9 to 70% Measurement Accuracy: ± 0.8 % for lower moister values Measurement Resolution: 0.1% Also Measures: N/A
The Final Word
Grain and hay moisture meters remove the guesswork when choosing your harvest times, managing storage and assessing the value of your products. Ensure the quality of your crops and reduce waste – that’s a win-win-win!
Instrument Choice offers a wide range of grain and hay moisture meters to suit almost any moisture monitoring application. We guarantee to find you a grain and hay moisture meter to suit your needs perfectly. Choose models from entry-level handheld testers to comprehensive moisture analysers.
Seeking more information on the products mentioned above? Need some advice or assistance finding the best moisture meter for your application? Speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist! Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].
Non-contact thermometers take rapid measurements of surface temperatures. Their combined speed and ease of use make them invaluable tools for HVAC, manufacturing, and foodservice industries (to name a few). There are times when using a non-contact thermometer is ideal; BUT – you need to be aware of several important exceptions.
This article explains the right situations to use a non-contact thermometer and some limitations when performing temperature measurements.
Discover the right times to use a non-contact thermometer
A standard ceramic reference junction in a soil pH tester's electrode can quickly become clogged when measuring samples with high suspended solids concentrations. The IC-HI981030 Groline Soil pH Tester features an open reference junction with a removable sleeve design to counteract this potential problem.
While the Groline Soil pH Tester's unique open gel interface between the sample and internal reference minimises the risk of junction blockage, if any soil enters the junction, it can easily be cleaned and refreshed using more bridge electrolyte solution.
This quick video guide details replacing and filling the electrolyte solution in a Groline Soil pH Tester. See the demonstration here
