1. A. All agricultural commodities shall be graded and sampled in accordance with official USDA grading standards, as detailed in The Official United States Standards for Grain handbook.
2. B. Procedures that result in equivalent results to USDA procedures are acceptable.

3. C. Requirements for Certification as an Elevator Grain Sampler and/or Grader

   1. 1. All grain shall be graded by a state or federally certified grader.
   2. 2. The commission shall be responsible for the certification of grain samplers and graders.
   3. 3. All persons interested in being certified to grade or sample grain for an elevator shall apply on a form which shall be provided by the commission.
   4. 4. All applicants shall be trained by a federally certified grader employed by the department.
   5. 5. All applicants shall pass an examination which shall be given by the department. The examination fee shall be $5 and shall be submitted with the application. If the applicant successfully completes the examination, he will be required to pay a $25 fee in order to be certified.
   6. 6. Each person that has been certified and whose certification has not been revoked or suspended may renew that certification by applying to renew with a fee of $25.
   7. 7. All certifications shall expire on December 31 of each year and shall be renewed annually.
   8. 8. The grain grader license number issued by the department shall be displayed at the grain elevator at all times.
   9. 9. The grain grader license number as well as the weighmaster license number that verified the weight of the grain load shall be displayed on each grain grading and scale ticket.
4. D. Grain samplers and graders may have his or her state certification suspended or revoked for failure to comply with the provisions of this Section by a ruling of the commission based upon an adjudicatory hearing held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:950, et seq.
5. E. The commission shall be required to provide each grain dealer with a copy of all changes to USDA standards prior to the effective date of such changes.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S.3:3405 and R.S. 3:3414.3

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Agriculture, Office of Agro-Consumer Services, Agricultural Commodities Commission, LR 9:309 (May 1983), amended LR 12:288 (May 1986), amended LR 12:288 (May 1986), amended by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Agricultural Commodities Commission, LR 37:507 (February 2011), LR 49:2073 (December 2023).