Chapter ATCP 155

ATCP 155.215(7)(a) (a) The deduction is determined according to the procurement contract, based on an agreed upon estimate of the number of thistle buds, nightshade berries or mustard pod pieces that would be found by sampling under sub. (3).

ATCP 155.215(7)(b) (b) The deduction does not exceed the maximum deduction allowed under sub. (6).

ATCP 155.215(7)(c) (c) The contractor discloses to the producer in writing, before the producer agrees to the deduction, that the producer has the right to have the field sampled for thistle buds, nightshade berries and mustard pod pieces according to sub. (3).

ATCP 155.215(7)(d) (d) The agreement is made in writing and signed by the parties during the scheduled harvest period.

ATCP 155.215(7)(e) (e) The agreement specifies the acreage covered by the agreement.

ATCP 155.215(7)(f) (f) A copy of the agreement is provided to the producer.

ATCP 155.215 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1995, No. 470, eff. 3-1-95.

ATCP 155.22 ATCP 155.22 Grading and tenderness testing procedure.

ATCP 155.22(1) (1) Grade standards. Peas shall be inspected for grade characteristics using USDA grade standards or alternative standards specified in writing in the procurement contract.

ATCP 155.22(2) (2) Tenderness. If peas are tested for tenderness in a tenderometer or shear press, the peas in the sample shall be washed in running water and cooled to a temperature of 55 to 65° F. prior to testing. A quantity of not less than 48 ounces from the composite sample shall be used to perform the tenderness test. Tenderness tests shall be conducted on 3 separate portions of the 48 ounce quantity set aside from the composite sample. Peas shall be placed in the tenderometer up to, and level with, the top edge of the test receptacle. If the range between the high and low readings on the 3 separate portions is greater than 6 points, 3 additional readings shall be taken on peas from a second 48 ounce quantity removed from the composite sample and all 6 readings averaged to obtain the tenderness of the peas in the sample.

ATCP 155.22(3) (3) Devices used to determine tenderness. Tenderometers, shear presses or other devices used to measure the tenderness of peas shall be calibrated and certified by the manufacturer of the equipment or an independent testing agency prior to each harvest season and recalibrated daily or as often as necessary. The equipment shall be cleaned between each tenderness reading and maintained in good working condition.

ATCP 155.22 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91.

ATCP 155.23 ATCP 155.23 Grade statement. Within 7 days after a load of peas is harvested, the contractor shall provide the producer with a grade statement for that load, as required by s. ATCP 155.03 (5). A contractor shall orally provide grade information on request of the producer made prior to delivery of the written grade statement. The grade statement shall state the percentage by weight of peas in each grade category, as determined by the grader under this subchapter, and the information required under s. ATCP 155.03 (5). If tenderness of the peas is determined under s. ATCP 155.22 (2), the grade statement shall also include the tenderness classification.

ATCP 155.23 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91.

subch. IV of ch. ATCP 155 Subchapter IV — Grading Procedure for Sweet Corn for Processing

ATCP 155.30 ATCP 155.30 Grading deadline.

ATCP 155.30(1) (1) General. Sweet corn for processing shall be weighed, sampled and graded as soon as possible but not longer than 24 hours after harvest. The contractor shall take necessary and reasonable precautions to preserve the condition of sweet corn at the time of harvest until it is graded.

ATCP 155.30(2) (2) Delay due to extraordinary circumstances; notice. The contractor shall give oral notice to the producer within 24 hours after harvest if, due to extraordinary circumstances, the sweet corn cannot be weighed, sampled and graded within the time provided under sub. (1). Within 7 days after harvest, the contractor shall mail or deliver a written notice to the producer, describing the extraordinary circumstances which justify the contractor’s failure to comply with sub. (1).

ATCP 155.30 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91.

ATCP 155.31 ATCP 155.31 Sampling procedure.

ATCP 155.31(1) (1) Representative sampling. Each load of sweet corn shall be graded on the basis of a grading sample collected under s. ATCP 155.03 (3). The grading sample shall be collected and prepared in compliance with this section. The grading sample shall be representative of the entire load of sweet corn and shall consist of all qualitative gradations observed in the load by the person who collects the sample.

ATCP 155.31(2) (2) Method of sampling. Component samples of approximately equal weight shall be collected from at least 5 separate locations which are representative of the load. The component samples shall then be combined to form a composite grading sample weighing at least 50 lbs.

ATCP 155.31(3) (3) Sample preparation. The composite grading sample under sub. (1) shall be prepared for grading as follows:

ATCP 155.31(3)(a) (a) All ears in the sample shall be completely husked. The shank or stem and any excess tip on the husked ears shall be removed.

ATCP 155.31(3)(b) (b) If a portion of the shank or stem remaining on any husked ear extends more than one inch from the base of the cob, the shank shall be broken or cut off at a point as close as possible but not more than one inch below the base of the cob.

ATCP 155.31(3)(c) (c) If the tip of the cob has an area without usable kernels measuring more than 1/4 the length of the entire cob, enough of the tip shall be broken or cut off so that the remaining portion without usable kernels is not greater than 1/4 the length of the trimmed ear.

ATCP 155.31(4) (4) Tare. Actual tare shall be used in grading sweet corn. Actual tare is the amount deducted from the gross weight of the sample for foreign material only. Foreign material consists of shanks, stalks, leaves, weeds, stones, sticks, loose dirt or foreign material other than the ear of corn itself. Foreign material including shanks, stalks and leaves which are collected as part of the sample shall not be removed prior to analysis of the sample.

ATCP 155.31 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91.

ATCP 155.32 ATCP 155.32 Grading procedure.

ATCP 155.32(1) (1) Grade standards. Sweet corn shall be inspected for grade using USDA grade standards or alternative standards specified in writing in the procurement contract.

ATCP 155.32(2) (2) Maturity defects. If the maturity classification of a load of sweet corn is determined, it shall be classified only according to USDA standards for maturity. Damage to individual ears in the analysis sample shall be described in terms of defects as set forth in USDA grade standards for sweet corn.

ATCP 155.32(3) (3) Corn and tare weighed separately. The corn in the sample shall be weighed separately from the foreign material or tare, and the weights of each shall be recorded on a grade statement.

ATCP 155.32 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91.

ATCP 155.33 ATCP 155.33 Grade statement. Within 7 days after a load of sweet corn is harvested, the contractor shall provide the producer with a grade statement for that load as required by s. ATCP 155.03 (5). A contractor shall orally provide grade information on request of the producer made prior to delivery of the written grade statement. The grade statement shall state the percentage by weight of sweet corn in each grade category, the damaged portion of ears, as determined by the grader under this subchapter, and the information required under s. ATCP 155.03 (5). If the maturity classification of sweet corn is determined under s. ATCP 155.32 (2), the grade statement shall also include the maturity classification as determined by the grader.

ATCP 155.33 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1990, No. 420, eff. 1-1-91.