For the past two years, HGCA has conducted a Grain Sampling and Analysis Project (GSAP), thanks to substantial funding from HM Treasurys Invest to Save Budget.

The project aimed to understand sampling and analysis techniques across the industry and put forward ways of improving current practice. It is estimated that failure to meet market specifications could be costing the industry some 2.5 million a year.

The project included a review of, and research into, sampling techniques and analytical methods. There was also extensive knowledge transfer with farmer meetings, show attendances and publications.

Our first publication was Grain sampling - a farmers guide which set definitive protocols to help farmers sampling loads from the field and in store for quality.

A computer programme - GrainPlan - to enable grain store management followed and was launched at Grain 2003.

This booklet brings the project to a close by dealing with two key aspects of grain sampling and analysis: first, an understanding of the variation which explains why grain sampling is so complex; second, an overview of how grain can be sampled and analysed effectively, based on research conducted over the past two years.

Overall, the GSAP project has added considerably to the industry's understanding of how grain is sampled and analysed. It has set new standards.