Comparison of Pneumatic and Automatic Spout Samplers to Determine Grade of Farmers Stock Peanuts

Abstract

Abstract There were significant differences in performance of the pneumatic sampler (PS) and automatic spout sampler (ASpS) as determined by differences in mean values or variability for several grade factors. Significant differences in mean were found for loose shelled kernels (LSK), foreign material (FM), sound mature kernels (SMK) and other kernels (OK). Significant differences in variability were also found for LSK, sound mature kernels plus sound splits (SMK+SS) and total kernels (TK). The mean LSK averaged 1.6 percentage points higher for samples taken with the PS than for those taken with the ASpS. Evidently the PS shelled out a small percentage of the peanuts during the sampling process. This shelling action of the PS may have contributed to the slightly higher estimations of foreign material (FM) and other kernels (OK) and the slightly lower estimation of total sound mature kernels (SMK+SS) than obtained with the ASpS. When applying 1988 quota prices to the average grade for these 14 loads of peanuts, the value for 0.90 metric ton (1 ton) of peanuts was $18.60 higher for peanuts using the ASpS compared to the same amount using the PS. This higher value would be an important factor when considering new marketing strategies that use the ASpS or similar in-line samplers. When using the PS and AsPs, the grade (except for SMK) tended to overestimate the plant outturns. Linear regression equations were developed to relate grade estimates to plant outturns.