MSU Grain Quality Lab

Maintaining high quality standards is crucial to growth of the food grade grain and craft malting, brewing, distilling and milling industries. Grain should be tested at a lab that understands which quality factors are important and uses standardized methodologies approved by the industry.

Raw malting barley and other grains (oats, rye, wheat, corn, etc.) can be tested at the MSU Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center Grain Quality Lab in Chatham, MI utilizing methods outlined by the American Society of Brewing Chemists with adaptations for non-barley grains. The lab participates in the ASBC check sample program to ensure confidence in results.

We strive to have results reported seven to ten business days after your sample has been received by the lab.

The labs will be closed the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Independence Day. Samples will be processed immediately upon our return to the lab. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions regarding these temporary closures, please contact the labs.

Analysis options

To learn more about the quality parameters analyzed and methods used for malting barley and other grains, please refer to our Understanding Malting Barley Analysis fact sheet.

	Grain Analysis Options
Analysis option	Includes	Price/sample*
Complete analysis	protein, moisture, kernel assortment, pre-harvest sprout, DON and germination tests	$109
Protein + Moisture	using Infratec Nova NIR	$39
Kernel assortment	using Pfeuffer Sortimat K3	$26
Pre-harvest sprout	using Perten RVA Starch Master 2	$52
Deoxynivalenol (DON)	using Neogen Raptor	$41
Germination energy, capacity and water sensitivity	germination energy, capacity and water sensitivity	$33

*Alternative, at-cost pricing is available for MSU students and staff, as well as government-funded research outside of MSU. Please contact the labs for more information.