Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
ATCP 140 - Marketing
Chapter ATCP 155 - Vegetable grading procedures and grade standards
Subchapter II - Grading Procedure for Snap Beans for Processing
Section ATCP 155.12 - Sampling procedure

(1) REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLING. Each load of snap beans shall be graded on the basis of a grading sample collected under s. ATCP 155.03(3). The grading sample shall be collected in compliance with this section. The composite grading sample shall be representative of the entire load of snap beans and shall reflect all qualitative gradations observed in the load by the person who collects the sample.

(2) COMPONENT SAMPLES; COMPOSITE SAMPLE. At least 10 5-1b. samples of snap beans shall be individually collected from each load of snap beans. The 5-1b. samples shall be combined and thoroughly mixed to form a composite sample weighing not less than 50 lbs. The composite sample shall be used to determine tare for a load of snap beans.

(3) GRADING SAMPLE DRAWN FROM COMPOSITE SAMPLE. A grading sample weighing at least 10 lbs. shall be taken from the thoroughly mixed 50 lb. composite sample under sub. (2). The 10-1b. grading sample shall be used to determine the grade and size of snap beans.

(4) TARE. Actual tare shall be used in grading snap beans. Actual tare is the amount deducted from the gross weight of the composite sample for extraneous material only. Extraneous material consists of bean vines and leaves, weeds, stones, sticks, loose dirt or other foreign material. All vines attached to beans shall be detached in determining the grade, and shall be included with the extraneous material.