Wash-Plant Sample Process Update

AS THE SEASON IS RAPIDLY APPROACHING, HGO HAS BEEN WORKING HARD ON IMPROVING AND STREAMLINING THE GROWER SAMPLE PROGRAM.

This includes the establishment of a strict chain of custody from wash-plant to testing lab, validation of the scales used, dedicated sample runners, and a dedicated team for sample drying. To improve the accountability with each sample and to make sure that all samples related to a specific grower lot are always kept together, a Chain of Custody form will be used to record the sample weight, lot number, grower, and sample condition at each point of transfer.

Using a strict chain of custody will ensure timely processing of the samples and improve accountability. To improve wash-plant scale accuracy, each scale will be verified using certified weights. Another important change this year to the sampling program will be the addition of two dedicated sample runners that will be tasked with managing the sample handling program and ensuring the Chain of Custody documentation is complete, accurate and timely. They will be picking up grower samples daily, rotating through all the wash-plants, picking up samples and bringing them back to HGO for drying to nine percent, and then transferring them to the testing lab.

Finally, HGO will have a team dedicated to managing the sample drying program at the plant prior to sending them to the lab. This process will also include a strict chain of custody feature. In summary, the changes implemented this year will bring greater transparency to the process while allowing us to return your delivery reports to you as quickly as possible.