Quantify the weight and value lost to foreign material in your grain.
Enter total load weight, measured dockage (foreign material) percentage, the elevator's deduction rate, and test weight. The calculator gives dockage weight, net saleable weight, dockage bushels, and the economic loss.
A truck of corn tested 4% dockage — chaff, weed seeds and broken cobs. On a 50,000 lb load that is 2,000 lb rejected before weighing. Knowing the dockage before the elevator's probe prevents surprises at the scale.
✓ Expert Reviewed: This calculator and its content have been reviewed by agricultural experts. Formulas are based on standard extension service recommendations. For site-specific advice, consult your local agronomist.
Enter the required input values in the form fields above. Each field includes default values that you can adjust to match your specific situation. Click the Calculate button (or simply change any input) to see instant results. Use the Metric/Imperial toggle to switch between unit systems. Results are displayed in the results panel and can be used for farm planning and decision-making.
This calculator is designed to help farmers, agronomists, and agricultural students make quick, accurate calculations for farm management. It uses standard agricultural formulas based on extension service recommendations and scientific literature. Whether you are planning inputs, estimating yields, or managing finances, this tool provides reliable estimates to support your decisions.
Dockage weight = total weight × dockage % ÷ 100. Net weight = total − dockage. Dockage bushels = dockage weight ÷ test weight. Economic loss = dockage bushels × deduction rate per bushel.
50,000 lb at 3% dockage: dockage = 1,500 lb, net = 48,500 lb. At 56 lb/bu: 26.8 bu of dockage. At $0.10/bu deduction: $2.68 loss per load — small per load but adds up over a season.
Common mistakes: guessing dockage instead of sieving a sample; confusing dockage (foreign material) with moisture; applying the deduction to gross instead of net weight; not keeping a copy of the probe report.
Dockage is foreign material — chaff, broken kernels, weed seeds, dirt, stems — mixed with the grain. Elevators remove and weigh it out before paying you for clean grain.
A probe sample is sieved and separated; the foreign material is weighed as a percentage of the sample. Standard dockage is usually 1–2% for clean grain; 3%+ triggers discounts.
Weed seed pressure, combining too fast, open concave settings, worn screens, harvest weeds before they shatter, and grain comingles with chaff. Adjust combine settings and sample loads.
No. Dockage is physical foreign material; moisture is water in the grain. Both can reduce what you are paid, but they are deducted by different mechanisms.
Yes. Keep a duplicate probe sample sealed and dated. If you disagree, request a re-check or use a licensed grader. Some states have grain inspection dispute processes.