USGC's corn quality report see record yields

U.S. Grains Council

December 28, 2017

BY Tim Albrecht

The U.S. Grain Council released its latest corn quality report Dec. 21. The seventh annual survey showed a record corn yield and overall great crop quality due to an outstanding growing season.

According to the report, the majority of 2017 corn crop conditions were rated as good or excellent during the growing season, leading to strong plant health, good kernel size and a projected record yield of 370.3 million metric tons, the second-largest crop on record. 

“The council’s mission is one of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives, and as part of this mission, the council is pleased to offer this report as a service to our partners,” said Deb Keller, USGC chairman and farmer from Iowa, in the opening of the report. “We hope this report continues in its role of providing accurate and timely insight into the quality of the 2017 U.S. corn crop.” 

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The report showed 95.1 percent of U.S. corn samples tested rated at U.S. grade No. 2 or better, largely the result of the extended planting period; a warm, wet vegetative period; a cool, dry and prolonged grain-filling period; and a warm, wet and slow harvest. 

Average test weight of 58.4 pounds per bushel was higher than the five-year average and indicates good kernel filling and maturation. Average 100-kernel weight of 36.07 grams was higher than the previous two years, signifying larger kernels than in previous years. 

About 98 percent of samples tested below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration action level for aflatoxins. One-hundred percent of the samples tested below the FDA advisory level for vomitoxins for chicken, cattle, hogs and other animals. 

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The report is based on 627 yellow corn samples taken from designated areas within the top-12 corn-producing and exporting states.

“The council’s series of quality reports uses consistent and transparent methodology to allow for comparison with past years’ quality,” Keller wrote. “This enables buyers to make well-informed decisions and have confidence in the capacity and reliability of the U.S. corn market.” 

Read the full report here and look for more information on the rollout events in 2018.

 

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