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Corn Export Cargo Quality Report 2017/2018

Contents

  1. Export Cargo Quality Highlights
  2. Introduction
  3. Grade Factors
  4. Quality Test Results
  5. Moisture
  6. Chemical Composition
  7. Physical Factors
  8. Stress Cracks
  9. 100- Kernel Weight
  10. Kernel Volume
  11. Kernel True Density
  12. Whole Kernels
  13. Horneous (Hard) Endosperm
  14. Mycotoxins
  15. Assessing the Presence of Aflatoxins and Deoxynivalenol (DON)
  16. Background: Mycotoxins General
  17. Background: Aflatoxins
  18. Background: Deoxynivalenol (DON) or Vomitoxin
  19. U.S. Corn Export System
  20. U.S. Corn Export Flow
  21. Impact of The Corn Market Channel on Quality
  22. U.S. Government Inspection and Grading
  23. Survey & Statistical Analysis Methods
  24. Survey Design & Sampling
  25. Statistical Analysis
  26. Testing Analysis Methods
  27. Grade Factors
  28. Moisture
  29. Chemical Composition
  30. Physical Factors
  31. Mycotoxins
  32. U.S. Corn Grades & Conversions
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Horneous (Hard) Endosperm

The horneous (hard) endosperm test measures the percent of horneous or hard endosperm out of the total endosperm in a kernel, with a potential value from 70 to 100%. The greater the amount of horneous endosperm relative to soft endosperm, the harder the corn kernel is said to be. The degree of hardness is important to the type of intended processing. Hard corn is needed to produce high yields of large-flaking grits in dry milling. Medium-high to medium hardness is desired for alkaline cooking. Moderate to soft hardness is used for wet milling and livestock feeding.

Hardness has been correlated with breakage susceptibility, feed utilization/efficiency and starch digestibility. As a test of overall hardness, there is no good or bad value for horneous endosperm; there is only a preference by different end users for particular ranges. Many dry millers and alkaline cookers would like greater than 90% horneous endosperm, while wet millers and feeders would typically prefer values between 70 and 85%. However, there are certainly exceptions in user preference.

Results

  • Average U.S. Aggregate horneous endosperm (81%) was higher than 2016/2017 (79%), slightly higher than 2015/2016 (80%) and slightly lower than 5YA (82%).
  • Average horneous endosperm for 2017/2018, 2016/2017, 2015/2016 and export 5YA were within ±1% of the average horneous endosperm for 2017, 2016, 2015 and 5YA at harvest, respectively.
  • The 2017/2018 export samples for horneous endosperm had a smaller range (75 to 90%) and standard deviation (2%) than the 2017 harvest samples’ range (71 to 92%) and standard deviation (4%). This same pattern of increased uniformity for export samples compared with harvest samples occurred in 2016/2017, 2015/2016 and 5YA as well.
  • Average horneous endosperm among all ECAs was within 1, 1, 0 and 2 percentage points of each other for 2017/2018, 2016/2017, 2015/2016 and 5YA, respectively.
  • Of the 2017/2018 export samples, 72.0% had at least 80% horneous endosperm, in contrast to 25% in 2016/2017 and 55% in 2015/2016. This indicates a higher percentage of the 2017/2018 samples contained high amounts of horneous endosperm than in the two previous years.
  • Average horneous endosperm for contracts loaded as U.S. No. 2 o/b was 81% and for contracts loaded as U.S. No. 3 o/b was 82%.