Kernel Volume
Kernel volume, measured in cubic centimeters (cm3), is often indicative of growing conditions. If conditions are dry, kernels may be smaller than average. If drought hits later in the season, kernels may have lower fill. Small or round kernels are more difficult to degerm. Additionally, small kernels may lead to increased cleanout losses for processors and higher yields of fiber.
Results
- Average U.S. Aggregate kernel volume (0.28 cm3) was higher than 2016/2017 (0.27 cm3), but same as 2017/2018 and the 5YA.
- Kernel volume range (0.20 to 0.32 cm3) was similar to 2017/2018 (0.22 to 0.32 cm3) and 2016/2017 (0.24 to 0.31 cm3).
- The kernel volume standard deviation (0.01 cm3) was the same as 2017/2018, 2016/2017 and the 5YA.
- Average U.S. Aggregate kernel volume at export (0.28 cm3) was the same as the 2018 harvest.
- Average kernel volume was smaller for the Pacific Northwest ECA (0.25 cm3) than for the Gulf (0.29 cm3) and Southern Rail ECAs (0.28 cm3) in 2018/2019. The Pacific Northwest ECA also had the lowest or tied for the lowest average kernel volume for 2017/2018, 2016/2017 and the 5YA.
- Of the 2018/2019 export samples, 58.0% had kernel volumes equal to or greater than 0.28 cm3, compared with 64.7% in 2017/2018 and 32.8% in 2016/2017.
- There is a positive relationship between kernel volume and 100-kernel weight in the 2018/2019 export samples, as shown in the adjacent figure (the correlation coefficient is 0.99). This indicates that the higher the weight of 100 kernels of corn, the greater the kernel volume.
- Average kernel volume for contracts loaded as U.S. No. 2 or better (0.28 cm3) was lower than for contracts loaded as U.S. No. 3 or better (0.29 cm3).