Home

Corn Harvest Quality Report 2012/2013

Contents

  1. Harvest Quality Highlights
  2. Introduction
  3. Quality Test Results
  4. Moisture
  5. Chemical Composition
  6. Physical Factors
  7. Mycotoxins
  8. Crop and Weather Conditions
  9. Planting and Early Growth Conditions - Spring (March-May)
  10. Pollination and Grain Fill Conditions - Summer (June-August)
  11. Harvest Conditions (August-October +)
  12. U.S. Corn Production, Usage, Outlook
  13. U.S. Corn Use and Ending Stocks
  14. Outlook
  15. Survey and Statistical Analysis Methods
  16. Survey Design and Sampling
  17. Statistical Analysis
  18. Testing Analysis Methods
  19. Corn Grading Factors
  20. Moisture
  21. Chemical Composition
  22. Physical Factors
  23. Mycotoxin Testing
Download report

C. Chemical Composition

Chemical composition of corn is important because the components of protein, starch and oil are of significant interest to end users. The chemical composition attributes are not grade factors. However, they provide additional information related to nutritional value for livestock and poultry feeding and for wet milling uses, and other processing uses of corn. Unlike many physical attributes, chemical composition values are not expected to change significantly during storage or transport.

1. Protein

Protein is very important for poultry and livestock feeding. It helps with feeding efficiency and supplies essential sulfur-containing amino acids. Protein is usually inversely related to starch content. Results are reported on a dry basis.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • In 2012, the U.S. Aggregate protein averaged 9.4%, which was significantly higher than the 8.7% found in 2011. Protein ranged from 7.0 to 12.4% with a standard deviation of 0.66% for the U.S. Aggregate.
  • Protein was distributed with 28.6% between 8.0% and 8.99%, 43.0% between 9.0% and 9.99%, and 25.0% at 10.0% or higher.
  • Protein averages for corn expected to be marketed through the Gulf, Pacific Northwest, and Southern Rail ECAs were 9.3%, 9.4%, and 9.5%, respectively.

2. Starch

Starch is an important factor for corn used by wet millers and dry-grind ethanol manufacturers. High starch content is often indicative of good kernel maturation/filling conditions and reasonably high kernel densities. Starch is usually inversely related to protein content. Results are reported on a dry basis.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The U.S. Aggregate starch averaged 73.0% in 2012, very close to 73.4% found in 2011.
  • Starch ranged from 70.6 to 75.6% with a standard deviation of 0.67% for the U.S. Aggregate.
  • Starch was distributed with 38.8% between 72% and 72.99%, 43.5% between 73.0% and 73.99%, and 10.0% equal or greater than 74.0%.
  • Starch averages for corn expected to be marketed through the Gulf, Pacific Northwest, and Southern Rail ECAs were 73.1%, 72.8% and 72.9%, respectively.

3. Oil

Oil is an essential component of poultry and livestock rations. It serves as an energy source, enables fat-soluble vitamins to be utilized, and provides certain essential fatty acids. Oil is also an important co-product of corn wet and dry milling. Results are reported on a dry basis.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • U.S. Aggregate oil averaged 3.7% in 2012, unchanged from the 3.7% found in 2011.
  • Oil ranged from 1.7 to 5.5% with a standard deviation of 0.34% for the U.S. Aggregate.
  • Oil was distributed with 40.0% of the samples at 2.75 to 3.24%, and 49.1% of samples at 3.25% and higher.
  • Oil averages for corn expected to be marketed through the Gulf, Pacific Northwest, and Southern Rail ECAs were 3.8%, 3.7% and 3.7%, respectively. Thus, it is likely that there will be no noteworthy differences in oil content of corn coming from any of these catchment areas.

SUMMARY: CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

  • The significantly higher average protein content (9.4%) in 2012 over 2011 is attributable partly to improved genetics and also to some extent by lowered crop yields (metric tons per hectare or bushels per acre) resulting in increased available nitrogen for surviving plants during the growing season.
  • Starch content (73.0%) was moderately high compared to 73.4% in 2011. In combination with observed high test weights, this indicates good kernel filling that should be good for all processing uses and feeding.
  • Oil content (3.7 to 3.8%) was relatively constant across all ECAs and unchanged from 2011.