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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
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IV. CROP AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

HIGHLIGHTS

Weather plays a large role in corn planting, growing conditions, and grain development, and therefore in final grain yield and quality. Overall, 2012 was a difficult growing year in large portions of the U.S. Corn Belt, with much of the growing area experiencing heat and drought stress. Key events of the 2012 growing season include:

  • Record heat and drought throughout much of the growing area reduced overall yield and starch production, while increasing grain protein. However, these conditions did not adversely impact test weight and density.
  • Some areas received timely rains (especially Minnesota and North Dakota in the Pacific Northwest and Gulf ECAs), and as a result, had closer to average grain development. Minnesota is projected to have record yields.
  • Macroclimate (latitude, temperature, and precipitation), as well as microclimate (within field factors such as low-lying field areas, or relief from the sun due to shading from trees or the land sloping to the north or east) conditions led to great variability in production and quality this year.
  • Hybrid selection was a crucial factor for tolerance of the drought and heat.

The following sections describe how the 2012 growing season weather impacted the corn yield and quality in the U.S. Corn Belt.