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Corn Harvest Quality Report 2019/2020

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. Background: Fumonisin
  20. U.S. Corn Export System
  21. Planting and Early Growth Conditions
  22. Pollination and Grain-fill Conditions
  23. Harvest Conditions
  24. Comparison of 2019 to 2018, 2017 and the 5YA
  25. U.S. Corn Production, Usage & Outlook
  26. U.S. Corn Use and Ending Stocks
  27. Survey Design and Sampling
  28. Statistical Analysis
  29. Grade Factors
  30. Physical Factors
  31. Mycotoxins
  32. U.S. Corn Grades & Conversions

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 a 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

  • U.S. Aggregate kernel volume averaged 0.28 cm3 in 2019, same as 2018 and 5YA, but lower than 2017 (0.29 cm3).
  • Kernel volume variability was constant across the years. The standard deviation for U.S. Aggregate kernel volume was 0.02 cm3 for 2019, 2018, 2017 and the 5YA.
  • Kernel volume range in 2019 (0.22 to 0.34 cm3) was similar to 2018 (0.19 to 0.36 cm3) and 2017 (0.18 to 0.36 cm3).
  • The kernel volumes in 2019 were distributed, with 17.8% of the samples having kernel volumes of 0.30 cm3 or greater, compared to 2018 (20.3%) and 2017 (31.3%). This distribution indicates there was a lower percentage of large kernels in 2019 compared to 2018 and 2017.
  • Kernel volume for the Gulf, Pacific Northwest and Southern Rail ECAs averaged 0.28, 0.27 and 0.28 cm3, respectively. Among the ECAs, the Pacific Northwest ECA had the lowest average kernel volume in 2019, 2018, 2017 and the 5YA.