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2015/2016 Sorghum Harvest and Export Quality Report

Contents

  1. Harvest Quality Highlights
  2. Export Quality Highlights
  3. Introduction
  4. Harvest Quality Test Results
  5. Moisture
  6. Physical Factors
  7. Mycotoxins
  8. Export Quality Test Results
  9. Moisture
  10. Chemical Composition
  11. Physical Factors
  12. Mycotoxins
  13. Crop and Weather Conditions
  14. Planting and Early Growth Conditions
  15. Late Vegetative and Mid-Pollination Conditions
  16. Maturity and Harvest Conditions
  17. Comparison of 2015 to 2010-2014
  18. U.S. Sorghum Export System
  19. U.S. Sorghum Export Flow
  20. Impact of the Sorghum Market Channel on Quality
  21. U.S. Government Inspection and Grading
  22. U.S. Sorghum Production, Usage and Outlook
  23. U.S. Sorghum Use and Ending Stocks
  24. Outlook
  25. Harvest Survey and Statistical Analysis Methods
  26. Survey Design and Sampling
  27. Statistical Analysis
  28. Export Survey and Statistical Analysis Methods
  29. Survey Design and Sampling
  30. Statistical Analysis
  31. Testing Analysis Methods
  32. Sorghum Grading Factors
  33. Moisture
  34. Chemical Composition
  35. Physical Factors
  36. Mycotoxin Testing
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B. Moisture

Moisture content (water weight in kernels per total weight of kernels (i.e., water plus dry matter)) is reported on offcial grade certifcates, but does not determine which numerical grade will be assigned to the sample. Moisture content affects the amount of dry matter being sold and purchased. Also an indicator for potential drying, moisture has potential implications for storability, and affects test weight. Higher moisture content at harvest increases the chance of kernel damage occurring during harvesting and drying. Moisture content and the amount of mechanical drying required will also affect breakage and germination. Extremely wet kernels may be a precursor to high mold damage later in storage or transport. While the weather during the growing season affects yield and the development of the kernels, harvest moisture is influenced largely by the timing of harvest and harvest weather conditions.

RESULTS

  • The U.S. Export Aggregate moisture contents recorded at export loadout facilities in the 2015/2016 samples averaged 13.8%, with a minimum value of 12.3% and a maximum value of 14.6%.
  • The moisture content values for the 2015/2016 U.S. Export Aggregate samples had a standard deviation of 0.34%.
  • Average U.S. Export Aggregate moisture was lower than average U.S. Harvest Aggregate moisture (14.1%); however, the standard deviation of export samples was much lower than that for the harvest samples (1.19%).
  • The 2015/2016 moisture values were distributed with 86.8% of the samples containing 14% or less moisture and the other 13.2% of the samples between 14% and 15% moisture. The 14% moisture level is the base moisture used by most elevators for discounts and a level considered safe for storage for short periods during low winter-time temperatures.
  • Average moisture content was slightly higher in samples for the NOLA EO (13.8%), with more variability than in samples for the Texas EO (13.6%).