December 24, 2013
US Grains Council announces 2013-14 Corn Harvest Quality Report
The US Grains Council (USGC) released its 2013-14 Corn Harvest Quality Report showing top-line findings such as record production, high quality and minor weather-related impacts.
"After a record drought last year, the world has been watching intently the 2013 US corn crop," said USGC President and CEO Tom Sleight. "Production has rebounded, and quality is high despite some weather challenges. It''s good news all around."
Total US corn production of 355.3 million tonnes is an all-time record, and the average yield of 10.1 tonnes per hectare is the second highest on record. Weather was again the challenge, as a cold and wet spring delayed planting across much of the corn belt. Some areas also experienced flash-drought conditions in mid-summer, although this was generally offset by cooler temperatures.
These weather adversities slightly reduced planted acreage and yield, while harvest quality remained very high. As compared to prior years, weather related impacts were modest and predictable. Aflatoxins were significantly lower than in the 2012 crop, with 99.4% of the samples testing below the FDA aflatoxin action level of 20 parts per billion. Starch content was up, while protein content, which is inversely related to starch, was down slightly. Oil content was similar to 2011 and 2012. Moisture content, reflecting weather conditions, was slightly higher, as were stress cracks, but total damage levels remained very low, comparable to 2012 and below 2011 levels. Average test weight remained well above the limit for no. one grade corn, indicating overall good quality.
Corn quality will be affected by further handling, so the council annually publishes a second report, the Corn Export Quality Report, which assesses quality at the point of loading for international shipment. The 2013-14 Export Quality Report will be published in March 2014.
The two reports, utilising consistent methodology to permit the assessment of trends over time, are intended to provide reliable, timely, and transparent information on the quality of US corn as it moves through export channels.