Corn crop makes the grade: High marks for quality in USGC report

WASHINGTON — U.S. corn growers harvested the highest quality crop in recent years across several categories in 2024.

The U.S. Grains Council’s 2024-2025 Corn Harvest Quality Report noted the crop had the highest 100-kernel weight and tied for the highest kernel volume in the 14-year history of the report. The corn going through the combine also was near the top in several other quality categories.

A second USGC report, the 2024-2025 Corn Export Quality Report, will measure corn quality at the point of loading at export terminals and will be available this spring.

Sampling

The report is based on 620 unblended yellow corn samples taken from defined areas within 12 of the top corn-producing and exporting states.

Samples were pulled from inbound farm-originated trucks by local elevators from Aug. 22 through Nov. 19.

The average aggregate quality of the representative samples tested was better than the grade factor requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade. The report also showed 89.2% of the samples met the grade factor requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade, and 96.2% met the grade factor requirements for U.S. No. 2.

Historical Perspective

U.S. test weight averaged 58.9 pounds per bushel, one-half pound higher than 2023, and 0.7 pounds above the average over the previous 13 years of sampling.

The broken corn and foreign matter of 0.6% was 0.1% higher than last year and the second lowest in 14 years.

Sampling found 1.1% total damage compared to 0.9% a year ago and 0.26% below the 14-year average.

Harvest moisture averaged 15.3%, matching 2012 as the lowest moisture level over 14 years. The 2023 and 2022 corn each tested at 16.3%.

U.S. corn tested at harvest had an average protein (dry basis) of 8.5%, starch was 72.2%, and oil, 3.8%. Those levels a year ago were 8.8%, 71.9% and 3.8%, respectively.

Stress cracks were at 9.3% compared to 19.2% a year ago, which was the highest since this report began in 2011.

The aggregate 100-kernel weight reached a 14-year high of 39.66 grams. Last year’s was 35.52 grams.

Harvest samples found whole kernels at 93.1%, slightly above 92.5% in 2023 and 2.1% better than 2022. The highest over the survey’s timeline was 95.2% in 2016.

Horneous endosperm average matched 2023 at 85%, 3% below the 2022 high.

Mycotoxins

In 2024, 98.9% of the samples tested at or below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration action level for aflatoxin of 20 parts per billion, and 91.7% of the samples tested below 5 ppb, a slightly lower proportion than in 2023 (93.9%).

Of the 2024 samples, 98.9% tested at or below the 5.0 parts per million FDA advisory level for deoxynivalenol. Also, 93.9% of the samples tested below 1.5 ppm, a slightly higher proportion than in 2023 (93.4%).

In 2024, 97.2% of the samples tested below the FDA’s strictest guidance level for fumonisin of 5 ppm, a slightly lower proportion than in 2023.

The USGC-sponsored study shows U.S. corn experienced limited stress throughout its development due to favorable growing season conditions. Those factors contributed to the highest projected average yield on record and promoted good grain quality, and relatively warm, dry conditions during September and October permitted an effective dry-down and timely harvest, the report stated.

Promoting Quality

USGC conducted a series of promotional programs to present data from the study to international buyers and end-users and inform them about the quality of the 2024-2025 U.S. corn crop.

The council held in-person and virtual events in India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, Mexico, Southeast Asia and Taiwan throughout January, allowing global agricultural stakeholders to start the year equipped with the latest information on U.S corn quality.

“Transparency is a vital part of any relationship, and that includes business and trade,” said Verity Ulibarri, USGC chairwoman.

“This report provides clear and honest data to international buyers to highlight the quality of U.S. corn and how it can make a difference to end-users everywhere.

“These rollout events communicate to buyers that they can trust U.S. producers and the council is a reliable partner to facilitate trade in international markets.

“International customers recognize and appreciate the commitment made by U.S. farmers to produce the highest quality crops and the council’s efforts to offer precise data so they can understand the product before they buy it.”