According to today's USDA Grain Transportation Report, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recently released results from its 12th annual corn quality survey in the 2022/2023 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report.
This report accompanies USGC’s 2022/2023 Corn Harvest Quality Report, and the differences in results between the two reports reflect changes in corn quality during the marketing process—of which transportation is a key component.
The report is based on 430 export cargo samples collected from shipments inspected by USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service.
Corn samples were evaluated for grade factors (e.g., test weight, heat damage, etc.), intrinsic quality characteristics (e.g., protein, starch, and oil content), physical quality characteristics (e.g., stress cracks), and sanitary quality characteristics (e.g., mycotoxins).
The results are presented at the U.S. aggregate level, as well as for the three major export catchment areas: Gulf, Pacific Northwest, and Southern Rail (i.e., rail exports to Mexico from inland sources).
Because of a lack of aeration during transport, grain shipments are vulnerable to moisture variation leading to possible fungal invasions or pest infestations.