USGCCornQuality2011HarvestReport.pptVIP

Test weight in U.S. units of pounds per bushel (lb/bu): US average was 58.1 lb/bu with standard deviation of 1.49. Pacific Northwest average 57.3 Southern Rail: 58.5 Gulf: 58.3 * This slide illustrates the kinds of information the Harvest Quality report provides about each factor which is tested: The US aggregate average and standard deviation – in the purple box. A map showing the average for each of the 3 ‘Export Catchment Areas.’ A distribution chart showing the range of results for all samples. A brief description of the test results and their implications The average Test Weight across all samples was 74.8 kg/hl or 58.1 lb/bu with a standard deviation of 1.92. The standard deviation indicates the relative concentration of test results around the average. Average Test Weight shows only minor variation among the three Export Catchment Areas: 73.7 kg/hl in the Pacific Northwest ECA 75.3 kg/hl for Southern Rail and 75.0 kg/hl for the Gulf High test weights indicate well filled kernels and a large % of hard endosperm. * The next grading factor is Broken Corn and Foreign Material measured as a percentage of the total weight of the sample used. US average BCFM was 1.0% with standard deviation of 0.65 PNW and Southern Rail averages were both 1.1, while the average BCFM for the Gulf area was 0.9. In the US grading standards the terms ‘broken corn’ and ‘foreign material’ have very specific meanings, and it is important for buyers to understand these terms. * In the US grading standards ‘broken corn’ and ‘foreign material’ deal mainly with particle size as this graphic illustrates: The dotted lines represent two standardized sieves: the top one with 12/64” openings and bottom one with 6/64” openings. A sample of corn is weighed and then placed on top of this double set of sieves. Non-corn material (other grains, other materials) that do not pass through the 12/64” sieve are picked out and set aside as ‘Foreign Material.’ All particles that p