The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) released this week the 2021/2022 Corn Harvest Quality Report based on 610 samples taken from defined areas within 12 of the top corn-producing and exporting states that revealed this year’s U.S. corn crop has a higher average test weight and lower total damage and stress cracks compared with the previous five crops.
The 2021 crop was planted earlier than average and experienced a mostly warm growing season resulting in projections that it will be the second-largest U.S. corn crop on record at 281.49 million metric tons (15,019 million bushels). This ample supply allows the United States to remain the world’s leading corn exporter and accounts for an estimated 31.4 percent of global corn exports during the marketing year.
“The Council’s mission is one of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives, and as part of our mission, we are pleased to offer this report as a service to our trading partners around the world,” said USGC Chairman Chad Willis. “We are confident in the quality of this year’s crop and hope this report provides timely insight into the specifics of it.”
The 11th edition of the report showed the 2021 crop was planted earlier than average and experienced a mostly warm growing season. Overall, 65 percent of the crop rated as good or excellent condition, nearing record high yields.