USGC 2024/25 Corn Harvest Quality Report Shows High Yield, Low BCFM

According to the U.S. Grains Council's (USGC's) 2024/2025 Corn Harvest Quality Report, the 14th such annual survey published globally today, the 2024 U.S. corn crop is projected to be the third largest on record with the highest 100-kernel weight in the history of the report and lower broken corn and foreign material (BCFM), lower total damage and lower moisture than in the last five years.

Favorable growing season conditions contributed to the highest projected average yield on record and promoted good grain quality. Relatively warm, dry conditions during September and October also permitted an effective dry-down and timely harvest, thus maintaining the overall quality of the 2024 corn crop.

The 2024 growing season was characterized by quick emergence, warm conditions during the growing season, ample moisture and milder temperatures during pollination and warm, dry conditions during dry-down and harvest. Given these generally favorable growing conditions, average yield is projected to be the highest on record. Despite slightly lower harvested hectares compared to last year, total production is projected to be 384.64 million metric tons (15,143 million bushels).

The 2024 crop, on average, is entering the market channel with characteristics that met or exceeded each grade factor's numerical requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade corn. The report also showed that 89.2% of the samples met all grade factor requirements for U.S. No. 1 grade, and 96.2% met the grade factor requirements for U.S. No. 2 grade corn.

"The Council takes pride in producing this annual report that proves the quality and abundance of U.S. corn year over year. Because the U.S. is dedicated to transparency and sharing it with potential buyers, it helps them make informed decisions and aligns with the Council's mission of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives," said Verity Ulibarri, USGC chairwoman. "The information contained in the report provides the foundation for evaluating trends and the factors that impact corn quality. The cumulative reports also enable export buyers to make year-to-year comparisons and assess patterns of corn quality based on crop growing conditions across the years."

The report is based on 620 yellow corn samples taken from defined areas within 12 of the top corn-producing and exporting states. Inbound samples were collected from local grain elevators to measure and analyze quality at the point of origin and provide representative information about the variability of the quality characteristics across the diverse geographic regions.

Test weight of 58.9 pounds per bushel (lb/bu), or 75.8 kilograms per hectoliter (kg/hl), achieved the highest value observed in the history of the report. Average U.S. aggregate BCFM in 2024 (0.6%) and average U.S. aggregate total damage (1.1%) were both lower than the 5YA. Average U.S. aggregate moisture content in 2024 (15.3%) matched the lowest value observed in the history of the report.

This year's corn protein concentration registered at 8.5 percent, equaling the five-year average.

The chemical composition of the crop remained in a healthy range, as 98.9 percent of the samples tested below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) action level for both aflatoxins and deoxynivalenol. Additionally, 98.3 percent tested below the FDA's strictest guidance level of 5.0 parts per million for fumonisin.

The Council will present its findings to buyers around the world in a series of roll-out events through the first quarter of 2025, offering participants clear expectations regarding the quality of corn for this marketing year. During these initiatives, crop quality information is accompanied by updates on U.S. corn grading and handling, that provides importers and end-users with a better understanding of how U.S. corn is moved and controlled through export channels.

Read the full 2024/2025 USGC Corn Harvest Quality Report here and stay up to date on its associated rollout events on the Council's website. A second Council-produced study, the 2024/2025 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report, will measure corn quality at export terminals at the point of loading and will be available in early 2025.

2024/2025 Corn Harvest Quality Report