Harvest samples sought for grain durability study
A researcher studying ways to make field corn less susceptible to damage during transportation is asking farmers for samples of their 2022 crop.
Dr. Candice Hirsch, an associate professor in the University of Minnesota Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, is studying how growing practices, genetic variations, and physical properties of corn kernels contribute to kernel durability.
When corn is shipped, whether by train or ocean carrier, it can crack, break apart, or sustain fungal damage, which can reduce its value. The more times corn is moved, the more likely it is to sustain damage.
Because corn sold abroad can be moved many times during the transportation process, durability is especially important to export markets. Approximately 16% of U.S. field corn was exported in 2021, according to the National Corn Growers Association.
As part of her project, Hirsch and her team will simulate the shipping process on the samples they receive. They’ll also analyze the compositional properties of the samples.
Farmers who are willing to send samples are asked to contact Hirsch at cnhirsch@umn.edu. Hirsch and her team will send farmers packaging materials and pay for all shipping costs.
Hirsch and her team request that farmers send information such as growing location, inputs used, and more along with the samples.
