The spread between the minimum and maximum protein content narrowed to 6.3 points, compared to 7.4 points in 1997, but it was still larger than the 5.4 point margin in 1996 and 4.0 points in 1995. Generally, protein content is negatively correlated to starch content. While the protein average decreased in 1998, the starch content increased 2.2 percentage points to 64.1. The average oil content decreased 0.1 percentage points to 3.2. However, average oil content has essentially remained unchanged for the past four years, although seven high oil corn samples were included in the 1998 survey.
Density is considered an indication of kernel hardness.
The range of points in 1998 showed that the spread narrowed for the second straight year. Given the low protein values of the 1998 Indiana corn crop, feed manufacturers and producers will need to increase the soybean meal portion in their rations. Cornstarch processors should benefit, although higher starch levels do not necessarily mean higher starch yields. The results in Table 2 only give an indication of the composition values of corn across Indiana. Conditions during the growing season, hybrid selection, and soil fertility significantly affect intrinsic values such as protein, oil, starch, and density.