High oil corn (HOC) acreage in the U.S. has increased from less than 50,000 acres in 1992 to nearly one million acres in 1998. HOC contains 11/2 to 2 times more oil as well as higher quality proteins than normal yellow dent corn. It is attractive as a livestock feed because it has greater energy value than normal yellow dent corn and can replace more expensive dietary sources of fats and proteins. Contract production of high oil grain may offer corn growers higher profits through premiums. There are several different seed technologies available for producing high oil corn.
Single cross HOC hybrids have been available for a number of years but they have not been widely used by growers because their grain yield potential has been lower than normal (low oil) hybrids. Presently, the TopCross grain production system licensed by Optimum Quality Grains, L.L.C. is the most widely used method for producing HOC. This system involves planting a blend ( a TC-Blend ) of two different types of seed corn mixed together in the same bag.
Several companies are marketing and developing nutritionally dense corns which contain higher oil levels along with higher protein and/or altered amino or fatty acid profiles. These nutritionally dense corns include the Supercede brand from Dow AgroSciences, and the NutriDense brand from ExSeed. The Supercede and NutriDense corn hybrids have been licenced to other seed companies by Dow AgroSciences and ExSeed for distribution.
Although there is an increasing amount of information on HOC available from public and private sources, there is no comprehensive source of knowledge on HOC that growers and crop production professionals can consult.
The purpose of this web-based guide is 1) to help growers assess the potential benefits and risks associated with HOC production; 2) provide end-users with information on the grain quality attributes and nutritional value of HOC; and 3) provide university, Extension and agribusiness crop production professionals with current developments relating to HOC. This guide includes links to web-based HOC information from Extension and agricultural universities, corn grower organizations and agricultural industry.
Prepared by:
Peter R. Thomison
Extension Agronomist
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