Corn Breakage in Overseas Shipments to Japan

ABSTRACT Two shipments of U.S. No. 3 Yellow Dent Corn were loaded at U.S. gulf port elevators and shipped to Japan. About 57,000 t were loaded in May 1985 and 55,0001 were loaded in March 1986. In 1985, the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) certificate indicated 3.4% BCFM which increased to 5.0% based on probe samples from the ship. During pneumatic unloading in Japan an additional 2.8 percentage points of BCFM were generated for corn loaded into barges. In 1986, corn temperatures were lower and stress crack levels were higher than in 1985. The FGIS certificate indicated 3.86% BCFM, while probe samples from the vessel indicated an increase to 6.5% BCFM at the gulf port. After unloading in Japan and reloading onto coaster vessels, an additional 2.2 percentage points of BCFM were generated.