There are different types of corn in the market: dent, flint, floury, sweet corn and popcorn.
Dent corn is the most common type produced by farmers for feed and food. Number two corn is the standard for the trade; this grain has a test weight of at least 56 lbs/bushel at 15% moisture. Specialty corns have physical or chemical characteristics that distinguish them from regular dent corn. Specialty corns can be hard texture endosperm types that make them suitable for dry milling and/or for food applications. Other specialty corns could be more suitable for wet milling for the extraction of starch for food or industrial applications. Other types of specialty corns are the so called biofortified types. These types of corns have genetic characteristics that enhance the nutritional value of the grain. These genetic characteristics of corn can be selected and bred into corn hybrids with the grain and yield characteristics of commercial corns. Among the most important biofortified corns are the modified protein corns such as the high lysine, high tryptophane corn, known as the quality protein corn. Other biofortified corns have high content of anthocyanin corn, with antioxidant characteristics. High provitamin A corn has elevated contents of carotenoids, pigments that are the precursors of Vitamin A. This vitamin is important in eye health and normal development.
The modified starch corn types include the waxy type that has 100% amylopectin, a starch type with special characteristics for food and feed. In feed, the waxy endosperm has high digestibility that improves the feed efficiency in feed rations. High amylose types have 55%-85% content of this type of starch with low digestibility. This type of starch acts as a high fiber food for improved colon health and low glycemic index.
Genetic Enterprises international (GEI) has been breeding these specialty traits into their specialty corn hybrids for farmers in the U.S corn belt.
The company introduced GEI 2318 High Provitamin A hybrid in 2015. Grain farmers are growing this hybrid to produce grain for feed for poultry and for food applications. There will be a greater amount of seed available for 2017. We are delighted to be the first company to offer this specialty corn on a commercial scale. The importance of this biofortified corn type has been highlighted by the recognition given this year to the winners of the world food prize for their efforts and accomplishments in the development and introduction of biofortified products in Africa.
Genetic Enterprises International will be introducing three new hybrids in 2017. GEI 9887 lys RM 95, is an early high lysine hybrid to complement the current hybrid GEI 101 lys RM 102-108.
GEI 9700 waxy RM 108-110, will be available for use for food and feed. There are people interested in using this corn in pig feed and silage and for domestic and international food markets.
GEI 9717 hard endosperm corn RM 110 will be available for dry milling and food or feed.
Genetic Enterprises International will have a field day September 15 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Specialty corns and corn quality characteristics topics will be discussed by experts in the field.
There will be a display of 30 hybrids in the field covering the maturities of RM 95- 115. The hybrids will be a mix of conventional non- gmo and specialty corns.