As recently harvested corn goes to market, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) reminds growers to develop a marketing plan for grain with the Market Choices logo, which helps growers and grain handlers identify non-European Union (EU) approved corn hybrids.

Traits with the Market Choices logo are fully approved for food and feed use in the United States, but may not be in some countries. As a result, these hybrids may require separation when delivered to a local elevator and prohibited from entering exported grain.

“Growers who planted these hybrids must develop a plan to ensure their grain goes only to approved markets,” said Martin Barbre, chairman of the NCGA Biotechnology Working Group. “Growers who still need help finding an approved market for any hybrids bearing the Market Choices logo should contact their seed dealer, the American Seed Trade Association or the Know Where To Go site.

The EU is a leading market for corn gluten feed (CGF), and a growing market for distillers dried grains (DDG). To protect the EU feed market, many wet mills will not accept grain produced from Market Choices hybrids. Likewise, ethanol dry mills that may export DDGs to the EU may also refuse to accept this grain. Ideally, the best way to use Market Choices-labeled grain is to feed it on-farm or contract directly to a livestock feeder, Barbre added.

Some examples of a hybrid bearing the Market Choices logo are Herculex™ Rootworm, YieldGard Plus™ or AgriSure GT/CB™. These technologies all have full regulatory approvals in the United States, Japan and several other major markets, but still lack approvals for import into EU.

“Ultimately, there are more markets accepting this grain than opting out,” he said. “We just need to be good stewards of the technology and markets and ensure it goes only to approved markets.”

To learn more visit the Grain Handler’s Database section of the American Seed Trade Association Web site.