CORN MATCHMAKERS

American Edge Grain gives farmers the opportunity to maximize profits by capitalizing on unique kernel traits

- Cassidy Walter

Leaders of a corn marketing company say to think of them as matchmakers. 

“There’s somebody out there that wants a better corn, and you probably produce a better corn,” says Chris Thompson, executive vice president of American Edge Grain. “Let’s match each other up.” 

American Edge Grain (AEG) is helping farmers test and market corn based on key attributes within the kernel to obtain a premium price, while helping buyers such as dairies find grain that meets their needs. 

“The very first thing we want farmers to know is that not all corn is created equal, and there are discriminating end users who are willing to pay extra value for an attribute-driven market,” says Thompson. 

Under the traditional approach to buying and selling corn, every farmer’s corn is mixed together for a blend of No. 2 corn, making it impossible for farmers to profit from a higher-quality product or for buyers to trace the source of their grain. 

Established in 2017, AEG spent the first several years building relationships with growers. Today, it works with 65 producers representing access to 30 million bushels of corn and interacts with 11 end users.

The Benefit of Attribute Buying

Corn from certified producers is tested primarily for starch, oil, and protein levels, and then the company helps farmers market their grain based on these attributes through AEG’s online exchange called Dashboard Plus+.