What type of corn is primarily grown in the US?

The primary type of corn grown in the United States is dent corn. This variety, often identified by its distinctive dent on the crown of the kernels when they dry, is primarily cultivated for animal feed, industrial use, and as a key ingredient in food production. Dent corn is the most widely planted corn type in the U.S. due to its high yield potential and adaptability to various growing conditions.

Its kernels contain a balanced composition of starch, which makes dent corn particularly valuable for processing into products like corn syrup and ethanol. This corn is also instrumental in the production of livestock feed. The extensive use of dent corn across various industries underscores its significance in American agriculture. Other varieties like sweet corn, flint corn, and pixie corn serve more niche markets and purposes, contributing less to the overall corn production in the country.