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Articles by Ag Barometer
Ohio Corn: What’s Causing “Barbell” Ears?
Last week, I received reports of several ear oddities showing up in corn fields including the following: Shortened husk leaves with normal ears protruding beyond the husks Most corn fields have a few ears with exposed tips. In extreme situations, a high proportion of ears outgrow husks by 1/3 to 1/2.
Farm Policy: Sanders’ Ag And Rural Proposals - A Snapshot
U.S. Capitol building - Washington D.C. Photo: Licensed image. In an era of low agricultural commodity prices plus the history of the Democratic Party and the approach to agricultural policy that it developed during the Great Depression, it should come as no surprise that two of the leading candidates for the Democratic nomination for President have come out in favor of supply management programs for agriculture.
Iowa Corn: Sampling for the End-of-Season Stalk Nitrate Test
©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography Sampling corn stalks this fall will likely be later than normal due to the delayed planting in many Iowa cornfields. The overall suggestion is to wait until crop maturity, and sample within 1-3 weeks after kernel black layer. This does not work well for silage corn, so the suggestion is to collect stalk samples at the time of silage harvest or within 24 hours after harvest (as long as no rain between harvest and sampling).
Tobacco: Flue-Cured Auctions Start Slowly
The beginning of flue-cured auctions was a bit anticlimactic, thanks to limited offerings from farmers. At the Old Belt Tobacco auction in Rural Hall, N.C., Owner Dennis White had to delay his first sale from August 27 to September 3 because he didn’t have enough volume to justify opening. But there is plenty on his floor now, and he is looking forward to next Tuesday’s sale. “This is the best floor I have ever seen.
Iowa: Good News, Bad News From Latest Palmer Pigweed Tour
Iowa: Good News, Bad News From Latest Palmer Pigweed Tour September 4, 2019 By Bob Hartzle, Extension Weed Specialist, Iowa State University One of the disappointing finds was the discovery of Palmer amaranth along the road in Mills County.
Reduced Stands? Don’t Ignore Planter Downforce Settings
What’s the difference between setting planter depth and setting planter downforce? Savings – time, seed and money. Farmers can reduce plant stands next season by correcting settings and using downforce on their planters, according to Wes Porter, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension irrigation specialist and precision agriculture expert. Downforce is the pressure farmers apply to their row unit to ensure that it’s maintaining the depth at which the planter is set.
DTN Grain Open: Grains Bounce as Trade Waiting Game Continues
Photo credit: United Soybean Board December corn is up 1 1/2 cents per bushel, November soybeans are up 4 1/2 cents, and December K.C. wheat is up 4 cents. 6:00 a.m. CME Globex: December corn is up 1 1/2 cents per bushel, November soybeans are up 4 1/2 cents, and December K.C. wheat is up 4 cents. CME Globex Recap: Equity markets are higher around the globe, recovering from Tuesday’s losses as concerns over trade abate slightly.
Illinois Corn: Tar Spot Seems Likely
Symptoms of corn tar spot on leaves during harvest. Photo: Jeff Stuck of Marcellus, Michigan. The cooler temperatures and rains that have moved through the Northern part of Illinois the past 10-14 days have been favorable for the development of tar spot on corn. Although we have seen some elevated levels of this disease in the Northwest part of the state near Stark County, most observations have been low.
South Carolina: Cotton Pests Mostly Finished But Soy Insects Need Attention
Row-Crop Field Day – Rescheduled Because of the threat of Hurricane Dorian moving up the coast and its predicted location off the coast of South Carolina on Wednesday/Thursday, we have decided to reschedule the Row-Crop Field Day at Edisto REC scheduled for September 5. The new date will be a week later on September 12. Peanuts will be covered in the AM tour, and all other crops (cotton, soybean, etc.) will be covered in the PM tour. Pesticide license and CCA credits will be offered.
Mississippi Field Reports: After Rains, Better Harvest Weather
On-farm grain bin. ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography Comments from Cooperative Extension Service County Agents “Despite the late start, crops continue to progress nicely. Prentiss County continued to receive meaningful rainfall into the early week, finally clearing off mid-week with milder temperatures and lower humidity.” — Skip Glidewell, Prentiss County “Hot and dry conditions for corn harvest.
Louisiana Field Reports: Soybean Harvest Moving Ahead In Southern Parishes
Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents “Continued rainfalls through the beginning of last week slowed fieldwork. Soybean harvest and sugarcane planting continued as fields dried. The majority of the hay producers made their second cutting. Reports on pecan crop looked to be promising, but continued rainfall increases the threat of diseases.” – Mark Carriere, Point Coupee Parish “Finally ,several days of dry weather were strung together and producers took full advantage.
Tennessee Field Reports: Limited Corn Harvest Starts
Producers who have dryer capabilities started harvesting corn last week, with good yields reported. Additionally, tobacco harvest is underway, as is hemp harvest. Hay baling was the predominant activity last week. Other field activities included spraying for insects. Hard rains hit some areas of the state but only halted field activities temporarily. There were 6.0 days suitable for field work.
Arkansas Field Reports: Corn And Rice Harvest Gain Momentum
Rice harvest. ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography “A much needed rain helped green up pastures and hay fields throughout most of the county. Aphids have caused heavy damage to Johnson grass fields. No armyworm infestations have been reported thus far.” – Terrell Davis, Pike County “Insect pressure is still below thresholds. Rice and corn harvest began last week and should really get going next week. Preliminary numbers look good.
Georgia Field Reports: Minimal Peanut Harvest Starts, More Cotton Opening
Photo: Alabama Cooperative Extension Vineyard harvesting was well underway. Corn for silage was being harvested. Corn for grain looked good. Many producers began their last hay cutting, but reported issues with foxtail taking over. — Nathan Eason, White County Much needed scattered rainfall was received in many places. However, with high temperatures in the forecast, it will not take long for the moisture to disappear. Corn harvesting was underway for many growers.
Alabama Field Reports: Cotton Harvest Starts, Peanut Digging Nears
The week began with a much-needed soaking rain that halted corn harvest for four days. Two to five inches of rain fell across the county. Reported corn yields remain excellent. Other activities included pasture mowing, weed management, and hay production. – Henry Dorough, Talladega County Cotton defoliation began this week; corn harvest in the final stages. – Jeffrey Smith, Tallapoosa County Some defoliation and harvesting of cotton has occurred. A few peanuts have been harvested.
South Carolina Field Reports: Looming Hurricane Influencing Harvest Decisions
County Comments Final corn harvest continued ahead of Hurricane Dorian fears. Small acreage of Virginia peanuts dug based both on maturity and hurricane rain potential. Farmers taking a wait and see attitude this week on peanut digging. Cotton defoliation not happening yet but should start after the storm fears subside. — Charles Davis, Calhoun County A drier week allowed for some corn harvest. Yields should be average. Tobacco harvest is winding down.
Virginia Field Reports: Hurricane Brings Some Urgency
Comments are based on remarks made by extension agents, farmers, commodity specialists and other knowledgeable individuals. NORTHERN ROCKINGHAM (Doug Horn) Corn silage harvest progressing. Manure being spread on harvested fields. LOUDOUN (Jim Hilleary) Rain and temperatures were conducive to production in agriculture. The rain, although isolated, has been adequate for most producers.
Rosy Farm Income Projections - Explanations?
Rosey Farm Income Projections – Explanations? The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) indicated on Friday that, “Net farm income, a broad measure of profits, is forecast to increase $4.0 billion (4.8 percent) from 2018 to $88.0 billion in 2019.
Ag Barometer: Farmer Sentiment Declines Sharply As Commodity Markets Weaken
Grain bin view of corn field. ©Debra L Ferguson The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer weakened significantly in August to a reading of 124, down 29 points from July. The barometer is based on a mid-month survey of 400 agricultural producers across the U.S. and was conducted between August 12 and August 20, 2019, with nearly all of the responses collected following USDA’s release of the August 12 Crop Production report.
Georgia Weeds: 6 Possible Reasons for Failed Grass Control
Georgia Weeds: 6 Possible Reasons for Failed Grass Control Posted on August 7, 2018 By Eric Prostko, University of Georgia Weed Specialist Getting plenty of calls about perceived reductions in grass control after applications of ACC-ase inhibiting herbicides, such as Select (clethodim) or Poast (sethoxydim), have been applied. Some folks first reaction to this “lack” of control is that we suddenly have widespread ACC-ase resistance.
Ohio Wheat: Tillage After Harvest - A Good Idea?
After winter wheat harvest, it’s not an uncommon sight in Ohio to see producers tilling their fields to incorporate wheat residue. These fields are often left fallow until the following spring before there are crops planted again. But is this a good idea? Of course, the answer will depend on the goals of using tillage, but from a soil conservation perspective the answer is nearly always ‘no’.
Ohio: Western Bean Cutworm Flight Past Its Peak
Ohio: Western Bean Cutworm Flight Past Its Peak Posted on August 7, 2018 From Ohio State University Extension Western bean cutworm adult. Photo: Ohio State University Western bean cutworm (WBC) adult moth catches decreased across monitoring counties in Ohio. For week ending August 4, 23 counties monitored 73 traps (Figure 1). Overall, there was a statewide average of 5.6 moths (406 total captured). This is a decrease from an average of 15 moths per trap (1090 total captured) the previous week.
DTN Cotton Close: Lower on Heavy Volume
ICE cotton futures closed moderately lower in definitive technical trade. Earlier in the session, December cotton rallied just enough to violate its recent high of 8911, before collapsing some two hundred points. The motivator for such a fall revolved around the potential for rain this weekend across West Texas. As of Tuesday, chances for precipitation over Saturday, Sunday and Monday have been hiked to 60% or better.
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