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Articles by Farm Bill Negotiations
Cleveland On Cotton: 80 Cents Possible?
Cotton prices caught a break this week from what many called a neutral world supply demand report. The declining volume of world cotton stocks was the highlight of USDA’s October report and rode the wave nearly 200 points higher as it pressured the 79-cent level before settling the week at 78.37.
Arkansas Rice: Severe Stem Rot Hit Some Fields in 2018
Rice stem infected with stem rot and a late tiller not showing infection. Photo: University of Arkansas Several low yielding rice fields recently have been identified as having stem rot. In the past few years I have not observed much stem rot, but some of the cases this year have been particularly severe. If you have low-yielding fields and are uncertain of the cause, it may be useful to evaluate the stubble residue left in the field to see if stem rot was present in the field.
USDA Issues $4.8 Bln in Farm Safety Net, Conservation Payments
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced that the United State Department of Agriculture continues to invest in rural America with more than $4.8 billion in payments being made, starting this month, to agricultural producers through the Farm Service Agency’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Conservation Reserve (CRP) programs.
North Carolina Sweet Potatoes: Impacts of Guava Root Knot Nematode Quarantine
Large knots and bumps on a sweet potato are an indication of an infestation by guava root-knot nematodes. Photo: Charlie Overstreet/LSU AgCenter On Friday, October 5, 2018, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released a press statement outlining a quarantine for the guava root knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii).
Weekly Cotton Market Review - USDA
2017 Hurricane Harvey in Texas: Round modules hanging on at ravaged yard at Bayside Gin in Texas. Average spot quotations were 59 points higher than the previous week, according to the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service’s Cotton and Tobacco Program. Quotations for the base quality of cotton (color 41, leaf 4, staple 34, mike 35-36 and 43-49, strength 27.0-28.9, and uniformity 81.0-81.9) in the seven designated markets averaged 73.25 cents per pound for the week ending Thursday, October 11, 2018.
Mississippi Sweet Potatoes: Harvest Progresses, Yields ‘Fair’
Mississippi sweet potato fields that missed needed rains in June and July are experiencing favorable harvest conditions in October. Jamie Earp, president of the Mississippi Sweet Potato Council, said yields are “fair, at best” at the halfway point in the 2018 harvest season. “We just didn’t get any rains when we needed them this summer,” he said.
USDA: Peanut Price Highlights
Peanut prices received by farmers for all farmer stock peanuts averaged 21.2 cents per pound for the week ending October 6, down 0.7 cent from the previous week. Marketings of all farmer stock peanuts for the week ending October 6 totaled 40.8 million pounds, down 217 million pounds from the previous week. Runner-type peanut prices averaged 20.8 cents per pound for the week ending October 6, down 0.6 cent from the previous week.
Georgia Cotton: Start Documenting Hurricane Losses Now
On the afternoon of October 10 and into the early hours of October 11, Hurricane Michael wreaked havoc on southwest and Georgia and parts of east Georgia, taking an exceptional toll on the state’s agricultural economy – especially the cotton crop. Producers are reporting losses from 25% to 100%, depending on location, as well as structural and equipment losses and damage.
Global Markets: Soybeans - Continued U.S.-China Tension Affecting Trade
As of the October 4 U.S. Exports Sales, U.S. soybean outstanding sales are below last year owing to fewer sales to China, which are currently 85 percent below last season. Anemic weekly sales and significantly lower outstanding sales indicate that there is not much interest in purchasing U.S. soybeans by China, primarily due to its decision to include soybeans on the list of key U.S. commodities that are subject to retaliatory tariffs.
Global Markets: Rice - Brazil Reasserts Role as Top South American Exporter
Brazil is the top Western Hemisphere rice producer and consumer. It is also a significant import market, and in fact a net importer as recently as 2016 and 2017. However, this year with more ample supplies, Brazil is reverting to its position as not only a net exporter but also as the top South American supplier to the global market. Brazil is forecast to export 1 million tons (milled basis) in 2018, declining to 850,000 tons in 2019 on rising competition from Paraguay, Guyana, and Argentina.
Global Markets: Wheat - Robust Russian Exports, in Spite of Smaller Crop
Russia is off to a fast start in 2018/19 with exports to date already 30 percent more in the first 3 months than last year. Russian wheat exports are forecast at 35.0 million tons based on adequate supplies and strong global demand. Despite having lower production compared to last year’s record-setting crop, Russia’s wheat crop is still the third largest on record. Additionally, Russia has sufficient carryover supplies, resulting in the most competitively priced wheat for export.
Global Markets: Coarse Grains - U.S. Corn Exports Forecast to Tie Record
Strong foreign demand, a continued lack of competition, and abundant supplies are expected to brighten export prospects well into 2018/19 (Oct-Sep). U.S. exports are currently forecast at 62.5 million tons, tying the record from 2017/18. Early season sales of new-crop corn have been robust. As of the end of September, sales were up sharply from a year ago, and now represent nearly a quarter of the current forecast.
Iowa Harvest: How to Minimize Soil Compaction
Rain events during September and October have created challenging conditions not only for timely harvest of corn and soybean crops but also for the impact harvest will have on the soil. These wet conditions coupled with a drop in air temperature will slow harvest operations. Soils are too wet for traffic from heavy equipment, making them susceptible to compaction during harvest operations.
Global Markets: Cotton - Mali, Burkina Faso Drive Record West Africa Exports
West Africa (WA) exports for 2018/19 are projected to surpass last year’s record, driven by record production. Mali and Burkina Faso are the largest producers and are forecast to have record crops amid expanding area. West Africa accounts for more than three-fourths of Africa’s cotton exports. Nearly all of WA cotton is exported, as mills are sparse within the region, signifying the pivotal role that foreign demand plays for WA producers and merchants.
Virginia Cotton: Low Pressure Coastal System
Virginia Cotton: Low Pressure Coastal System Posted on October 11, 2018 By Johnny Parker, Commonwealth Gin Rainfall amounts have been lowered by the updated forecast. The highest numbers I am seeing is around 3.5 inches and the overall expectation is around 2″ to 3″. This whole thing could be over soon after midnight. Gusty wind justifies putting some water jugs on the sides of the module covers which should take care of loosing some module tops in modules out in the open.
Moving Grain: Flooding Stops Barge Traffic; Railroad Congestion at Mexican Border
Heavy rains and severe storms in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin, from June into October, have resulted in several instances of flooding through the region. As of October 10, the latest round of rain closed six locks on the Upper Mississippi River. The southern-most lock closure is at Lock 22, near Hannibal, MO, which has stopped all export-bound barge shipments originating from points north; including Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and parts of Missouri and Illinois.
World Rough Rice Prices Down from Last Week
The Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation today announced the following prevailing world market prices of milled and rough rice, adjusted for U.S. milling yields and location, and the resulting marketing loan gain (MLG) and loan deficiency payment (LDP) rates applicable to the 2018 crop, which will become effective today at 7:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET).
Diesel, Gasoline Prices Jump Higher
The U.S. average diesel fuel price increased more than 7 cents from last week to $3.39 per gallon on October 8, 2018, 61 cents higher than a year ago. Gulf Coast prices increased nine cents to $3.17 per gallon, Midwest prices rose over seven cents to $3.35 per gallon, East Coast prices increased nearly seven cents to $3.36 per gallon, West Coast prices rose more than six cents to $3.87 per gallon, and Rocky Mountain prices increased over two cents to $3.39 per gallon.
WASDE Cotton: Increased Domestic Production, Reduced Exports
The 2018/19 U.S. cotton supply and demand estimates show higher ending stocks, based on slightly larger production and lower exports relative to last month. Production is raised 81,000 bales, with higher production in Texas and Georgia largely offset by lower production in the Carolinas. Domestic mill use is unchanged from last month, but the export forecast is reduced 200,000 bales to 15.5 million, due to reduced world trade and consumption.
WASDE Rice: U.S. Production Lowered on Reduced Yields
The 2018/19 rice crop is reduced 0.7 million cwt to 218.8 million on lower yields. The average yield forecast is lowered 24 pounds per acre to 7,539 pounds. Decreases are in Texas and California. The long-grain crop is reduced 0.5 million cwt to 159.0 million. Medium- and short-grain production is lowered 0.2 million cwt to 59.8 million. All rice ending stocks are lowered 0.7 million cwt to 44.2 million as no other supply and demand changes are made this month.
WASDE Coarse Grains: Lower Corn Production, Increased Exports, Higher Ending Stocks
This month’s 2018/19 U.S. corn outlook is for lower production, increased exports, reduced feed and residual use and larger ending stocks. Corn production is forecast at 14.778 billion bushels, down 49 million on a reduced yield forecast. Harvested area is virtually unchanged from last month. Corn supplies are forecast record high, as a smaller crop is more than offset by an increase in beginning stocks based on the September 28 Grain Stocks report.
WASDE Wheat: Reduced Domestic Use, Larger Supplies
The outlook for 2018/19 U.S. wheat this month is larger supplies, reduced domestic use, unchanged exports, and higher ending stocks. Wheat production is raised 7 million bushels to 1,884 million from the NASS Small Grains Summary, issued on September 28. Projected imports increased 5 million bushels to 140 million on higher-than-expected imports of spring wheat and Durum in the first quarter (June-August).
WASDE Oilseeds: Higher Domestic Soybean Yields Offset by Reduced Harvest Area
U.S. oilseed production for 2018/19 is projected at 138.4 million tons, down 0.1 million from last month with lower soybean and sunflowerseed production only partly offset with higher canola production. Soybean production is forecast at 4,690 million bushels, down 3.5 million with higher yields offset by lower harvested area. The soybean yield is projected at 53.1 bushels per acre, up 0.3 bushels from the September forecast. Harvested area is reduced 0.6 million acres to 88.3 million.
Midwest Nitrate Escape: Buffer Strips, Control Boxes Are Key, Study Says
In-field installation of a control box with outlets attached to new perforated pipe that serves as a distribution pipe. Photo: Dan Jaynes Spring in America’s heartland is often wet. That makes its soil too soft for planting. One solution to that issue is tile drainage. Growers insert a series of pipes (drain tiles) under their fields, which drains water from the soil into nearby streams and lakes. Many of the existing tile drains were installed over 50 years ago and helped increase yields.
Iowa Corn: Mycotoxins Smartphone App Available
With all eyes now on harvested grain quality and scouting for mycotoxins as a result of ear rot, it’s important that producers and agronomists have access to all the information possible, on whichever medium they prefer to use. An application is available on both Android and iOS that can serve as a guide for naviagating the sometimes confusing world of grain quality.
Georgia Pecans: Preparing for Hurricane Michael Cleanup
In preparation for cleanup following Hurricane Michael, I spoke with Tas Smith, state director of FSA for Georgia regarding the steps growers need to take in preparation for potential ECP funds. Unfortunately, most growers became very familiar with this process last year following Irma. The normal protocol is for growers to start cleanup only after they have contacted their local FSA office and FSA staff has visited the orchard to document damage.
Texas: Soil Health - 5 Common Misconceptions
This week I was in Mitchell County, Texas to talk about cover cropping (see companion article in this month’s RCNL). As cover cropping has become a national topic of interest in agriculture, sometimes I think the interest and enthusiasm gets carried away with some statements about soil and our farming practices that need some perspective. This could very well be purely unintentional.
Minnesota Soybeans: Is It Feasible to Lower My Soil pH?
There are a lot of ideas out there on how to manage pH of soil to optimize plant growth. One major issue with high pH soils is iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) in soybean. Soybean growers have been looking for the magic bullet for managing IDC and while there are options out there, nothing is long term. Some wonder if soil acidification to lower pH would help solve IDC. In most Minnesota soils, which are poorly buffered, adding nitrogen fertilizers over time will acidify soils.
Texas Field Reports: Cattle Prices Rise Amid Improving Hay, Forage Conditions
Cattle prices have been rising following widespread rains and improved winter grazing prospects, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. Dr. David Anderson, AgriLife Extension livestock marketing economist, College Station, said calf prices have risen in recent weeks due to improving pasture and rangeland conditions and prospects for winter grazing. Local auction prices have been steadily creeping upward over the last six weeks. “Rain has helped local prices,” he said.
Biofuels: Trump Opens Door to Increased Ethanol Use
On Tuesday, Bloomberg writers Jennifer A. Dlouhy and Mario Parker reported that, “President Donald Trump is moving to clamp down on a scandal-plagued $2.25 billion market in biofuel compliance credits, embracing reforms that could block Wall Street banks from trading them.
Minnesota: Free Farm Financial Counseling Available
Minnesota: Free Farm Financial Counseling Available Posted on October 10, 2018 By Phyllis Bongard, University of Minnesota Extension IPM Specialist One-to-one financial counseling for Minnesota farmers experiencing serious financial distress is available from University of Minnesota Extension. A team of farm financial analysts has been pulled together to provide free and confidential counseling sessions to help farmers explore options in this difficult agricultural climate.
Illinois: Making 2019 Cash Rental Decisions
This article presents information useful in determining appropriate levels of 2019 cash rents including average cash rents for the state of Illinois, average cash rents for counties, and average cash rents for differing Productivity Indexes. Also presented are expected 2019 cash rents on professionally managed farmland. Increases in non-land costs and lower soybean prices will put considerable downward pressures on 2019 cash rents.
Cotton: No Marketing Quota, Acreage Allotments for 2019 - USDA
The USDA today announced that no marketing quota and no acreage allotments will be in effect for the 2019 upland cotton crop. The Agricultural Act of 2014 authorized commodity programs for the 2014 through 2018 crop years. Unless superseded by new legislation, any actions taken by USDA pertaining to the 2019 upland cotton crop must be done in accordance with the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended (the 1938 Act), and the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended.
U.S. Rice Stories: Tell Yours - Win a College Scholarship, Deadline Oct. 31
Three minutes of innovative storytelling about U.S.-grown rice is all it takes to earn money for college! If you’re a high school graduating student from Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, or Texas, submit a three-minute video that creates awareness and promotes U.S.-grown rice, September National Rice Month, and the importance of rice to your state, for a chance to win this year’s National Rice Month Scholarship.
Soybean Cyst Nematode: Changing Up SCN-resistant Varieties is Key - DTN
The next time you head to the fields to check if they are harvest-ready, consider bringing a soil probe along to test for soybean cyst nematode (SCN). The SCN Coalition, which first launched in 1997, is urging growers to put SCN back on their priority list — and the first step is testing your soils.
Texas: Fall Cover Cropping - Is It for You? What You Should Know.
Producers across Texas are becoming more familiar with the concepts of cover cropping. More farmers are asking about it, and some are trying cover cropping in some form. Cover cropping across the U.S. and even in Texas takes many forms (Fig. 1). In the Texas South Plains (general Lubbock region) we have over 1 million acres of cover cropping annually—the use of terminated rye or wheat to protect seedling cotton, mostly on irrigated (Fig. 2).
Soybeans: Export Variables, Storage Issues, Trade Policy Outlook
Today’s update looks briefly at recent reports that discuss variables associated with U.S. soybean exports. In addition, news items that highlight concerns about crop storage issues, and the trade policy outlook, are also noted.
Soggy Harvest Delays Lead Some Farmers to Seed Shop for 2019 - DTN
Even as wet weather stalls the 2018 corn and soybean harvest in parts of the Midwest, many farmers have their eyes on 2019 seed selection. “It does seem early to be picking out seed, but the seed companies offer some good discounts if you book now,” explained Justin Honebrink, a farmer facing a stalled soybean harvest in central Minnesota. The weather promises to give him plenty of time to mull seed choices this week.
Tennessee Field Reports: Farmers Return to Fields
Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending October 7, 2018. Jeff Via, Fayette County The farmers in Fayette County had a good week of harvest for the most part. Earlier in the week, moisture was still high until mid-day. Yields are good. Jeff Lannom, Weakley County A very hot, but also very productive week for producers. Corn and soybean harvest progress took big leaps this week.
Alabama Field Reports: Cotton, Peanut Harvest Picks Up
Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending October 7, 2018. Gina Harris, Blount County Most peanuts were dug this week; cotton is being harvested and looks good. Soybeans are being harvested. Corn harvest is almost complete, and many are cutting hay for the last time. Beds were prepared for strawberry plantings. Dry conditions all week. Jeffrey Smith, Elmore County A dry week with much activity in the field. Cotton harvest rolling, soybean harvest picking, and peanuts dug.
Virginia Field Reports: Harvest Proceeds Despite Wet Soils
Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending October 7, 2018. REPORTER COMMENTS BY COUNTY – Comments are based on remarks made by extension agents, farmers, commodity specialists, and other knowledgeable individuals. ROCKINGHAM (Doug Horn) A hot week with only a few scattered showers. Corn harvest was in full swing even though some fields were rutted in the process. Several reports of corn ear rots, mold, and sprouting in the ears.
Mississippi Field Reports: Storms Cause Quality Issues in Cotton, Soybeans
Cotton dislodged from bolls by heavy rains can still be harvested unless it is washed to the ground. Photo: Kat Lawrence, Mississippi State University Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending October 7, 2018. Dr. Bill Burdine, Union County “Favorable weather allowed harvest to resume mid-week. Growers struggle with harvest aid decisions between the storm systems.
Arkansas Field Reports: Harvest Speeds Along
Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending October 7, 2018. Stewart Runsick, Clay County “Rice harvest was nearing completion. Soybean harvest was in full swing. Corn harvest is behind, and some farmers have decided to harvest rice and leave corn in the field.” Kevin Lawson, Faulkner County “Several fields had their last cuttings of hay last week. Rice and soybean harvest was in full swing as the weather finally gave us a break.
Louisiana Field Reports: Wet Conditions Hurt Soybean Quality
Crop Progress and Conditions for the Week Ending October 7, 2018. Todd Fontenot, Evangeline Parish “Soybean damage continued to increase with many acres being left in the field.” Andrew Granger, Vermillion Parish “Rains delayed hay and soybean harvest. Significant damage to ripe soybeans was reported. Cane planting has also been slowed but most farmers are done. Cane harvest progressed in muddy conditions.” Jeremy Hebert, Acadia Parish “A somewhat drier week allowed more soybeans to be harvested.
South Carolina Field Reports: Mostly Good Harvest Weather
Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending October 7, 2018. Matthew Wannamaker, Lexington County Cotton and peanut harvest continued but was slowed due to rain showers scattered throughout the county. In anticipation of rainfall arriving from Hurricane Michael, producers rushed to harvest peanuts that were already dug. Many producers reported that they were near completing their final hay cuttings for the 2018 crop year in preparation for the winter months.
Arkansas Rice: Cultivar Responses to Major Diseases
Field history information is critical to matching rice cultivars with the right fields. For instance, planting a blast-susceptible cultivar in historically blast-prone fields is not advisable. Usually hybrids, and varieties such as CL172 and CL153, have better packages for blast resistance.
Georgia Field Reports: Dry Conditions Aid Harvest
Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending October 7, 2018. Wade Hutcheson, Walker County High temperatures most every day. Dry conditions favored more hay making along with corn and soybean harvesting. Adam Speir, Madison County Most beans and corn have been harvested. Abnormally high temperatures with dry conditions have everyone waiting on potential rain before most winter annual plantings. Calving is in full swing. Jeff Cook, Taylor County Dry conditions persist.
North Carolina Field Reports: Salvaging Fields from Florence
Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending October 7, 2018. Mike Carroll – Carteret County Extension Attempting to salvage corn with poor to fair results. Evaluation of feasible cotton harvest difficult due to excessive lint loss and tangled stalks. Mike Carroll – Craven County Extension Field work is limited to attempts to salvage corn, applying defoliant materials to cotton, digging peanuts and cleaning field/farm roads of debris.
Georgia Peanuts: Harvest Injury from Burrower Bugs, Rootworms
Very few things are as frustrating as delivering 5000+ pound per acre peanuts to the buying point and having them grade “Seg 2” because of insect injury, and when it happens there are usually a lot of questions. What caused it? Why did it happen? When did it happen? Could we have done something to prevent it? What do we do next year? All of these are excellent questions, but unfortunately sometimes the answers are not very satisfying.
Georgia: Preparing for Hurricane Michael
Because of the speed of the storm and our relatively dry conditions, flooding rain is not going to be the primary impact, although some flooding in low-lying areas could occur and some places may get up to six inches. The biggest impact is going to be from winds that could be over 75 mph, causing a lot of damage to crops, trees, and power lines. Isolated tornadoes could also occur.
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