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Articles by Steve Johnson
Survey of Winneshiek County mills and water-powered sites
The Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission (WCHPC) of Decorah, Iowa, contracted Bear Creek Archeology, Inc. (BCA) of Cresco to conduct a two-year reconnaissance survey of historic mill and water-powered sites within Winneshiek County. Seventy-one mills were surveyed with a companion booklet publication of 26 selected sites. Mills were a product of the needs of early pioneer settlers for survival and played an essential part in the westward expansion and growth of the country.
Letter to the editor: Who's suing who?
The answer to this simple question seems elusive when conversation of the lawsuit between Mille Lacs County and the Mille Lacs Band takes place. One side (Mille Lacs County) often neglects to mention it and the other side (Mille Lacs Band) probably appreciates that. The Mille Lacs Band is suing Mille Lacs County and as of this letter Mille Lacs County has been vigorously defending itself from mentioned lawsuit.
ARC, PLC sign-up deadline approaches, questions loom
There are a couple of interactions of the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs and crop insurance. Most immediate is the March 15 deadline for both. The Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs were authorized by the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills.
Time to make 2021 ARC, PLC decisions
Rod Swoboda DON’T WAIT: Rather than waiting until the March 15 deadline, farmers should work with FSA to make election and enrollment decisions early. Evaluate your farm program decisions and contact your local FSA office with questions. Steve Johnson | Dec 11, 2020 Enrollment for the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage program for the 2021 crop year is underway at your local Farm Service Agency office.
Crop insurance harvest prices go higher
Rod Swoboda REPORT PRODUCTION: Provide your actual crop production numbers to your crop insurance agent as soon as you’ve completed harvest. Final prices for 2020 insured crops are above the spring-projected prices. Steve Johnson | Nov 05, 2020 The final harvest crop insurance prices for the 2020 crops are $3.99 per bushel for corn and $10.55 per bushel for soybeans, respectively.
Farm-related payments, deadlines loom
Thousands of Iowa farmers are receiving millions of dollars in payments from the USDA Farm Service Agency in October. These include funds from the Conservation Reserve Program, 2019 Agricultural Loss Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs, and the new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) payments. A typical 2019 PLC payment for corn is roughly $16 per corn base acre, depending on the old PLC yield on that farm.
Perfect storms alter price outlook
2020 will be remembered for the storm of the coronavirus and the global pandemic that followed. Supply chains were disrupted, and prices plummeted with large demand uncertainty. That followed with an early planting season in much of the Corn Belt, but seasonal new-crop prices rallied into early July. Then came drought and the derecho across much of Iowa. Prices bottomed in early August before the extent of production loss was known.
Hard times don't translate into price rallies
Drought, wind and heat have reduced the size of Iowa crops from their Aug. 1 lofty levels. However, much of the Corn Belt is expected to have above-average crop yields that will make up for Iowa’s production shortfall. Pricing both old-and new-crop bushels will continue to add stress and anxiety to an already challenging crop year. USDA’s August crop production report, released Aug. 12, projected a national average corn yield of 181.1 bushels per acre and soybeans at 53.3 bushels per acre.
How to project 2019 ARC-PLC payments
In October, most of Iowa’s farmers will be receiving 2019 Price Loss Coverage payments on their corn base acres. Also, in a few counties, Agricultural Risk Coverage County payments were triggered. However, PLC payments on soybean base acres are not expected. Statewide, it is estimated that $250 million in total will be paid out for both ARC-CO and PLC programs. These payments are for the 2019 crop and can only be projected at this time.
Consider a flexible cash lease for 2021
Many tenant operators will likely struggle coming up with a positive cash flow for cash-rented land in 2021. The impact of the coronavirus leaves demand uncertain, as reflected in lower crop futures prices being offered. You can expect U.S. ending stocks for both corn and soybeans to remain adequate and the global economy to slowly recover from the pandemic. Regardless, most all of Iowa’s 23.4 million tillable acres will be planted to corn and soybeans next year.
Create a revenue-based corn marketing plan
Demand uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic will make marketing your 2020 crops challenging. Unfortunately, most farmers used futures price objectives to drive their old- and new-crop marketing plans and may not have considered including a time objective. The limitation of such a plan this year could have been the need to trigger new-crop sales when December corn futures trade from roughly $3.50 to $3.70 per bushel.
Timing the spring crop price rallies
By Steve Johnson - Columnist , Farm News The spring months are typically when both corn and soybean futures prices peak for the spring and summer months. Prices then typically drift lower and put in their harvest lows in September or October. The timing is because nearly 85% of the world's feed grains and 50% of the oilseed crops are produced in the northern hemisphere. Spring is when the greatest production uncertainty typically takes place.
How to time spring crop price rallies
Spring is typically when both corn and soybean futures prices peak for the spring and summer months. Prices then usually drift lower and put in their harvest lows in September or October. The timing is because nearly 85% of the world’s feed grains and 50% of the oilseed crops are produced in the Northern Hemisphere. Spring is when the most considerable production uncertainty typically takes place.
FSA help with acreage reports takes social-distance approach
The ongoing COVID-19 situation has changed the way your local Farm Service Agency office will be conducting business with producers this spring. Local FSA offices are using alternative methods to provide service and ensure compliance with FSA provisions. Appointments can be made by phone, mail or email.
You can still expect crop futures price rallies
The USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report released May 4 showed Iowa farmers had planted 39% of this year’s expected corn crop during the week ending May 3. It showed 78% of Iowa’s expected corn acreage was already planted, compared to a five-year average of 46% for that date. Farmers planted more than one-third of the state’s 2020 soybean crop during the week ending May 3. A total of 46% of the soybeans were in the ground, two weeks ahead of the five-year-average Iowa soybean planting pace.
Expect changes when interacting with local FSA offices
By Steve Johnson - Columnist , Farm News Once producers have completed planting their spring crops, they report these planted acres to their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Filing an accurate and timely report for all crops and land uses, including prevented plantings and failed acreage, is an essential part of determining your eligibility for critical programs, including crop insurance, price support, disaster relief, and conservation programs.
Crop marketing: Weathering storm of pandemic, oil prices
The COVID-19 pandemic collapsed portions of the U.S. economy this spring and impacted both crop and livestock markets via demand uncertainty, thus lowering prices. And the dispute between Saudi Arabia and Russia sent crude oil prices to their lowest levels in more than 20 years, resulting in negative profit margins for ethanol plants that slowed or shuttered nearly 50% of the nation’s production. Since mid-January, July corn and soybean futures prices declined by roughly 18% and 16%, respectively.
Initial, delayed and prevented planting decisions
By Steve Johnson - Columnist , Farm News The cool, wet early spring weather conditions might mean some corn and soybean fields will be planted later than normal. Producers might be wondering what options they have under their multi-peril crop insurance coverage policy. Insured acres that have already been planted but need to be replanted, may qualify for a special replanting insurance payment.
Time to make delayed and prevented planting decisions
Farm Progress CROP INSURANCE: To qualify for replant coverage, acres need to be planted after the initial planting dates. In Iowa, that’s April 11 for corn and April 21 for soybeans. Keep in mind crop insurance planting dates for corn and soybeans to maintain coverage in 2020. Steve Johnson | Apr 09, 2020 The cool, wet early-spring weather might mean some corn and soybean fields will be planted later than usual.
Get aggressive with new crop sales
Farm Progress BE READY: Marketing is going to be the most important decision that crop producers make in the next six months. Learn how to set 2020 new crop corn and soybean price objectives. Steve Johnson | Mar 10, 2020 The prospects for large 2020 U.S. planted corn and soybean acres are strong after a record 19.61 million acres of prevented planting in 2019.
Considerations for adding SCO crop insurance
By Steve Johnson - Columnist , Farm News The decision to purchase Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) crop insurance in 2020 must be confirmed with your crop insurance agent on or before March 15, 2020. This deadline for making crop insurance changes for spring planted crops now becomes the same deadline for electing and enrolling annually in the ARC/PLC program at your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.
Should you add SCO crop insurance?
AN OPTION: Those who typically buy Revenue Protection at high coverage levels will likely find a lower premium by adding SCO, but they should consider a couple of cautions. Supplemental Coverage Option adds county-based coverage to individual farm crop insurance plans. Steve Johnson | Jan 24, 2020 The decision to purchase the Supplemental Coverage Option crop insurance in 2020 must be confirmed with your crop insurance agent on or before March 15.
ARC/PLC decision deadlines loom
By Steve Johnson - Columnist , Farm News Iowa producers on row crop farms have until March 15 to make a 2-year election and then enroll by commodity crop and Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm number. There really is no reason to delay, as no ARC/PLC payments are expected for the 2019 crops. Besides, many FSA offices could be swamped by mid-February. Producers should start by understanding the importance of the effective reference prices of $3.70 per bushel for corn and $8.40 per bushel for soybeans.
ARC, PLC decision deadline looms
SIGN UP NOW: Don’t wait until the March 15 deadline to visit your county FSA office to elect and enroll in USDA farm program for 2019 and 2020 crops. ISU online tools can help you choose the USDA program option best suited for your farming operation. Steve Johnson | Jan 23, 2020 The clock is ticking for producers on Iowa’s row crop farms to make a two-year election and then enroll by commodity crop and Farm Service Agency farm number.
Trade agreements bring 2020 optimism
BIG DEAL: Since the trade war began in July 2018, U.S. farmers have been hit hard by China’s tariffs on soybeans, pork, corn and other ag products. The reduced export demand has depressed already low prices. Recent signs of progress on USMCA and China trade agreements stir hope for boosting U.S. ag exports. Steve Johnson | Dec 23, 2019 The potential demand for U.S. exports improved dramatically with the announcements in mid-December of two trade agreements.
Crop insurance prices and harvest reminders
MANAGING RISK: Due to lower crop prices, lower yields and record-high prevented plantings, USDA projects federal crop insurance indemnities in 2019 to be the highest since the drought-impacted years of 2012 and 2013. Keep in touch with your crop insurance agent as harvest wraps up and production evidence is submitted.
Farm bill meetings start in November across Iowa
Plan to attend one of the nearly 70 farm bill meetings held in November and December across Iowa. A primary topic of discussion will be the two-year election and enrollment in the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs. While the deadline to sign up for these programs isn’t until March 15, producers will want to gather data and learn to use the ISU Extension ARC-PLC payment analyzer.
ARC, PLC program changes, deadlines and decisions
The USDA Farm Service Agency has opened the enrollment period for its Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for 2019 crops. These are continuations of similar programs created in the 2014 Farm Bill, with slight modifications. While final rules and regulations aren’t available publicly, state and county FSA staffs have received training, and forms are being developed. Producers will have until March 15 to make a two-year election for either ARC or PLC.
MFP payments help, but crop marketing still critical
SCHEDULE: USDA’s 2019 “trade aid” payments are expected to be made in three parts, with the first and largest payment expected in mid- to late August. Even with the Market Facilitation Program, financial success depends on your marketing strategies. Steve Johnson | Aug 16, 2019 Farmers are headed to their local Farm Service Agency in August to sign up for the new Market Facilitation Program. Those payments will be made on 2019 planted corn and soybean acres on a farm, not to exceed 2018 plantings.
Plan now for harvest
ARE YOU READY? Get grain dryers checked now, especially if you haven’t spent time or money on maintenance the last few years. Put your plans together for harvesting and handling wet grain this fall. Steve Johnson | Jul 30, 2019 With one of the wettest springs on record, timely harvest of this year’s crops could prove challenging. Start your preparation early, even though much of the Corn Belt harvest will be slightly later than normal.
Capturing higher corn futures prices
The month of May tends to be critical not only for planting corn, but also for marketing both old- and new-crop bushels. This is the time frame when the greatest uncertainty for corn production in the world occurs. That is because nearly 85% of the global feed grains are produced in the Northern Hemisphere. When May rolls around, and late, wet corn planting conditions occur, speculative investors often called funds must “short-cover” their previous “long futures” positions.
How late corn planting can impact yield, price
The calendar may say it’s the month of May, but it might not feel like it. Corn planting progress across Iowa for the week ended April 28 was 21% complete and only 15% nationwide. That compared to a five-year average of 26% for Iowa and 27% for the U.S., respectively. Using data since 1987, the corn-planting pace for the end of April would rank 2019 tied with 2018 as the sixth-slowest corn planting pace for the end of April.
Prevented planting FAQs
IF YOU CAN’T PLANT: Crop insurance policies with prevented planting provisions provide farmers with valuable coverage when wet field conditions prevent planting. Farmers pose questions on prevented planting insurance. Steve Johnson | Apr 02, 2019 Recent flooding has forced many crop producers to re-examine their timeline for planting this spring.
5 steps to a crop marketing plan
WORK THE PLAN: Setting up a crop marketing plan will help you manage risk and capture marketing opportunities before and after harvest. A written plan outlines your marketing strategy and pricing objectives. Steve Johnson | Apr 01, 2019 Do you plan to fail in marketing your old- and new-crop corn and soybeans? There’s an old adage that “failing to plan is planning to fail.” So what is your marketing plan, and could you write it down and share it with your business partner and primary ag lender?
Tenant defaults on farmland lease. Now what?
TERMINATION: Many written farmland leases specify how a landlord must go about terminating a lease for nonpayment of rent. Farmland lease defaults are more common this spring, triggering a crop of questions. Steve Johnson | Mar 07, 2019 March 1 is the date when most farmland leases in Iowa go into effect each year. This year more tenants are defaulting; they’re not paying the rent. Some landlords will see new tenants farming their property in 2019.
Supplemental Coverage Option for 2019 crops
ADD THIS OPTION? If you buy the Supplemental Crop Insurance Option by the March 15 deadline, you’ll need to elect and enroll in PLC for the 2019 crop. If you elect and enroll in PLC for 2019, you can buy a supplemental product for crop insurance. Steve Johnson | Feb 26, 2019 Supplemental Coverage Option crop insurance was introduced in the 2014 Farm Bill but was limited to acres enrolled in the Price Loss Coverage commodity program.
Note changes in ARC, PLC
UPDATE YIELDS: One of the changes in USDA’s farm program is an option to update yields in the PLC program. New farm bill means changes in how USDA’s crop programs work. Steve Johnson | Feb 25, 2019 USDA’s Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs are continued in the 2018 Farm Bill. But there are some changes in how they operate. One is the election between ARC-County (ARC-CO) and PLC by crop and for each Farm Service Agency number.
Slight changes in new farm bill
KEY PROVISIONS: Crop insurance, conservation and commodity programs will continue to provide support for agriculture for the next five years. USDA farm programs provide much-needed risk management tools for farmers. Steve Johnson | Jan 21, 2019 The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, aka “the 2018 Farm Bill,” was signed into law on Dec. 20. It continues the farm programs created in the 2014 Farm Bill, including the commodity crop programs Agriculture Risk Coverage and the Price Loss Coverage.
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