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Georgia Pecans: New Fungicide Labeled for Use Against Scab
It’s too late to help us for this year, but there is a new fungicide labeled for pecans that provides a totally new chemistry for us to use in our arsenal of weapons to fight pecan scab and its performance on nut scab in UGA Plant Pathologist Dr. Tim Brenneman’s trials has been excellent. Syngenta’s Miravis Top recently received its label and will likely be a significant component of next year’s spray programs.
Corn: Sensors Help Monitor Crop Needs More Closely
Drs. Jia Di, left, and Trent Roberts inspect a prototype corn sensor set up in a test plot at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Photo: Fred Miller, University of Arkansas A team of researchers from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the University of Arkansas College of Engineering are designing tiny sensors that can be placed in corn stalks to monitor water, nitrogen and potassium needs in real time.
Weekly Cotton Market Review - USDA
Cotton modules in front of cotton gin. ©Debra L Ferguson Average spot quotations were 136 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 55.97 cents per pound for the week ending Thursday, September 12, 2019.
Mississippi Corn: Harvest Looks Good Despite Struggles in Season
A difficult planting season followed by heavy rains and drainage issues challenged corn producers, but growers are still expected to produce a good crop despite these tough conditions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates the majority of the state’s corn crop to be in fair to good condition. Just 7% is considered excellent, while 12% is either poor or very poor. Corn harvest is a bit behind schedule.
Moving Grain: Significant Decline in Barge Tonnages - Hurricane Recovery
For the week ending on September 15, grain barge shipments on the locking portion of the Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas Rivers experienced a significant decrease (58 percent drop) in grain tonnages. The total weekly tonnage and down bound grain barges both reached the lowest point since the second week of March this year. The total weekly grain tonnage was 0.54 million tons, with corn down 55 percent and soybeans down 65 percent from last week, respectively.
Arkansas: Winter Wheat - Combination of Factors May Boos Acres
Higher contract prices may add winter wheat acres in Arkansas, for which harvested acres had dropped its lowest level in six decades. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Arkansas farmers harvested 100,000 acres in 2018, the lowest number since 1956. Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist for the Division of Agriculture said on Tuesday. “This was partially due to prices, but a bigger factor may have been the dry fall which prevented some from planting.
DTN Cotton Close: Fractionally Lower in Choppy Trade
December cotton finished 25 points lower as the market ignored better sales and exports numbers. The market did make one attempt to force new lows for the week, but additional short-covering type buying emerged to rally prices to unchanged levels. Also, the cotton market did get some outside support from the Chicago grains, which rallied on news of Argentina potentially increasing the export tax on soybeans. The news resulted in a 20-plus cent rally in beans and a 10-cent rally for corn.
DTN Grain Close: Corn, Soybeans Trade Higher for 2nd Day
December corn was up 6 3/4 cents Thursday, boosted by concerns of heavy rains around northern Iowa and bullish export news from USDA. November soybeans were up 20 1/4 cents, likely supported by short-covering related to the same rain and flooding concerns. Corn trade is 7 to 9 cents higher with trade trying to build on the positive finish from Wednesday as harvest continues ahead of more rain.
DTN Livestock Midday: Cattle Futures Regain Losses
The cattle complex is eliminating the losses of the past two days as futures push toward recent highs. The cattle complex is eliminating the losses of the past two days as futures push toward recent highs. Live cattle reversed losses suffered during the first half hour of trade, posting gains of 25-50 cents. Feeder cattle followed a similar pattern with gains of 35-75 cents.
DTN Grain Midday: Soybeans Lead Markets Higher
Corn trade is 7 to 9 cents higher with trade trying to build on the positive finish from Wednesday as harvest continues ahead of more rain. Also, we have continued export interest with Mexico securing 160,000 metric tons of corn, mostly for 2018-19 crop year. Wetter near-term weather may slow harvest progress in many areas this week, while other areas are moving along quickly.
DTN Cotton Open: Market Trades Mixed Weighing Sales, Tariffs
December cotton has been on both sides of Wednesday’s close, as it deciphers the effects of better weekly sales and exports and a weaker dollar. Of course, we use the term “better exports” lightly as net sales, although higher than last week, still didn’t break triple-digit levels. USDA’s weekly export sales summary showed weekly net sales for 2018/2019 were 97,800 bales. That was up 20% from the previous week, but down 24% from the prior 4-week average.
Grain Storage: What’s Inside Your Bin? - DTN
It may feel like only yesterday that you were doing spring cleaning, but the amber waves of grain outside my window tell me how much time has passed. Hopefully, all the seeds you’ve sown have grown into mature crops, and that harvest is only weeks away. Now is the perfect time to talk about fall cleaning and to prepare for storing your grain. You can save yourself a headache and money if you take action before harvesting a single ear of corn.
Iowa Soybeans: Harvest Strategy for Securing Market Facilitation Program Payment
The lion’s share of payments under the new Market Facilitation Program (MFP) are going to pork and soybean producers. Given the most recent USDA production estimates, Iowa producers stand to gain more than $550 million from this program. The MFP will be administered by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices and the deadline for signing up is Jan. 15, 2019. The MFP payments have a $125,000 cap per person or legal entity, but the cap works separately between crops and livestock.
DTN Livestock Open: Cattle Quiet, Biding Time
Mixed trade is expected to develop again Thursday morning as cattle prices remain steady this week, awaiting the next round of cash sales.
Kansas Soybean Yield and Value Contests - Is Your Crop Up to Snuff?
As fall harvest ramps up, farmers should think about the annual Kansas Soybean Yield and Value Contests. Entries must be postmarked no later than Dec. 1. Kansas State University (K-State) Extension personnel or a designee must witness the harvest. A designee may be anyone not involved with the farm enterprise. For example, a family member or input supplier may not serve as the witness. Pertaining to harvest, some of the contest rules’ highlights include the following.
DTN Grain Open: Mixed Markets Ahead of Harvest and Rain
6:00 a.m. CME Globex: December corn was up 1/2 cent, November soybeans were down 2 cents, and December K.C. wheat was down 3 cents. CME Globex Recap: Equity markets are higher Thursday morning while the U.S. dollar index is trading at the lowest levels since July. Crude oil is once again over $70.00/barrel, adding support to the commodity complex. Grains mostly taking a breather Thursday, although harvest looks to be delayed most of this week with rain around the entire Corn Belt.
DTN Livestock Close: Sluggish Trade Leaves Prices Mixed
Limited activity developed in all livestock trade Wednesday with very little market direction seen. Cattle markets were contained to narrow market moves as traders tried to establish short- and long-term direction. Cash cattle interest remains extremely sluggish through midweek with a few token live bids developing in the South at $108 per hundredweight (cwt). This is well below asking prices of $113 to $114 live and $180 and higher dressed.
DTN Cotton Close: Edges Higher on Recovery Bounce
December cotton finished slightly higher Wednesday, correcting Tuesday’s oversold condition. Tuesday saw a steep decline as speculators liquidated long holdings as the U.S. and China continues to rates the economic stakes in their on-going trade war. However, since the market saw little follow-through selling last night and Wednesday morning, speculates held up on their selling and bullish bottom pickers were encouraged to take a stab at the long side.
DTN Grain Close: Wheat, Soybeans Lead Crop Prices Higher
Wednesday’s trade was marked by commercial buying throughout the soy complex and in two of the three U.S. wheats — bullish votes of confidence for those crops. December corn ended up 2 1/2 cents, a polite participant in the day’s buying spree. Midday: Soybeans and wheat are midday leaders, with corn remaining around unchanged. Corn futures are flat to 1 cent higher at midday with trade grinding sideways on little fresh news and ongoing harvest.
Kentucky: Wheat, Double-Crop Soybeans Look Profitable in 2019
As Kentucky grain producers look ahead to 2019, they may want to consider adding wheat seeding to their plans this fall. The combination of wheat followed by double-crop soybeans is appearing to be more profitable for the upcoming marketing year compared to a corn-soybean rotation, said Todd Davis, University of Kentucky agricultural economist.
World Rough Rice Prices Unchanged
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). Rough rice prices for both long grain and medium/short grain remain unchanged from the previous announcement.
Diesel, Gas Prices Up Slightly
The U.S. average diesel fuel price increased 1 cent from last week to $3.27 per gallon on September 17, 2018, 48 cents higher than a year ago. Gulf Coast prices rose nearly two cents to $3.06 per gallon, Midwest prices increased over a cent to $3.21 per gallon, West Coast prices increased nearly a cent to $3.76 per gallon, and East Coast prices increased less than a cent, remaining at $3.25 per gallon. Rocky Mountain prices decreased less than a cent to $3.36 per gallon.
DTN Livestock Midday: Mixed Trade Holds
Trade remains mixed in all livestock markets with very little activity seen through the morning. Sluggish market moves are expected through the end of the session. Mixed trade is seen through the entire complex. Narrow trading ranges are seen in all cattle markets with live cattle futures holding losses of 2 to 15 cents per hundredweight (cwt). Lean hog futures are trading in a moderate range from 60 cents lower to 52 cents higher.
Virginia Cotton: Defoliate Now Before Overcast Conditions Return
The best conditions for the next couple of weeks will be during the next few days. Excellent results would be expected using high Dropp rates and relatively low herbicide or Def/Folex rates. Beginning Saturday evening, rain becomes more likely. Off and on sun and rain are expected all of next week and humid conditions until the end of next week. This pattern is based in part of tropic conditions that can contantly change as we have just experienced.
DTN Grain Midday: Corn Near Steady; Soybeans, Wheat Higher
Soybeans and wheat are midday leaders, with corn remaining around unchanged. Corn futures are flat to 1 cent higher at midday with trade grinding sideways on little fresh news and ongoing harvest. Wetter, near-term weather may slow harvest progress in many areas this week, while other areas are moving along quickly. The weekly ethanol report showed production 31,000 barrels per day higher, stocks were down 148,000 barrels with futures remaining at the bottom of the range at 1.25.
Waters of the U.S. Rule: 28 States Not Under EPA’s WOTUS Jurisdiction - DTN
Add Iowa to the list of now 28 states not under the jurisdiction of the 2015 waters of the United States rule thanks to a ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota on Tuesday. Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds asked the court for the injunction after a series of court rulings left Iowa on the list of states required to abide by WOTUS.
Ethanol Producer Green Plains Has NOT Shut Down Plants - DTN
Omaha-based Green Plains Inc. announced plans earlier this year to sell four to six ethanol plants as part of a plan to make the business more profitable. In response to a report by Reuters on Monday that the company had shut down plants, Green Plains CEO Todd Becker told DTN on Tuesday his company hasn’t shut down a single plant to this point. “We have not shut down any ethanol plants,” Becker said. “We have been flexing our production up and down. We have been doing this for years.
U.S. Tariffs - China Responds; Trump Threatens More to Come - DTN
In the latest round of tariffs, China responded Tuesday to the U.S. by announcing new 5% to 10% tariffs on $60 billion in U.S. goods after President Donald Trump late Monday announced similar tariffs on roughly $200 billion in goods from China effective Sept. 24.
Arkansas: 2 Counties Designated Natural Disaster Areas from Hail
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two counties in Arkansas as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Arkansas and Monroe counties who suffered losses due to hail and high winds that occurred July 20 through July 21, 2018, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This designation by Secretary Perdue allows FSA to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters.
Midwest Corn: Tar Spot Update - Video
Midwest Corn: Tar Spot Update – Video Posted on September 19, 2018 By Nathan Kleczewski, University of Illinois Extension Plant Pathologist Tar Spot on corn with Black raised “bumps” and small necrotic fisheye symptoms. Photo: University of Illinois Tarspot in corn continues to be the hot topic in our field crops this season. I put together a brief update on what we know based on this seasons observations.
DTN Cotton Open: Trades Flat After Tuesday’s Rout
December cotton is nervously unchanged after overnight follow-through selling sent prices below the $.7800 mark. Tuesday saw a tsunami of selling from speculators as efforts to mend the U.S./China trade riff went from bad to worse. In that vein, the U.S. applied more tariffs with less percentages to $200 billion of Chinese goods, which in turn caused China retaliated with taxes on $60 billion of U.S. imported goods. The result for Tuesday was a near limit-down trade.
Kentucky Sweet Sorghum: Sugarcane Aphid Numbers Low, Keep Monitoring
Sugarcane aphid can build to several thousand per leaf of sweet sorghum. Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky This season, sugarcane aphid was first spotted close to the same time as last year. Generally, populations were slow to build, but this year a number of growers were prepared to treat with Sivanto Prime, which is available through an emergency exemption Section 18.
Pistachios: Italian Researchers ID New Fungus That Causes Cankers, Declines
Symptoms caused by newly described pathogenic fungus of pistachios observed in the field. Photo: Dalia Aiello Starting in the spring of 2010, farmers from Sicily – the major pistachio production area of Italy – have been reporting a previously unknown disease on the trees. Characterized by cankers and declines, it sometimes leads to the collapse of the entire plant.
DTN Livestock Open: Mixed Morning Trade
Limited activity is expected early Wednesday morning with traders looking for additional longer-term direction and the potential to bring additional support to hog futures.
DTN Grain Open: Wheat Starts Higher, Row Crops See Early Green
6:00 a.m. CME Globex: December corn was up 3/4 cent, November soybeans were up 4 cents, and December K.C. wheat was up 8 3/4 cents. CME Globex Recap: Most major stock markets are higher early Wednesday, including those in Asia as investors appear to shrug off trade war concerns. Commodities are mixed, but mostly higher, helped by a lower start in the U.S. dollar. The grain sector has flipped to green early, helped by higher wheat prices in both the U.S. and Europe.
DTN Livestock Close: Hog Futures Rally
Strong support exploded in nearby lean hog futures early Tuesday morning with October futures sparking additional underlying support in all lean hog contracts. Cattle futures were under limited pressure as traders continue to protect late-week gains. Cash cattle activity remained sluggish Tuesday afternoon with bids and asking prices undeveloped. It is likely cash trade will not become active until midweek or later. Even though cash trade remained sluggish last week, formulated sales increased.
Texas Field Reports: Battling Armyworms
Hay and forage producers and homeowners around the state are battling armyworms following rains and cooler weather, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts. The fall armyworm is a common pest of Bermuda grass and many other crops in Texas, Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson, AgriLife Extension forage specialist, Overton, said. Given their appetite, numbers and ability to move, fall armyworms can consume entire fields or pastures in a few days.
Illinois Corn, Soybeans: Survey Ranks the Most Problematic Pests of 2018
As field and research season winds down, we’re able to finish collecting and summarizing data. One of our biggest summer projects is the annual corn and soybean survey. While some of that information was shared at Agronomy Day, the complete results are summarized below. As a recap, this survey has been carried out across the state for several years (2011, 2013–2018).
DTN Cotton Close: Sharply Lower on Speculative Exodus
December cotton closed sharply lower as speculators liquidated their massive long positions amid new sanctions on China. Tuesday, the Trump Administration implemented a 10% tariff on an additional $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, with a promise to add the other 15% later in the calendar. China responded with a $60 billion tariff of her own on U.S. imports.
Ohio: Don’t Forget to Calibrate Your Yield Monitor!
Remember the old adage … Garbage in = Garbage out. Many of us use our yield data to make additional management decisions on our farms such as hybrid or variety selection, fertilizer applications, marketing, etc. Data from an uncalibrated yield monitor can haunt us for many years by leading us into improper decisions with lasting financial affects. In today’s Ag economy we can ill afford any decision with adverse financial implications.
DTN Grain Close: Row Crops Keep Sliding Lower
December corn fell 4 3/4 cents and November soybeans were down 9 1/2 cents, both finishing at new contract lows for a second day. December contracts of winter wheat were 3 to 4 cents higher, finding support at the lower end of this year’s trading range. Midday: Midday sees row crops at fresh lows while wheat is flat to 2 cents higher. Corn trade is 4 to 5 cents lower with trade falling to fresh lows at midday with selling pressure building during the day session.
Ohio Soybeans: Late Season Insect Considerations
Although the growing season is winding down, we are still receiving some reports of insect activity and damage in soybeans. At this point, the risk is mainly to late-planted or double-cropped beans that are still maturing and still green when other fields are yellowing. Late-season soybean aphids, which feed on sap, do not cause yield drag after seed fill is complete. Stink bugs, grasshoppers, Mexican bean beetles, and bean leaf beetles can feed on pods later in the season.
Ohio Corn, Soybeans: Preparing Grain Bins for Post-Harvest Storage
First – before using any product to treat grain bins, always read the most current label for the product to assure that the product is used correctly. This is for the protection of the grain to be stored in the bin as well as for the protection of the applicator of the product. Labels for products are subject to change from one year to the next, product registrations can be changed and/or canceled and rates may be changed.
USDA: Weekly National Peanut Prices
The following prices are effective from 09/19/18 at 12:01 am Eastern Time until midnight Tuesday 09/25/18. The next announcement is scheduled for 09/25/18 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time. * $424.49 per ton for Runner peanuts * $415.84 per ton for Spanish peanuts * $429.80 per ton for Valencia peanuts * $429.80 per ton for Virginia peanuts These NPP are based on the 2018-crop loan differentials announced June 25, 2018.
DowDuPont Announces Senior Leaders of Independent Corteva Agriscience, DuPont
DowDuPont has announced the senior leaders of the independent companies that will be created following the separation of its Agriculture (Corteva Agriscience) and Specialty Products (DuPont) Divisions, which is expected to occur by June 1, 2019. In addition, the company announced that Ed Breen, chief executive officer of DowDuPont, will become executive chairman of DuPont following the separation.
DTN Livestock Midday: Hog Futures Surge Higher
Aggressive market support has quickly developed in front-month lean hog futures, drawing attention away from cattle markets Tuesday morning. Trade in livestock futures is dominated by aggressive market support that has pushed nearby lean hog futures to new short-term highs. October futures are flirting with limit gains at midday. Cattle futures, on the other hand, remain sluggish with limited activity developing in all contracts.
DTN Grain Midday: Row Crops Score Fresh Lows, Wheat Flat
Midday sees row crops at fresh lows while wheat is flat to 2 cents higher. Corn trade is 4 to 5 cents lower with trade falling to fresh lows at midday with selling pressure building during the day session. Wetter near-term weather may slow harvest progress in the center of the belt later this week. Ethanol margins remain tight with futures still on the low end of the range with more plants being idled, while the blender margins remain solid.
USDA Crop Progress: Grain Harvest Moving At Faster Pace - DTN
In its first soybean harvest report of the season, USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service estimated that 6% of the U.S. crop was harvested as of Sunday, Sept. 16, 3 percentage points ahead of the five-year average, according to the agency’s weekly Crop Progress report released Monday. This year’s soybean harvest progress is also 2 percentage points ahead of 4% at the same time last year.
DTN Cotton Open: Lower on Tariffs, Technicals
December cotton is lower this morning as the Trump Administration announced another $200 billion of tariffs on imported Chinese goods. This move is coming after another several increments of the first $200 billion have been implemented. There was a moment back in August when China came over to discuss trade, but those talks ended with no resolution.
North Carolina Crops: Florence Hit at Worst Possible Time, Pre-Harvest - DTN
With rainfall totals in parts of North Carolina reaching as much as 36 inches since Thursday due to Hurricane Florence, a big chunk of rural North Carolina was largely marooned Monday with more than 1,000 roads closed in the state. Still, North Carolina Farm Bureau President Larry Wooten noted the sun was shining in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Monday afternoon and he expected recovery would begin soon.
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