As expected, corn and soybean prices continue to move erratically in a very wide range. Just in the past week, both May 2011 corn and soybean futures had a 56-cent trading range. As the markets make the transition from old-crop to new-crop dominance, a lot of factors are influencing price expectations, said a University of Illinois agricultural economist.
“For soybeans, the Census Bureau soybean crush report released on April 28 revealed that the March 2011 crush was about 10 percent smaller than that of March 2010. Through the first seven months of the 2010-11 marketing year, the crush was 7.4 percent smaller than the crush during the same period last year,” Darrel Good said.
For the year, the USDA has projected a decline of 5.8 percent. Last year, the crush was unusually large in the first half of the year and declined rapidly from April through August. The seasonal decline may be less pronounced this year.… Continue reading
The increased use of ethanol reduced wholesale gasoline prices by an average of $0.89 per gallon in 2010, according to a new study conducted by economists at Iowa State University and the University of Wisconsin and released by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD). The new analysis, an update to a 2009 Energy Policy paper authored by professors Dermot Hayes and Xiaodong Du, also found that the growth in ethanol production reduced gasoline prices by an average of $0.25, or 16%, over the entire decade of 2000-2010. Further, the study determined that gas prices could double if ethanol production came to an immediate halt.
“This study confirms that ethanol is playing a tremendously important role in holding down volatile gasoline prices, which are currently inching closer to all-time record highs,” said Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President Bob Dinneen. “As rising oil prices are contributing to higher retail costs for everything from gas to food to clothing, ethanol is clearly providing some real relief for American families.”… Continue reading
Farm Credit Services of Mid-America’s President and Chief Executive Officer Donnie Winters has retired effective May 1. He will continue as a consultant to Farm Credit through August.
“With over 40 years of experience at Farm Credit – the last 21 years as president – Donnie has provided this association with strong, trusted leadership and visionary thinking. He truly represented the voice of our 93,000 customer-members across Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee,” said Ed Yanos, a Cambridge City, Indiana farmer and chair of the FCS Board of Directors. “He leaves us on a high note, with an incredible legacy that the board of directors will ensure continues.”
Winters served as president and CEO since 1989 and directed a staff of almost 900 employees. Prior to that time, he held a number of positions within the organization.
Under his leadership, the association has grown from less than $3 billion to over $17 billion in assets, lowered the cost of operations 70 percent and has provided the lowest-cost fixed-rate financing in the national Farm Credit System.… Continue reading
A recently completed five-year study of conservation tillage practices in the 4.9 million acre Western Lake Erie Basin watershed reveals that most fields in the watersheds are either tilled conventionally or stirred with mulch tillage at least once every three to five years. Crop rotations including corn were the reason fields used conventional tillage periodically. Corn in a crop rotation was planted using conventional methods 80% of the time.
“There are varying degrees of conservation tillage,” explains Steve Davis, a watershed specialist contractor working for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The amount of crop residue cover on the field at planting and the degree of soil stirring determines the type of conservation tillage.
“There is a lot of no-till planting in the watershed,” Davis said, “but the percentage of long-term continuous no-till fields is still small.”
These findings are significant when considering the role conservation tillage plays in delivering phosphorous runoff to waterways in the Lake Erie drainage basin.… Continue reading
By Pierce Paul and Dennis Mills, Ohio State University Extension
Most of our wheat is now beyond Feekes 6, jointing, and spring N applications have been completed in most areas. Attention is now being shifted to foliar fungicide applications, with questions again being asked about what to apply, when to apply. Another question that should be asked is whether a fungicide should be applied. With current wheat prices and the wet conditions we have had so far this spring, producers are concerned about protecting their valuable wheat crop. When conditions are as wet as they have been this spring, foliar disease development is certainly a reason for concern.
Septoria blotch is usually one of the first to show up, and it already has been reported in some fields. This disease is favored by cool (50 to 68 degrees F), rainy conditions, and although it usually develops early in the season, it really does not cause yield loss unless it reaches and damages the flag leaf before grain fill is complete.… Continue reading
As farmers take advantage of the extra time from a long spell of rain to tune up planting equipment, one Purdue Extension soybean specialist says growers need to pay attention to seeding rates – especially with the cold, wet weather in the Midwest.
“April 2011 has been much cooler and wetter than this time last year, so as farmers take advantage for final equipment tune-ups, I want to remind them that planting should be based on soil and environmental conditions,” Shaun Casteel said. “As farmers tune up their planters, drills and air-seeders, they need to consider seeding rates.”
Casteel said that many of the soybean lots planted in 2010 were large seeds. That isn’t the case this year.
“Soybean seeding rates need to be adjusted by seed size rather than weight,” he said. “Planter settings used last year will probably drop more seeds per acre with this year’s seed lots and germination scores fluctuate, as well,” he said.… Continue reading
While the general economy has underperformed in the past several years, the crop farming sector has been not just stable, but profitable. A recent University of Illinois report comparing the returns from publicly traded companies from 2007 until the end of the first quarter of 2011 showed an 8.6% market value increase from agriculture-related companies, and companies in the S&P 500 experienced a decline of 2.7%.
“We looked at 21 agriculture-related Midwestern companies in five sectors: fertilizer, equipment, seed and genetic companies, crop production companies, and first processors,” said U of I graduate student Clay Kramer who created the index with agricultural economist Gary Schnitkey. “The overall goal was to build an AgIndex that measured the change in market value of publicly traded agricultural companies and compare it to the S&P 500, looking at their market values and how they did over time from 2007 up to the first quarter of 2011.”… Continue reading
While the general economy has underperformed in the past several years, the crop farming sector has been not just stable, but profitable. A recent University of Illinois report comparing the returns from publicly traded companies from 2007 until the end of the first quarter of 2011 showed an 8.6% market value increase from agriculture-related companies, and companies in the S&P 500 experienced a decline of 2.7%.
“We looked at 21 agriculture-related Midwestern companies in five sectors: fertilizer, equipment, seed and genetic companies, crop production companies, and first processors,” said U of I graduate student Clay Kramer who created the index with agricultural economist Gary Schnitkey. “The overall goal was to build an AgIndex that measured the change in market value of publicly traded agricultural companies and compare it to the S&P 500, looking at their market values and how they did over time from 2007 up to the first quarter of 2011.”… Continue reading
The Obama administration yesterday, April 27, 2011, essentially rewrote two U.S. Supreme Court cases and ignored concerns from Congress and industry by issuing a guidance, which dramatically expands the regulatory authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) under the Clean Water Act (CWA). National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley Lyon said the Obama administration has once again acted as an “activist” administration rather than simply implementing laws as intended by Congress and required under the U.S. Constitution.
“EPA and the Corps have attempted to make an end run around two Supreme Court decisions that limited their authority under the CWA by issuing a draft guidance document giving field staff a plethora of approaches to make jurisdictional determinations,” said Lyon. “Through vague definitions and broad interpretations laid out in this draft guidance, EPA and the Corps have once again shown little regard for the practical implications of their actions or Congress’ intentions under the CWA.… Continue reading
Steve Maurer, the Ohio Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, announced the deadline for project area proposals for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). To be considered, proposals must be submitted to the Ohio FSA State office by close of business, May 27, 2011.
“I encourage all those interested in participating in this program to contact the Ohio FSA State office for details,” said Maurer.
BCAP was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill and provides payments to eligible farmers, ranchers and forest landowners for the establishment and production of biomass crops for heat, power, bio-based products and biofuels. BCAP project areas are specific geographic areas where producers grow eligible biomass crops. Producers then receive annual payments during the life of the contract period for those crops.
For more information, visit the USDA FSA website at: www.fsa.usda.gov/bcap or contact the Ohio FSA State Office Conservation Section at 614-255-2447.… Continue reading
Heavy rains mean more than an increased risk of flooding. They also can pose a threat to drinking water, said Ohio State University Extension‘s water quality specialist.
Many residents in rural areas get their drinking water from wells rather than municipal systems, and have septic systems rather than sewers for household wastewater.
“But when it’s saturated, soil loses its ability to remove pollutants. If your well or your neighbor’s well is near your septic system, drinking water could be unsafe.”
Properly constructed and grouted wells protect drinking water against this type of problem, Mancl said. But it’s estimated that 40 percent of the nation’s well water is contaminated.… Continue reading
Steve Maurer, State Executive Director for Ohio’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) would like to remind producers to report the acreage to your local FSA office within 15 days of the final planting date of the crop, when bad weather prevents planting or damages crops. This applies to all crops, whether covered by crop insurance, not covered by insurance, or covered by FSA’s Non-insured Assistance Program (NAP). Final planting dates vary among counties and crop types.
Producers who have their crops insured through a private crop insurance company should contact the insurance agent immediately and advise them of the damaged crops. Additionally, for those crops covered under FSA’s NAP, producers should immediately contact their local FSA office to report the acres and file a CCC-576, Notice of Loss Application. “Producers with NAP coverage should report their losses within 15 calendar days of crop damage from natural disaster, so the loss can be appraised and production counted before the crop is put into another use, abandoned or destroyed,” said Maurer.… Continue reading
You may have invasive species on your land and not even know it. Learn about the harm they do, how to spot them and how to fight them in a workshop in Dayton May 13.
The Ohio Woodland Stewards Program’s Invasive Species Workshop looks at such banes as purple loosestrife, common buckthorn and hemlock woolly adelgid — plants and pests that aren’t native to Ohio but are here now and causing problems.
“Invasive species come in all shapes and sizes and include insects, woodland plants and aquatic plants,” said Kathy Smith, coordinator of the Stewards Program and one of the workshop’s speakers.
“We’ll cover the identification of those species that are giving landowners the most difficulty along with some control options — from mechanical removal to the more complex chemical options,” Smith said.
Troublemakers also include common reed, tree-of-heaven, emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, Japanese honeysuckle and some looming new threats.… Continue reading
The Ohio Dairy Programs present Dairypalooza 2011, a learning and growing experience for 4-H dairy members of all ages. The event will be held April 30 at the Grammer Jersey Farm at 11810 Johnson Rd. in Beloit.
Highlights of the day include:
* Dairy JudgingClinic/Contest where we will give you pointers to help your succeed in judging and improve your oral reasons skills. Prizes will be awarded for the top individuals in each age category.
* Dairy Quiz Bowl Demo with a demonstration of dairy knowledge from the 2010 National 4‐H Dairy Quiz Bowl Champs.
* And a Showmanship Clinic covering what you should do once you are in the ring with your animals.
In addition, animal health experts will be on hand to talk with members about important nutrition and health topics. There will also be washing, clipping and fitting clinics and a career expo. Registration is $3 per person.… Continue reading
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a final rule April 19 that will broaden the market for smaller state-inspected plants. By participating in this voluntary cooperative interstate shipment program, select establishments will have the option to ship meat and poultry products, bearing an official USDA mark of inspection, across state lines.
“We’re excited to announce this new rule that offers smaller plants the opportunity to expand their market and sell their products to new customers,” said FSIS Administrator Al Almanza. “Allowing these state-inspected establishments to ship their products across state lines has the potential to expand rural development and jobs, increase local tax bases, strengthen rural communities, and ensure that food is safe for consumers.”
While that sounds like great news, most state-inspected processors are taking a “wait and see” approach.
“I’ve learned not to get my hopes up,” said Mike Jessee, Ohio Association of Meat Processors (OAMP) president and owner of Dee-Jay’s Custom Meats, Fredericktown.… Continue reading
State Treasurer Josh Mandel announced approval of $68.9 million in Agricultural Linked Deposit (Ag-LINK) funds awarded to over 800 farmers from all corners of the state.
“Ag-LINK is a great program that offers Ohio’s farmers reduced rate loans to provide needed funds for a successful season. Through the Ag-LINK program the state invests in our agriculture community and helps provide farmers with important financial tools to help weather the up-front costs of their farming operations,” said Treasurer Mandel. “This translates into real money that farmers can use to invest in their operations, which is very important in an era when many are struggling to make ends meet.”
This annual program provides an interest rate reduction on operating loans and lines of credit to Ohio’s farming community. Every year before the planting season, many farmers finance their operating costs for feed, seed, fertilizer, and fuel. The Ohio Treasury places deposits with Ohio’s banks at below market rates when the bank agrees to reduce the interest rate on a farmer’s loan.… Continue reading
At the risk of stating the painfully obvious, it has been a very wet spring in the state of Ohio and most surrounding states. The cool, wet weather has put nearly every farming enterprise behind schedule thus far and this week’s weather forecast offers little immediate relief. Corn planting is well behind schedule and soybean planting may soon join the same trend. Poor field conditions have also prevented forage producers from making seedings for permanent pastures or hay fields.
The poor field conditions are particularly troubling for beef producers wanting to improve their forage situation. Even though it seems like a distant memory, the fall of 2010 was abnormally dry in many locations, which resulted in many substandard or delayed seedings. This fact combined with the current field conditions has put many forage enterprises in a precarious situation.
This week’s weather will push the earliest opportunity to return to the field into next week which puts us at the first of May.… Continue reading
By Peter Thomison and Robert Mullen, Ohio State University Extension
As of Sunday April 24, only one percent of Ohio’s corn crop was planted, which is 38% behind last year and 13% behind the five-year average (http://www.nass.usda.gov/oh). Weather forecasts indicate more rain this week possibly continuing through Thursday. As prospects for a timely start to spring planting diminish, growers need to reassess their planting strategies and consider adjustments. Since delayed planting reduces the yield potential of corn, the foremost attention should be given to management practices that will expedite crop establishment. The following are some suggestions and guidelines to consider in dealing with a late planting season.
Although the penalty for late planting is important, care should be taken to avoid tillage and planting operations when soil is wet. Yield reductions resulting from “mudding the seed in” are usually much greater than those resulting from a slight planting delay.… Continue reading
About 2001, Visser Dairy with about 1,600 cows started up next to the crop farm of the Zeedyk family in Defiance County. At the time, Roger Zeedyk Jr. farmed the land along with his sons Roger IV, Mike and Adam. An arrangement between the two farms soon materialized, with the Zeedyks supplying corn silage to the dairy and, as partial payment, the dairy’s manure would be applied to the Zeedyks’ fields for fertility.
In the first few years of this arrangement, the problem was finding someone to apply the manure in a timely fashion, said Roger Zeedyk IV.
“It always got there, it was just never quite when you wanted it, or it didn’t quite get applied the way you wanted it,” Roger IV said.
Roger IV had watched people do custom manure application over the years and talked with them about how it needed to be done.… Continue reading
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