Saturday, April 22, 2017

Fire, flooding rains and USA crops.

April 21, 2017

...Last year's high wheat yield (click here) and low wheat prices have some growers looking at other crops, such as soybeans and corn, for the year. "I drove across the southern tier of (Kansas) counties, and saw a lot of wheat being grazed out. Crops being bailed for hay. And some being sprayed, terminating the crop, which are all indications that farmers may be changing crops," said Romulo Lollato, Kansas State University Extension forage specialist.

Total 2017/18 seedings of winter, other spring, and durum wheat for the 2017/18 marketing year, were reported in the NASS Prospective Plantings at just 46.1 million acres, which is 4.1 million acres smaller than the previous year's plantings. Winter wheat seedings are expected to be 3.4 million acres smaller than for the current marketing year, with durum and other spring planted area down 400,000 and 297,000 acres, respectively....

April 18, 2017
By Bob Burgdorfer

...Corn planting increased to 6% this week, (click here) which was short of trade forecasts and behind the 12% pace a year ago and the 9% average, as rain in the Midwest slowed progress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Monday.

Corn planting was behind the average paces throughout the Midwest, with Illinois at 6% versus the 13% average, Iowa at 2% versus 4% and Indiana at 4% versus 6%....

...“Corn planting has been limited as producers have been patiently waiting for warmer and drier soil conditions,” the Iowa report said....

...Iowa corn was 2% planted versus 11% a year ago and the 4% average, Illinois was at 6% versus 11% a year ago and the 13% average and Nebraska was at 3% versus 6% a year ago and the 3% average.

Illinois had 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork, and Nebraska had 4.8 days....


Grain: World Markets and Trade (click here)
By USDA

Global wheat production, already at a record, is raised slightly this month mainly on a larger crop in Pakistan. Global consumption is lowered mainly on reduced U.S. feed and residual use as implied by the latest Grain Stocks report from NASS. Consequently, global stocks, which were already forecast at a record high, are raised further. Global trade is lowered marginally, but remains a record. The U.S. season-average farm price is unchanged at $3.85 per bushel....