28.01.2014

USA - Persistent Kansas drought could present threat to winter wheat crop

According to the latest United States Drought Monitor, cold, dry conditions in Kansas continue to inhabit the state and could present a threat to the winter wheat crop. The Drought Monitor shows about 95% of Kansas is currently “abnormally dry,” with 47% of the state experiencing “moderate drought” conditions that have threatened farmers’ crops. These unfavorable conditions have led the USDA to recently designate 37 counties in Kansas as primary natural disaster areas. Shawnee County and the majority of the eastern half of Kansas are being classified as abnormally dry, but not yet in drought. However, drought conditions appear to worsen moving westward.A Farm Futures article notes the recent weather conditions could present a concern to winter wheat farmers, as sub-zero temperatures and dry weather continue to take hold. In the article, Brad Rippey, USDA Meteorologist, notes the changes from extreme cold to relatively mild in the matter of days are the biggest threat. Rippey says, "It's not just the extreme temperatures but these rapid variations that can also stress wheat. We have seen quite a bit of this in the last few months." However, Jim Shroyer, Kansas State University Extension wheat specialist, explains in the same article that winter wheat is extremely resilient in the mid-winter months. "From mid-December to Mid-January, that's when winter wheat is its most winter-hardy. It can tolerate some pretty darn cold temperatures at that time, and still shake it off and just be fine." The dry, fluctuating weather conditions across Kansas have resulted in natural disaster declarations by the USDA and have posed a severe threat to the winter wheat crop, according to reports. Source - http://www.machinefinder.com/USA - Persistent Kansas drought could present threat to winter wheat cropCold, dry conditions in Kansas continue to inhabit the state and could present a threat to the winter wheat crop. The Drought Monitor shows about 95% of Kansas is currently “abnormally dry,” with 47% of the state experiencing “moderate drought” conditions that have threatened farmers’ crops. These unfavorable conditions have led the USDA to recently designate 37 counties in Kansas as primary natural disaster areas. Shawnee County and the majority of the eastern half of Kansas are being classified as abnormally dry, but not yet in drought.

28.01.2014

Cold poses risk to European grain crops after mild spell

Mild conditions so far this winter in Europe have prevented the full hardening of cereal crops in some countries, leaving them vulnerable to a severe cold spell, the European Union's crop-monitoring unit said. No significant frost damage is estimated to have occurred across the European continent so far and this should remain the case this week despite a forecast fall in temperatures, the MARS unit said in a monthly crop report. "The current situation is delicate, however, considering the weakly hardened crops in Europe's central regions," it said. "If the cold air intrusion is more severe than expected and accompanied by shallow snow cover, frost kill events could occur in eastern Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Baltic countries, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria." Since mid-December, most of Europe had observed temperatures that were 2 to 7 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms, slowing or delaying the process by which crops become resistant against low temperatures, MARS said. But colder conditions in Russia, most of Ukraine and Belarus have allowed winter crops to become fully or near fully hardened, it added. Wheat is Europe's main winter cereal, followed by barley. Regarding rainfall, parts of eastern Europe have experienced dry weather in December and this month, including major grain producers Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, and conditions could stay drier than normal until the start of February, MARS said. In contrast, some western regions saw above-average rainfall so far this month and this should remain the case in the week ahead in parts of France and the British Isles, it said. Source - http://www.brecorder.com/Mild conditions so far this winter in Europe have prevented the full hardening of cereal crops in some countries, leaving them vulnerable to a severe cold spell. No significant frost damage is estimated to have occurred across the European continent so far and this should remain the case this week despite a forecast fall in temperatures. Since mid-December, most of Europe had observed temperatures that were 2 to 7 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms, slowing or delaying the process by which crops become resistant against low temperatures. Cold poses risk to European grain crops after mild spell

28.01.2014

Africa - Dry conditions continue across Ivorian cocoa regions

Africa - Dry conditions continue across Ivorian cocoa regionsProlonged dry conditions across several of Ivory Coast's principal cocoa-growing regions that continued into last week are threatening the development of the April-to-September mid-crop harvest. Dealers are keeping a close watch on top grower Ivory Coast's port arrivals, which are outpacing last season's levels significantly despite concerns about poor weather in the run-up to the main harvest. In the western region of Man, farmers reported abundant rainfall and hot weather. Similar growing conditions were reported in the western regions of Duekoue, Bangolo and Meagui.Prolonged dry conditions across several of Ivory Coast's principal cocoa-growing regions that continued into last week are threatening the development of the April-to-September mid-crop harvest, farmers said on Monday. Dealers are keeping a close watch on top grower Ivory Coast's port arrivals, which are outpacing last season's levels significantly despite concerns about poor weather in the run-up to the main harvest. A marked slowdown is expected this month. March cocoa on ICE was off $3 or 0.1 percent at $2,789 a tonne on Monday while May cocoa on Liffe fell 7 pounds or 0.4 percent lower to 1,758 pounds ($2,900) a tonne. Ivory Coast is in its dry season, which runs from mid-November to March, during which rainfall tends to be sporadic. Farmers said that plantations need one shower a week from January to late February to ensure good bean development and ward off a drop in quality in the first months of the mid-crop harvest. In the central western region of Daloa, responsible for a quarter of Ivory Coast's national output, farmers reported no rain for the third consecutive week. "We have good foliage and some flowers on the trees for the mid-crop, but if it doesn't rain before mid-February that will all be lost," said Abel Konan, who farms on the outskirts of Daloa. In the eastern region of Abengourou, known for the quality of its beans, farmers expressed concern over the length of the dry spell. "The soil is dry and cracked in some areas. Some trees have dry leaves. If this continues, our mid-crop won't really start until the end of May or early June," said N'Dri Kouao, who farms in Niable near the border of Ghana. Farmers in the coastal region of San Pedro also said there were no rain showers during the week. "There are still some pods for the main crop, but the mid-crop will be small and very late if this dry weather continues into February," said San Pedro farmer Labbe Zoungrana. Despite a lack of rainfall in the western region of Soubre, farmers said that growing conditions remain good thanks to good soil moisture content. "We have cherelles (small pods) and some flowers on the trees, and the weather is good for flower development for a strong mid-crop," said Salam Kone, who farms on the outskirts of Soubre. In the western region of Man, farmers reported abundant rainfall and hot weather. Similar growing conditions were reported in the western regions of Duekoue, Bangolo and Meagui. "It's raining in some areas and it's looking good for the mid-crop. The main crop harvesting has slowed down, but there will be some cocoa into March," said Duekoue farmer Amara Kone. Source - http://www.brecorder.com/

27.01.2014

Winter maintenance saves time during busy spring

Winter maintenance saves time during busy springBenjamin Franklin once said, “Never leave ‘till tomorrow which you can do today.” This holds true when it comes to preparing machinery for the upcoming growing season. Even if you are a livestock and grain farmer, winter has the slower months of the year. Many machinery experts agree routine maintenance is crucial during these months for keeping up and running during the busy growing season ahead. More than likely, planters will be the first piece of equipment put to use in 2014.Benjamin Franklin once said, “Never leave ‘till tomorrow which you can do today.” This holds true when it comes to preparing machinery for the upcoming growing season. Even if you are a livestock and grain farmer, winter has the slower months of the year. Many machinery experts agree routine maintenance is crucial during these months for keeping up and running during the busy growing season ahead. First comes planting More than likely, planters will be the first piece of equipment put to use in 2014. Phil Jennings, service manager with Kinze Mfg., urges farmers to get started now to ensure their readiness for spring and minimize delays. “Parts discounts and service specials make this another great reason to work on your planter now,” Jennings explains. A planter in good mechanical shape will help with consistent performance during planting, so do the basics first. This is done by doing a close inspection of the bearings and the various wear parts, advises Adrian Hagen, services manager at Riechmann Bros. John Deere Dealership in Breese. Any parts that are very worn must be replaced to ensure efficiency the coming season, he explains. Checking combines Another major piece of equipment that requires winter maintenance is the combine. Case IH experts provide insight to a few inspection points that will help keep the machine in good running condition. The first inspection point is the feeder chains. If there was poor crop flow, it’s vital to ensure the feeder house components are lubricated and in good condition. Also, check to see if the chain is showing wear or lacking tension, as these could cause stress on the feeder chain, producing plugging or damage. The second inspection point involves the rasp bars. Even minor chips on threshing components can have costly consequences, Case IH experts state. Chipped edges will increase grain damage and require more power to maintain peak crop flow. Ensuring these bars are in good condition is fundamental. Also, if you are experiencing poor threshing, inspect concaves for levelness, damaged or missing wires and excessive buildup to ensure balanced performance. The next inspection point is the rotor drive belt. These transfer massive amounts of power so when they become worn or stretched, these belts have a major effect on efficiency. The last inspection point is the augers. Damage to these structures can harm grain and be inefficient. Check delivery, cleaning and unloading augers for rolled edges, sharp edges or damaged flighting. TLC for tractors While doing winter maintenance on planters and combines is usually the first thing that comes to mind, making sure tractors receive a little TLC is just as important for the upcoming season. Some of the first inspection points recommended by Case IH are the belts, engine air filters and cab air filters. Whether it’s squealing belts, engine lag or poor cab air quality, making sure these items are inspected and replaced if needed is crucial to tractor efficiency. Other areas to inspect are the battery, fluids and filters. Hard starts, sluggish performance or loss of power decreases a tractor’s efficiency and ability to get a job done. Ensuring these areas are examined will keep farmers moving during the busy season. The last inspection point is grease. By ensuring the quality of this checkpoint, costly downtime can be avoided. Using a grease joint rejuvenator will quickly break up and dissolve blockages in grease joints without having to replace fittings. While it is half way through winter, Case IH experts also offer tips on how to store equipment during harsh winter weather. The first is to always store equipment with a full fuel tank. Empty tanks are prone to water condensation, which can lead to bacteria growth in the fuel system. Another tip is to check fluids. Fluids can be corrosive fallout and abrasives that could eat away at parts if left for long periods. Also make sure antifreeze is up to par for the winter. Lastly, to help maintain battery life during long storage months, ensure a safe and efficient charger is ready to go. Doing routine maintenance checks during the winter can save time this spring when the busy growing season gets under way. If you still are a little foggy on where to start, Jennings and Hagen have the solution. They suggest asking the local dealership for checklists. These lists usually give a good maintenance overview of what needs to be done during the winter. Source - http://www.theprairiestar.com/

27.01.2014

UK - Cereal crops 'facing yellow rust epidemic'

UK - Cereal crops 'facing yellow rust epidemic'Many cereal crops could be facing a yellow rust epidemic this spring unless early action is taken. The disease has thrived due largely to a relatively mild winter combined with a large area of susceptible varieties in the ground nationally. Forecast colder weather in February could give crops some respite, but it is likely to be too little too late given the level of inoculum present. Yellow rust has the potential to be a devastating disease if you don’t get on top of it early. That was clearly illustrated in 2012.Many cereal crops could be facing a yellow rust epidemic this spring unless early action is taken, according to leading agronomists Hutchinsons. The disease has thrived due largely to a relatively mild winter combined with a large area of susceptible varieties in the ground nationally, says the firm’s technical manager Dick Neale. “The writing’s on the wall this season. There are already some heavy yellow rust infections out there and where the disease is not obviously identified in a crop the inoculum is still likely to be present because we haven’t had any hard frosts to knock the disease back.” More virulent strains of yellow rust also mean it is increasingly not just the classic yellow rust areas around eastern counties and The Wash that are at risk. The disease can be found almost anywhere given the right conditions and in a wider range of varieties, he warns. “The most common Solstice strain has been around for several years, but it is the stronger Warrior strain that is of more concern now because it survives much better at low and high temperature extremes and mutates every year, so don’t discount any variety from potentially being at risk.” Forecast colder weather in February could give crops some respite, but it is likely to be too little too late given the level of inoculum present. “We’d need a prolonged period of hard frosts (-8 degrees Celsius or below) to knock the disease back significantly.” Mr Neale advised growers to monitor all crops for yellow rust from now on, especially susceptible varieties , and not to assume yellow patches are simply due to herbicide damage or nutrient stress. “History tells us that official disease ratings can quickly change from one season to the next, so don’t discount any variety from being affected by yellow rust. Where you think there is a problem the key is to intervene early,” he says. In most cases the main control will come from the growth stage 30-31 (T0) fungicide, but there may be a case to treat high-risk crops earlier than this with a fast-moving rust-active triazole from February onwards, he says. “If you can get on early then it is possible to take quite a lot of disease out with a relatively low, cost-effective dose. For example, about a half-rate of cyproconazole or tebuconazole can deliver good results.” A strobilurin should be included at T0 and possibly again at T1 if yellow rust is still a threat, he adds. “Yellow rust has the potential to be a devastating disease if you don’t get on top of it early. That was clearly illustrated in 2012, which was the only year we have seen zero yield from untreated trial plots and that was all due to yellow rust in susceptible varieties.” “The yellow patches initially looked like herbicide effect, but on closer inspection we soon realised it was yellow rust. A lot of the land around here gets affected by sea mists and increased humidity, while there are also a lot of higher yielding susceptible varieties in the ground where disease can get a foothold.” Spraying early on heavily affected crops proved to be a worthwhile investment. “Disease pressure remains in lots of crops, although over the Christmas period we did not see an explosion of disease despite the continued mild weather,” he notes. “But we’re monitoring the situation very closely and will go with a T0 of tebuconazole or cyproconazole where it is needed, although hopefully a prolonged cold snap could reduce pressure significantly. “Yellow rust is not so hard to eradicate providing you get it early and don’t let the disease get established.” Source - http://www.farminguk.com/

27.01.2014

Australia - Darling Downs sorghum in desperate need of soaking rain

Australia - Darling Downs sorghum in desperate need of soaking rainRain in southern Qld over the past week has been patchy at best and while there have been of up to 100 mm in parts, other areas have missed out. The best rain fell in the latter part of last week, following on from a belting from days of 40 degree heat. It's pulled it right out of the fire at the moment, most of the sorghum planted this year, was planted in December, which is very late for the Darling Downs, and they were suffering really badly in the hot conditions.Rain in southern Qld over the past week has been patchy at best and while there have been of up to 100 mm in parts, other areas have missed out. AgForce grains president Wayne Newton says rain is desperately needed but recent have falls have saved late planted sorghum crops. "The best rain fell in the latter part of last week, following on from a belting from days of 40 degree heat," he said."It's pulled it right out of the fire at the moment, most of the sorghum planted this year, was planted in December, which is very late for the Darling Downs, and they were suffering really badly in the hot conditions." Wayne Newton says the whole area is in need of good soaking rain, everyone is really hanging out there, 'we have had one of the most extraordinarily dry springs and the first part of the summer.' He says good rain would at least save what crop is in the ground. Mr Newton says there is a real shortage of feed grain through out the state and prices have sky-rocketed. Source - http://www.abc.net.au/

27.01.2014

USA - 2013 was a variable year for Wisconsin weather and crop production

USA - 2013 was a variable year for Wisconsin weather and crop productionIt was a mixed bag of weather and crop production in Wisconsin last year. A wet spring gave way to drought conditions in some parts of the state in late summer. Cooler than normal temperatures throughout the year posed another challenge for the state’s farmers. The lack of heat and moisture kept crop development indications consistently behind normal. Above-average temperatures and rains in September and early October helped alleviate moisture shortages and push crops toward maturity.It was a mixed bag of weather and crop production in Wisconsin last year. A wet spring gave way to drought conditions in some parts of the state in late summer. Cooler than normal temperatures throughout the year posed another challenge for the state’s farmers. “The lack of heat and moisture kept crop development indications consistently behind normal,” according to an annual report from the Wisconsin field office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. “Above-average temperatures and rains in September and early October helped alleviate moisture shortages and push crops toward maturity.” The average yield on corn for grain was 146 bushels per acre, up from 121 bushels per acre in 2012, according to the report. Corn for silage came in at 16.5 tons per acre, a nearly 8 percent increase from the 2012 yield of 14.5 tons per acre. National corn for grain yield averages came in at 158.8 bushels per acre. Fewer soybean areas were planted in Wisconsin last year and the average yield dipped 9 percent from 41.5 bushels per acre in 2012 to 38 bushels per acre last year. Nationally, soybean yield is estimated at 43.3 bushels per acre. • Winter wheat production in Wisconsin dipped 16 percent to 15.4 million bushels in 2013. • Oat production, at 6.83 million bushels, was down 13 percent from 2012. • Barley production increased 19 percent to 784,000 bushels. • Wisconsin farmers harvested 1.10 million acres of alfalfa and alfalfa dry hay last year, a roughly 5 percent increase from 2012. • Wisconsin saw saw a dip in potato yields last year but still managed to produce 27.3 million hundredweight, ranking the state third in fall potato production behind Idaho and Washington. Source - http://www.postcrescent.com/

27.01.2014

USA - Texas Panhandle drought on record streak

USA - Texas Panhandle drought on record streakThe Texas Panhandle is in the middle of a record streak, but it’s certainly no cause for celebration. The past three calendar years in the Panhandle have been the driest three calendar years on record. That’s drier than 1954 to ’56 — the previous record — by three inches, or 10 percent. The next driest was ’33 to ’35 during the Dust Bowl. On a broader scale, the current drought has still not matched the record one in the 1950s.The Texas Panhandle is in the middle of a record streak, but it’s certainly no cause for celebration. “The past three calendar years in the Panhandle have been the driest three calendar years on record,” said Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon. “That’s drier than 1954 to ’56 — the previous record — by three inches, or 10 percent. The next driest was ’33 to ’35 during the Dust Bowl.” On a broader scale, the current drought has still not matched the record one in the 1950s. “This current drought started more intensely than in the ’50s. But it’s run over a shorter time,” said Justyn Jackson, a meteorologist at the Amarillo office of the National Weather Service. That office has recorded about 34.5 inches of precipitation for the past three years compared to a normal total of 61 inches. That includes the record of just more than seven inches in 2011, when it should have been about 20 inches. Looking ahead, it seems to be more of the same. The Climate Prediction Center’s latest forecast said the region’s drought will at least linger through April, and it may strengthen. That prediction includes areas of the eastern Texas Panhandle that had shaken their drought status and were merely ranked “abnormally dry.” The drought has already shown recent signs of spreading and deepening, according to a map released Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor. The areas of extreme and exceptional drought are larger than on the previous week’s map, with parts of Dallam, Hartley, Sherman, Moore, Oldham, Potter, Randall, Carson and Deaf Smith counties in those two most extreme categories of drought. December’s and January’s precipitation numbers show the trend continued — even taking into account that this is normally the dry time of year — with about half the normal precipitation. Nielsen-Gammon expects the area to climb out of the deep freeze within a week or so, but the dryness likely will continue. “We still have a generally warm Atlantic Ocean, and that tends to mean dry conditions,” he said. “An El Nino (warmer water in the tropical Pacific Ocean) is looking possible, but it’s hard to say.” Winter wheat that isn’t irrigated — a major crop in this region — has been struggling and is waiting for moisture. Texas A&M AgriLife Research wheat breeder Jackie Rudd and AgriLife Extension small grains specialist Clark Neely said the lack of moisture is a major problem, and there may not be any dryland wheat without moisture soon. Average cash receipts for wheat, dryland and irrigated, totaled $303 million a year in the region from 2005-2008, according to a report by Extension Economist Steve Amosson. Farmers irrigate about half of all wheat acres in the region. Source - http://amarillo.com/

27.01.2014

USA - Drought continues in Kansas

USA - Drought continues in Kansas Dry conditions continue to affect most of state because of the lack of moisture and it’s not something that Kansas farmers want to hear, but relief could be in sight. Latest satellite and radar from the National Weather Service show that parts of Kansas could be seeing some rain in the forecast, but that’s only if mother nature decides to cooperate. Recent winter storms that hit the north and eastern parts of the country brought below freezing temperatures and a lot of snow – moisture that Kansas desperately needs. Dry conditions continue to affect most of our state because of the lack of moisture and it’s not something that Kansas farmers want to hear, but relief could be in sight. Latest satellite and radar from the National Weather Service show that parts of Kansas could be seeing some rain in the forecast, but that’s only if mother nature decides to cooperate. “We could be getting into a more favorable pattern for rain,” said Ken Cook, National Weather Service Meteorologist. “It looks like moisture is on the horizon for the area.” Recent winter storms that hit the north and eastern parts of the country brought below freezing temperatures and a lot of snow– moisture that Kansas desperately needs. “It has missed us,” said Cook. “Most of the precipitation has been well off to the north or east of our region of the country.” The U.S. Drought Monitor map for Kansas shows that 95% if the state is dry with around 47% in a moderate drought and 34% in a severe drought. The severe drought is affecting only the western half of the state. “Obviously drought is an issue,” said Cook. “The wheat crop is a concern and the other thing is fire concerns.” Crops and soil specialist at Kansas State argues dry conditions will continue to hurt farmers if the weather pattern doesn’t act in our favor. “We’ve had problems with blowing issues and soil erosion on that way,” said Lucas Haag, Kansas State University. “A lot of the concerns about this wheat crop, fall strands, and how we’re going to be coming into the spring.” “It’s been drier than normal recently, but as it was last winter things could really change on the dime,” said Cook .”You’ll get a lot of precipitation in fact last year was one of our most snowier years even though it started relatively dry.” Source - http://ksn.com/

24.01.2014

Australia - Vineyard owners worried about potential water restrictions

Australia - Vineyard owners worried about potential water restrictionsIf the debilitating drought continues, farmers and ranchers with rights to California’s creeks, rivers and lakes may be ordered to stop drawing the water that is vital to agricultural operations. Emergency drought declaration, among other things, put water rights holders on notice that they may be directed to cease taking surface water. The order is a further blow to grape growers along the Russian River basin who already fear that one of the worst droughts on record will ravage their crops.If the debilitating drought continues, farmers and ranchers with rights to California’s creeks, rivers and lakes may be ordered to stop drawing the water that is vital to agricultural operations. That is the message Gov. Jerry Brown sent last week in his emergency drought declaration that, among other things, put water rights holders on notice that they may be directed to cease taking surface water. The order is a further blow to grape growers along the Russian River basin who already fear that one of the worst droughts on record will ravage their crops. The State Water Resources Control Board is evaluating the level of waterways around the state, said John O’Hagan, the board’s enforcement manager. If flows get too low, officials will tell water rights holders to turn off the tap. “This is a fluid process,” O’Hagan said. “It is happening throughout the state. We will make a determination (on curtailment) within a short time.” The curtailment will affect newer water right holders first and could continue until those with more senior water rights are told to stop taking water from rivers and creeks, he said. The Sonoma County Water Agency, which provides Russian River water to 600,000 residents and is a senior water rights holder in the Russian River watershed, is assessing how the governor’s order could affect its operations, spokesman Brad Sherwood said. The agency has been preparing for drought since last year, the driest on record, Sherwood said. “We fully support the governor’s declaration,” he said. “Our region has been proactive. We want to lead the charge on this issue.”The state water board curtailed water rights during epic droughts of 1976-77 and 1987-88, O’Hagan said. Non-compliance with the order would be met with a fine of up to $500 per day. Grape growers, who have had only about 2 inches of rain since July 1 — 13 percent of normal — are worried about losing an important source of water for frost protection and irrigation. Jim Murphy, who owns 170 acres of vineyards along the Russian River near Geyserville, said the state shouldn’t touch people’s water rights. “It’s not the right move,” he said. “The water rights come with the land and they need to stay with the land. We want to protect our water rights.” Vineyard managers already are considering extreme measures to protect the vines including trucking in water and reducing the fruit from the upcoming crop. Duff Bevill, who manages 1,000 acres in the Alexander Valley, Dry Creek and Russian River Valley, said if the drought persists, a whole year’s harvest could be lost. “The next step is to reduce the crop,” he said. “If it gets worse, the next step is to forget about the crop; do what you can to save the vineyard and look to next year. You can’t help but plan for the worst.” Sonoma County Winegrowers, an industry group, is convening a meeting with growers and water managers Feb. 4 to talk about the drought emergency, said president Karissa Kruse. She said there has been an increase in growers buying crop insurance and that the 2014 crop could produce less wine than in average years. The lack of rain combined with unseasonably balmy weather could cause an early bud break, she said. That could expose the vine at a delicate stage to greater risk of frost, which is harder to protect against when water supplies are limited. “Clearly there’s a lot of concern among growers right now,” she said. “It’s nice to enjoy the sun, but we’re all doing the rain dance.” Tito Sasaki, president of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, said farmers and ranchers who have water rights could suffer if curtailment is ordered. Ranchers already truck in expensive water to arid pastures and buy feed for livestock. Sasaki recognizes that the state has a role to play in drought relief, but doesn’t want water rights to be compromised.“In emergencies, some unusual measures might be necessary,” he said. “But we don’t want to set the wrong precedent so that we permanently lose our water rights.” Small operations, such as 10-acre Arista Winery in Healdsburg that relies on the Russian River to feed its wells, are worried about losing that water. Matt Courtney, head winemaker for Arista, said curtailing water rights would render winemaking more difficult, and winery management has talked about trucking in water. “My main concern is to make the highest quality wine,” he said. “I need water to do that. But I’m kind of torn. I understand that elected officials need to make decisions for the betterment of society as a whole.” Source - http://geyserville.towns.pressdemocrat.com/

24.01.2014

USA - Texas crop, weather: Dry weather promotes fieldwork, slows winter forage growth

USA - Texas crop, weather: Dry weather promotes fieldwork, slows winter forage growthExcept for a very few showers, Texas remained dry during mid-January. Warm and windy weather in conjunction with the dry weather, which further dried out topsoils. For some areas, such as the East, Central, North and Southeast regions, the dry weather was somewhat welcome for those needing to get back into fields to prepare for spring plantings. For other regions, the dry, windy weather stressed winter forages and slowed or stopped growth.Except for a very few showers, Texas remained dry during mid-January, according to the National Weather Service and reports from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service personnel. Many AgriLife Extension personnel reported warm and windy weather in conjunction with the dry weather, which further dried out topsoils. For some areas, such as the East, Central, North and Southeast regions, the dry weather was somewhat welcome for those needing to get back into fields to prepare for spring plantings. For other regions, the dry, windy weather stressed winter forages and slowed or stopped growth. “Deaf Smith County producers are in a hold mode for the time being,” said Rick Auckerman, AgriLife Extension agent for Deaf Smith County, west of Amarillo. “The winter wheat crop is holding for now, with the pivots stopped for the time being. The dryland wheat crop is also holding on for now with little hope of Mother Nature helping out any time soon.” “With the wind staying in the 20 mph range daily, it is drying out our topsoil very quickly,” said Gary Roschetzky, AgriLife Extension agent for Dawson County, south of Lubbock. “Our area has not seen any rainfall or precipitation in over 28 days. With that, producers are starting to lose hope about this upcoming year and how planting season is going to turn out. Our pasture land is starting to look more like a set up for fire to break out anytime soon.” “Conditions in Hardeman County remain dry; wheat producers have achieved a stand on about 85 percent of acres planted and are waiting on the remaining 15 percent to emerge,” said Steven Sparkman, AgriLife Extension agent for Hardeman County, northwest of Wichita Falls. “Very few cattle are on wheat at this time.” “Many cattle producers were able to turn cattle back on wheat pastures this week after the cold and damp weather,” said Rick Maxwell, AgriLife Extension agent for Collin County, northeast of Dallas. “Wheat and winter annual pastures are doing very well at this time.” “Temperatures have been mild this week, giving cool season forages a chance to dry out and have some growth,” said Randy Reeves, AgriLife Extension agent for Harrison County, north of Longview. “Cattle remain in good to excellent condition; hay feeding and supplementation continues.” “Extremely dry conditions this week kept irrigation producers applying irrigation water to all crops including small grains,” said Marcelino Valdez Jr., AgriLife Extension agent for Zavala County, in the Winter Garden area, southwest of San Antonio. “Spinach fields were reported to be in good to excellent condition. Wheat and oats also made good progress following irrigation water applications.” AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries: Central: A wet winter turned dry in January. Winter rains were needed to help replenish pond and lake levels. Some areas reported frosty nights. There were reports of oat fields damaged by the December freeze, but the crop was expected to rebound with warmer weather. Native winter grasses and cool season forages were not growing. However, small grains looked good, and it was dry enough for corn and sorghum producers to get in fields to apply weed control. Mild winter temperatures may result in some early green up. Some non-native ornamental plants were blooming three weeks early. Some producers were spraying for insects in winter. Ryegrass in pastures looked good. All cool-season plant growth slowed because of cool nights. Producers continued to provide supplemental feed, primarily hay and protein, to livestock. Row crop farmers were applying fertilizer to fields that will be planted in corn and grain sorghum this spring. Coastal Bend: Farmers returned to doing fieldwork in preparation for spring planting. Warm temperatures and dry weather were the norm for the region. Soil moisture diminished during January. Wheat made good progress. Some fields were in good shape for spring planting; others needed more moisture. Livestock producers continued providing supplemental feed for cattle. Some producers were applying pre-plant fertilizers. East: The weather was windy and mild, giving cool-season forages a chance to dry out and grow after incurring damage from earlier freezes. Several counties reported winter pastures had not been planted due to earlier wet conditions. Those who had been able to plant reported good stands. Hay supplies were adequate. Cattle were in good to excellent condition, with continued hay and supplemental feeding. Cows were calving. Cotton planting will begin when fields dry out. Farmers were taking soil tests on hay fields, pastures and gardens. Some farmers were planting onions. Reports of feral hog activity and damage were ongoing. Far West: The region had fair, dry and windy weather, with highs in the mid-60s and lows in the 30s. Winter wheat was beginning to show signs of stress from the combined effects of dry soils, and warm days and freezing weather at night. Fall planted onions were at three leaf stage and still dormant. Pastures continue to decline, but producers were maintaining the condition of livestock with supplemental feed. Supplemental feeding will likely continue for the next 60 days. Consumption of mineral supplements continued to be high. Some herds began to calve. North: Soil moisture continued to range from adequate to surplus across the region. Temperatures were in the mid-50s to mid-60s. This warmer weather helped dry out fields and pastures. Many cattle producers were able to turn cattle back on wheat pastures this week after the earlier cold and damp weather. Cattle were in good condition, and livestock producers in some counties were still providing supplemental feed. Corn producers were getting equipment ready to start planting in a few weeks, depending upon the weather. Wheat and winter annual pastures were doing well. Feral hog activity was still a problem in Kaufman and Morris counties. Panhandle: The region was dry and windy with near average temperatures. Soil moisture continued to be rated mostly very short to short. Irrigated wheat was in fair to good condition. Some farmers were applying fertilizer in preparation for spring crops. Rangeland and pastures were in very poor to poor condition, with most counties reporting very poor. There were a few stocker cattle put out to graze on irrigated small grains fields but less than normal due to the drought. Rolling Plains: High winds and above-normal temperatures made already dry conditions worse. The cotton harvest neared completion, with irrigated acres producing above-average yields and dryland acres producing below average yields. Farmers were preparing fields for spring planting. Wheat was starting to look very bad. Earlier planted wheat looked better than later planted wheat. Rangeland, pastures and field crops all needed more moisture. Runoff water was needed to fill local tanks and lakes. Some livestock were in good condition, with producers feeding hay and protein cubes. South: The region had cool nights and warm days with very windy conditions. No significant rainfall or precipitation was reported by any county. Soil moisture in the northern parts of the region was 60 to 100 percent short. Rangeland and pastures were in fair condition as there was some earlier recovery from drought conditions. Some areas, such as southern McMullen County, remained drought stressed. Frio County reported poor rangeland and pasture conditions due in part to the lack of rain and persistent windy conditions. Also in Frio County, potato planting was in full swing, and wheat and oats under irrigation continued to develop. Livestock supplemental feeding was steady. In the eastern part of the region, very windy conditions dried subsoil and topsoil moisture. In the western part of the district, there was not much field activity except in Zavala County, where producers were irrigating all crops. Zavala County spinach fields were in good to excellent condition. Also in that county, cabbage harvesting resumed, and wheat and oats were in fair condition. Livestock producers were providing supplemental protein. In the southern part of the region, farmers were preparing land for spring planting. Cameron County onion crops were progressing well. In Hidalgo County, citrus and vegetable growers were harvesting their crops. In Starr County, fall vegetable crops were progressing well. South Plains: The region had dry, windy and warm weather with a few cold snaps mixed in. No counties reported any precipitation. The winds were blowing dust. The National Weather Service in Lubbock issued several hazardous weather alerts for extreme wildfire danger for most counties. The cotton harvest and ginning were finished except for a few stragglers. Winter wheat was in dire need of rain. Pasture and rangeland that hadn’t been overgrazed earlier looked good. Fewer stocker cattle were being turned out on wheat pasture due to lack of moisture. Farmers were doing general fieldwork in preparation for next year’s cotton crop. However, some producers were beginning to lose hope for a profitable 2014 cotton crop without rain soon. Southeast: The region was generally dry with warmer weather. Though winter annuals needed a good rain, the dry weather allowed producers to do fieldwork in preparation for spring planting. In Montgomery County, hay supplies were good. Soil moisture throughout the region varied widely, mostly in the adequate range, with some counties reporting from 30 percent short to as much as 100 percent surplus. Rangeland and pasture ratings varied widely too, from poor to excellent, with fair to good ratings being the most common. In Brazoria County, livestock were in good condition. In Chambers County, more dry weather was needed before fieldwork could be done. Orange County reported consistently cool weather with low humidity and a trace of rain. Southwest: Drought conditions persisted, with high winds and above-average temperatures. Rain was forecast along with an approaching cold front. Rain was needed to continue winter pasture growth and to improve soil moisture and other crops. Winter wheat and oats continued to be in good condition, as were livestock. Cattle, sheep and goat sale prices climbed while feed costs dropped. West Central: Drought conditions continued with a very high risk of wildfire. Days were warm, dry and windy with chilly nights. The warm, dry days allowed producers to get a lot of work done, from building and repairing fences to brush clearing. Farmers were also shredding cotton stalks and preparing fields for spring planting. Soil moisture was very short. The cotton harvest was mostly completed with average to good yields reported. Most winter wheat was off to a fair start but could use a good rain. Some wheat was set back by the December ice storm and hard freezes. Most fields recovered but some went dormant. About 50 percent of oats froze out in some areas during the hard freeze. Remaining oats were doing fair but also needed moisture. Rangeland and pastures were declining due to lack of soil moisture. All forages showed signs of stress and slowed growth. Livestock remained in fair condition with increased supplemental feeding. Source - http://www.ntxe-news.com/

24.01.2014

Why limes in Mexico have suddenly tripled in price

Why limes in Mexico have suddenly tripled in priceWhat’s guacamole without the lime? Fresh lime is an indispensable part of Mexican cuisine, but it’s getting harder to stomach its price. Lime prices have jumped from under 10 pesos ($0.75) per kilo (2.2 pounds) last month to nearly 30 pesos per kilo in Mexico, rising by as much as 200% in some parts of the country. As recently as 2012, the going price was closer to 8 pesos per kilo. Climate change and cartel warfare are mainly to blame for the lime price hike. The polar weather gripping North America has crept into much of Mexico and been deleterious to the country’s lime growers. What’s guacamole without the lime? Fresh lime is an indispensable part of Mexican cuisine, but it’s getting harder to stomach its price. Lime prices have jumped from under 10 pesos ($0.75) per kilo (2.2 pounds) last month to nearly 30 pesos per kilo in Mexico, rising by as much as 200% in some parts of the country. As recently as 2012, the going price was closer to 8 pesos per kilo. Climate change and cartel warfare are mainly to blame for the lime price hike. The polar weather gripping North America has crept into much of Mexico and been deleterious to the country’s lime growers. At least three of the country’s biggest lime-producing states, Colima, Guerrero and Oaxaca, have already suffered from shrinking harvests (link in Spanish) related to the poor weather. “If prices rise, my information suggests it has to do with the climate,” Mexico’s economics secretary Ildefonso Guajardo said last week. And the high prices could continue through the winter. Meanwhile, escalating violence in Michoacán, one of the country’s most important citrus-growing regions, has made harvesting and transporting limes harder. In some cases, gangs have demanded makeshift taxes from growers and distributors in the region, which drives up production costs that are passed on to consumers. In others, distributors have refused to transport limes to and from the area. Lime prices in Mexico City suffered a similar fate last year, jumping from 8 pesos per kilo to 40 pesos per kilo at one point. Lime prices also suffered dearly when cargo theft jumped 50% from 2009 to 2010, which jacked up insurance prices for trucking companies transporting, among other things, limes. Some markets in Mexico City were forced to sell limes for over 58 pesos per kilo, or more than quadruple the ordinary rate. Source - http://qz.com/

24.01.2014

India - A double whammy for cotton farmers

Failure of monsoon and higher incidence of disease has hit cotton growers hard in Tiruchi and Perambalur districts. Cotton is raised in a cluster of villages bordering Tiruchi and Perambalur districts. Just as the uneven rainfall experienced by the villages bordering Perambalur, the damage suffered too varied from village to village or even from field to field within a firka, said S. Raja Chidambaram, State secretary, Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam. A new disease had hit cotton crops in the region and Bt cotton growers had suffered severe loss due to the disease. “We have not witnessed such disease in the past and the State government should conduct an exclusive study on Bt cotton and evolve remedial measure,” he said. The worst affected are the cotton growers in and around Pullampadi. Karunanidhi, councillor, who raised the issue at the district panchayat council meeting held here recently, said that the cotton growers had lost the crop for the second consecutive season. Although the State government had sanctioned some relief for the loss suffered in 2012, the insurance companies had not disbursed any indemnity for that period (2012). For the current season, he sought adequate relief from the State government and indemnity from the insurance companies. He said that about 30,000 acres had been damaged in and around Pullampadi. A farmer of Thaapaai village bordering Tiruchi and Pullampadi, R.Dharmaraj (32) said that he had invested Rs.15,000 to raise cotton on his one-and-a-half acres. Although he anticipated a return of Rs.50,000, he could realise only Rs.20,000. Source - http://www.thehindu.com/India - A double whammy for cotton farmersFailure of monsoon and higher incidence of disease has hit cotton growers hard in Tiruchi and Perambalur districts. Cotton is raised in a cluster of villages bordering Tiruchi and Perambalur districts. Just as the uneven rainfall experienced by the villages bordering Perambalur, the damage suffered too varied from village to village or even from field to field within a firka. A new disease had hit cotton crops in the region and Bt cotton growers had suffered severe loss due to the disease.

24.01.2014

Australia - Destructive winds wipe out crops to Toowoomba's west

TOOWOOMBA may have copped a drenching, but farmers west of the Garden City barely saw a drop. Instead, intense winds knocked out crops almost ready for harvest, flattening hopes of a decent yield and reprieve from tight conditions. Norwin farmer Graham Clapham said about 80 per cent of his corn crop due to be harvested next week had been wiped out in Thursday's storm. He said less than 1mm of rain had been recorded on his property near Cecil Plains. "We had some irrigated corn that finished up prematurely due to the dry weather and intense heat, and it was still looking to be a reasonable crop, but about 80 per cent of it has been blown over," he said. "I'm hoping we'll still be able to pick it up to harvest it. "The weather hasn't been kind to us at all." Mr Clapham described waking up to news of 70mm and more falls to the east of Cecil Plains as tormenting. "It was so close," he said. "It still looks overcast and still feels good, so we can only hope we might share in some of it. "We haven't had any useful rain since July last year and that is quite unusual. "Combined with that is the fact we've had more than our fair share of heat and wind." He said the dry and hot conditions had pushed the corn and cotton harvests forward by at least a month. Source - http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/Australia - Destructive winds wipe out crops to Toowoomba's westToowoomba may have copped a drenching, but farmers west of the Garden City barely saw a drop. Instead, intense winds knocked out crops almost ready for harvest, flattening hopes of a decent yield and reprieve from tight conditions. About 80 per cent of corn crop due to be harvested next week had been wiped out in Thursday's storm. Less than 1mm of rain had been recorded on his property near Cecil Plains. The dry and hot conditions had pushed the corn and cotton harvests forward by at least a month.

24.01.2014

USA - 95 percent of Kansas needs moisture

USA - 95 percent of Kansas needs moistureDrought conditions in Kansas are increasing again after a relatively wet fall had brought some relief to the Sunflower State. About 95 percent of Kansas was abnormal as of Thursday and about 47 percent was in at least moderate drought. Only the southeast corner of the state was classified as having a normal level of moisture. Shawnee County and most of the eastern half of Kansas was classified as abnormally dry, but not yet in drought. That is the classification the drought monitor uses for areas entering or leaving a drought, where dryness is having some effect on crops and pastures.Drought conditions in Kansas are increasing again after a relatively wet fall had brought some relief to the Sunflower State. About 95 percent of Kansas was abnormal as of Thursday, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and about 47 percent was in at least moderate drought. Only the southeast corner of the state was classified as having a normal level of moisture. The last time when more than half of the state had normal levels of moisture was Nov. 12. The U.S. Drought Monitor releases a weekly report on general conditions. Before that, the last time the majority of Kansas had normal levels of moisture had been May 15, 2012. Shawnee County and most of the eastern half of Kansas was classified as abnormally dry, but not yet in drought. That is the classification the drought monitor uses for areas entering or leaving a drought, where dryness is having some effect on crops and pastures. Conditions generally worsened as you moved west in Kansas, with about 13 percent of the state in moderate drought, meaning there may be some damage to crops and water sources are low; 28 percent in severe drought, meaning water shortages are common and loss of crops is likely; and 5 percent in extreme drought, meaning water shortages are widespread and the area has experienced major crop losses. Though most of the state is still too dry, the worst-hit areas have seen some relief. No part of Kansas has been listed as in exceptional drought — the most severe category — since Sept. 10. Drought conditions appeared to peak between November 2012 and February 2013, when at least one-third of the state was in exceptional drought for 14 straight weeks. The National Weather Service isn’t predicting any significant chance of precipitation in the Topeka area or most of Kansas for the next seven days, though the Dodge City area has a 20 percent chance of snow Monday. Source - http://cjonline.com/

23.01.2014

Emergency measures to control blowing soil from wind erosion

Kansas is no stranger to howling winds, but blowing soil has caused serious problems in northwest Kansas this winter, creating concern for the remainder of the winter and spring, said DeAnn Presley, K-State Research and Extension soil management specialist. The blowing soil problem stems largely from high winds coupled with a lack of residue cover, she said. November through April is the peak time for soil erosion by wind. Long term, keeping more crop residue on the soil surface or having living vegetation year-round through the use of cover crops, will keep soil in place during conditions such as those experienced recently, Presley said. For now, however, there are some emergency measures producers and landowners can take to try to reduce wind erosion and blowing soil problems this winter and spring. - Mulching. If wind erosion has already started, it can be reduced by mulching with manure or other anchored plant materials such as straw or hay. To be effective, at least 1.5 to 2 tons per acre of straw or grass or 3 to 4 tons per acre of corn or sorghum stover are needed to control areas of erosion, and the straw or hay must be anchored. Residue can be spread by hand, spreader or other mechanical equipment. A stubble puncher or disk set straight may be used to anchor residue and prevent it from being blown away. Wet manure application should be 15 to 20 tons per acre and not incorporated into the soil. Care should be taken to not add wheel paths parallel to the wind direction as the mulch is applied. Traffic areas and wheel paths can contribute to wind erosion. Generally, mulches are practical only for small areas, so mulching is most effective when applied before the soil starts to move. Producers should scout fields to identify areas that might be susceptible to wind erosion (low vegetation cover and a high proportion of erodible-sized clods less than the thickness of a dime) if they plan to use mulch or manure to controls. - Emergency Tillage. Emergency tillage is a last-resort method that can be effective if done promptly and with the right equipment. The goal of emergency tillage is to make the soil surface rougher by producing resistant clods and surface ridges. A rough surface reduces wind speed. The larger clods and ridges resist movement and provide traps to catch the moving soil particles. Chisels with single or only a few tool ranks are frequently used to roughen the soil surface. The combination of chisel point size, speed, and depth that produces the roughest surface with the most firm, resistant clods should be used for emergency tillage. Research has shown that a narrow chisel (2 inches wide) on 24- to 54-inch spacing, operated 3 to 6 inches deep will usually bring enough resistant clods to the surface to control erosion on fine-textured (clay-based) soils. A medium shovel (4 inches wide) can be effective for medium-textured soils (loamy soils). Spacings should typically be narrower where there is no cover and wider in areas of partial cover, such as a growing crop or plant residue. If erosion conditions recur or persist, a second, deeper chiseling should split the first spacing. Tillage passes should be made perpendicular to the direction of the prevailing wind causing the erosion. If emergency tillage is to be used in growing crops that are covered by crop insurance, producers should check with their insurance providers regarding emergency tillage insurance rules, Presley said. Performing emergency, clod-forming tillage across the field is effective in reducing wind erosion, she added. "The degree of success of emergency tillage depends greatly on climatic, soil and cover condition. It is often not necessary to till the entire field, but rather, it is very effective to perform emergency tillage passes across 50 percent of the field by tilling a pass, leaving a pass, and repeating. Narrow chisel spacing, 20 to 24 inches, is best for this method," Presley said. If 50 percent of the area has been tilled and wind erosion persists, the omitted strips can be emergency-tilled in a second operation to make result in full-cover tillage, she added. If a second tillage pass is needed, it should be at a greater depth than the first pass. Wide chisel spacings are used in the full-field coverage method, Presley said. The space between chisel grooves can be chiseled later should wind erosion persist. All tillage operations should be perpendicular or across the direction of the prevailing or eroding wind. For most of Kansas, this means that an east-west direction of tillage is likely best, she said. The best wind erosion control is created with maximum surface roughness when resistant clods cover a major portion of the surface. "Research shows that lower travel speeds of 2 to 3 miles per hour generally produce the largest and most resistant clods. However, speeds of 5 to 7 mph produce the greatest roughness. Because clod resistance is usually reduced at higher speeds, the effect may not be as long-lasting as at lower speeds. As a result, higher speeds are recommended where erosion is already in progress, while lower speeds might be a better choice in anticipation of erosion," Presley explained. The depth of tillage usually affects clod stability more than travel speed, but optimum depth is highly dependent on soil conditions - such as moisture level - and compaction. Deeper tillage passes can produce more resistant clods than shallow passes, she said. If the problem is severe and the wheat has already been destroyed or the ground is bare, chisels 4 to 6 inches wide on a 24- to 30-inch spacing will generally provide enough clods to control erosion, Presley said. Operating depth should be 4 to 6 inches in that case. Tips for effective emergency tillage For effective emergency tillage to control wind erosion, DeAnn Presley, K-State Research and Extension soil management specialist, offered recommendations: - Watch the weather forecast for periods of high winds, particularly when soils are dry. - Assess residue and plant cover prior to the wind blowing, and take preventive action with emergency tillage. It is much easier to prevent the problem from starting than to stop erosion after it begins. If you wait, the soil only gets drier and some moisture is needed to form clods. - Use the combination of tractor speed, tillage depth, and chisel point size that will produce the roughest surface with the most resistant clods. If wind erosion is anticipated, do some test tillage prior to an erosion event to see what tillage tool, depth, and speed will provide adequate clods and surface roughness. - Always start at the upwind location when the field is blowing. A sufficient area upwind of the eroding spot should be tilled, in addition to the area presently blowing. - Till in a direction perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction. For row crop areas it may be necessary to compromise direction and follow the row pattern. Source - http://www.midwestproducer.com/Kansas is no stranger to howling winds, but blowing soil has caused serious problems in northwest Kansas this winter, creating concern for the remainder of the winter and spring. The blowing soil problem stems largely from high winds coupled with a lack of residue cover, she said. November through April is the peak time for soil erosion by wind. Long term, keeping more crop residue on the soil surface or having living vegetation year-round through the use of cover crops, will keep soil in place during conditions such as those experienced recently. Emergency measures to control blowing soil from wind erosion