Agroinsurance

India - As sea rise threatens farmlands, scientists study saltwater plants as crops for future

India - As sea rise threatens farmlands, scientists study saltwater plants as crops for futureOn a sun-scorched wasteland near India's southern tip, an unlikely garden filled with spiky shrubs and spindly greens is growing, seemingly against all odds. The plants are living on saltwater, coping with drought and possibly offering viable farming alternatives for a future in which rising seas have inundated countless coastal farmlands. Sea rise, one of the consequences of climate change, now threatens millions of poor subsistence farmers across Asia. On a sun-scorched wasteland near India's southern tip, an unlikely garden filled with spiky shrubs and spindly greens is growing, seemingly against all odds. The plants are living on saltwater, coping with drought and possibly offering viable farming alternatives for a future in which rising seas have inundated countless coastal farmlands. Sea rise, one of the consequences of climate change, now threatens millions of poor subsistence farmers across Asia. As ocean water swamps low-lying plots, experts say many could be forced to flee inland. "It's hard to imagine how farmers will live," said Tapas Paul, who as a World Bank official helped channel about $100,000 to help build the small garden a decade ago in a swampy, seaside town dominated by salt flats in southern Tamil Nadu state. "In the places subject to inundation and sea level rise, there are few options." A team of Indian scientists is searching for solutions to what they describe as a fast-approaching agricultural crisis. Their neatly plotted rows of naturally salt-tolerant plants, known as halophytes, could be a part of the answer. The scientists from the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation are also trying other approaches: tweaking genes and cross-breeding plants by conventional means to discover which might grow and even flourish. "Sea level rise is inevitable, and we are not prepared," said Swaminathan, who pioneered high-yield wheat and rice varieties for India in the 1960s. "The biggest problem in India is just the very large population. We can say people can relocate, but where could we even accommodate all those who need to move inland?" Source -http://www.foxnews.com

Poland - Farmers struggle with effects of drought

Poland - Farmers struggle with effects of droughtDrought causes loses in Poland's grain harvest, other crops and animal breeders affected Up to a million hectares of land could be affected by drought following weeks of record high temperatures in Poland. According to European Union estimates, in 2014 agriculture provided 5.4 percent of Poland's GDP and land used for farming makes up approximately 60 percent of its territory. Special committees have already been set up in 12 of the country's 16 provinces to estimate the damages.Drought causes loses in Poland's grain harvest, other crops and animal breeders affected Up to a million hectares of land could be affected by drought following weeks of record high temperatures in Poland. According to European Union estimates, in 2014 agriculture provided 5.4 percent of Poland's GDP and land used for farming makes up approximately 60 percent of its territory. Special committees have already been set up in 12 of the country's 16 provinces to estimate the damages. One of the hardest hit was the Gardeja municipality, where drought generated crop losses have reached up to 50 percent. Jerzy Rutkowski, Gardeja agriculture inspector: "In our municipality of Gardeja, losses due to drought for the spring grains reach about 50 percent, while for the winter grains they are between 20 and 30 percent." According to trade union estimates, the drought has also led to a 20 percent drop in milk production. Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, farmer: "Pastures have dried up. Mainly for animal breeders there is a problem with fodder and the maintenance of animals. I have to feed the animals with fodder that was put away for winter." Poland's Prime Minister announced earlier the government will take measures to assist farmers who have suffered losses from the drought. Source -http://uatoday.tv/

USA - Potato psyllid found in 79% of field samples

USA - Potato psyllid found in 79% of field samplesLast week, Washington State University Extension researchers found the potato psyllid insect on 79 percent of field samples throughout the Lower Columbia Basin, up from 60 percent the week before and 50 percent the week before that. Each sample contained an average of 3.1 psyllids, up from 0.6 the week before. The psyllids, which feed on potato leaves, “are a big deal because they can transmit a bacterium to potatoes that causes zebra chip disease,” said a WSU professor and regional vegetable specialist in Moses Lake.Last week, Washington State University Extension researchers found the potato psyllid insect on 79 percent of field samples throughout the Lower Columbia Basin, up from 60 percent the week before and 50 percent the week before that. Each sample contained an average of 3.1 psyllids, up from 0.6 the week before. The psyllids, which feed on potato leaves, “are a big deal because they can transmit a bacterium to potatoes that causes zebra chip disease,” said Carrie Wohleb, a WSU professor and regional vegetable specialist in Moses Lake. She and her colleagues are testing the psyllids they collect for the zebra chip bacterium. So far, fewer than 1 percent of the bugs tested this year have been carriers of the disease. Zebra chip causes symptoms similar to other diseases and so is difficult to diagnose. She recommends that farmers use insecticides to help control the pests. The psyllid is just one of the insects Wohleb and others in a statewide potato insect monitoring network observe. The potato growers of Washington, through a grant from the Washington State Potato Commission, fund the network. Source -http://www.freshplaza.com

India - Maharashtra using drones, satellites to assess crop damage

India - Maharashtra using drones, satellites to assess crop damageThere are drones flying over the fields in Marathwada region, assessing crop losses due to deficit rainfall, as the Maharashtra government turns to technology to ensure timely intervention and compensations for farmers in an area notorious for farmer suicides. Private weather forecaster Skymet is using drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to map 51 villages of Marathwada under a pilot project of the BJP-led state government, officials said. There are drones flying over the fields in Marathwada region, assessing crop losses due to deficit rainfall, as the Maharashtra government turns to technology to ensure timely intervention and compensations for farmers in an area notorious for farmer suicides. Private weather forecaster Skymet is using drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to map 51 villages of Marathwada under a pilot project of the BJP-led state government, officials said. The state has also started cloud seeding on a pilot basis in the Marathwada region to create artificial rains. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh governments, too, are expected to soon start using lowcost drones to assess crop losses. Confirming the use of drones, Maharashtra agriculture commissioner Vikas Deshmukh said, "The state government has decided to carry out pilot projects for assessing crop yields using different technologies from four different companies." Reinsurance giant Swiss Re and Climate Change for Agriculture, a not-for-profit organisation based in Delhi, are also participating in the project to assess 186 villages in the state, using drones and satellite imagery. Maharashtra, the country's richest state, also accounts for the highest number of farmer suicides, with the worst-hit regions being Marathwada and Vidarbha. And this monsoon season, Marathwada is among the areas that received lowest rains with seasonal rainfall deficit of 44% as of Friday. As per data provided by government officials, 6,000 hectares of agriculture land will be covered in the first phase of the project. Skymet will use drones in Osmanabad rural, Bembli and Jagjee to assess the crop. "We have asked Skymet to carry out their pilot during the kharif as well as the rabi season, for which we have identified the dominant crops in each circle.The objective of these studies is to get a technology that will help assess village level yields of crops," said Deshmukh. Jatin Singh, CEO at Delhi-based Skymet Weather Services, said his team had started the project last week. "Since Marathwada seems to be heading for a drought, the state government has come out with a project that involves using ANIRBAN drones to assess crop loss. The idea is to identify what each farmer has grown or what each and every farmer has lost," he said. Singh also said that the Maharashtra government has promised plot-based settlement of insurance claims for farmers. "By next year, the government wants to cover 500 villages," he said. Agri-product industries have their own systems of collecting data. But the production estimate by the governments is the main source of this data, which also influences the import and export decisions of the central government. Crop-cutting exercise carried out by the state governments is the main method of measuring the expected crop output from the standing crop. The arrival figures from the government-run APMCs (agricultural produce market committees) is also used to assess the likely production of most of the commodities. Source -http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

USA - MT crop production highlights for August 2015

Based on August 1 conditions, oat production in Montana is forecast at 1.21 million bushels, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. This forecast is down 8 percent from the July 1 forecast but up 10 percent from the 2014 crop. Acreage harvested is expected to total 22,000 acres, up 6,000 acres from the 16,000 acres harvested last year. Oat yield is forecast at 55.0 bushels per acre, down 5.0 bushels from the July 1 forecast and down 14.0 bushels from last year. As of August 2, Montana’s oat crop condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 11 percent excellent. Oats turning color were at 85 percent complete, compared with 53 percent last year and the 5-year average of 53 percent. Barley production is forecast at 47.30 million bushels, up 4 percent from the July 1 forecast and up 6 percent from last year’s crop. The area for harvest in 2015, at 860,000 acres, is up 90,000 acres from the 770,000 acres harvested last year. Barley yield is forecast at 55.0 bushels per acre, up 2.0 bushels from July 1 but 3.0 bushels below last year. As of August 2, the barley crop condition was rated 3 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 11 percent excellent. Barley harvest was 25 percent complete, compared with 1 percent last year and the 5-year average of 4 percent. Winter wheat production is forecast at 94.30 million bushels, unchanged from the July 1 forecast but up 3 percent from the 91.84 million bushels produced last year. Estimated acreage for harvest, at 2.30 million acres, is unchanged from July 1 but 60,000 acres more than the 2.24 million acres harvested in 2014. As of August 1, the average yield is forecast at 41.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from the July 1 forecast, and even with last year’s final yield. As of August 2, the winter wheat crop condition was 2 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 35 percent good, and 21 percent excellent. Winter wheat harvest was 70 percent complete, compared with 35 percent last year and the 5-year average of 20 percent. Durum wheat production is forecast at 17.98 million bushels, up 7 percent from the July 1 forecast and up 35 percent from the 13.33 million bushels produced last year. Estimated acreage for harvest, at 620,000 acres, is unchanged from July 1 but 190,000 acres more than the 430,000 acres harvested in 2014. As of August 1, the average yield is forecast at 29.0 bushels per acre, 2.0 bushels above the July 1 forecast but 2.0 bushels below last year’s final yield. As of August 2, the durum wheat crop condition was rated 8 percent very poor, 46 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 29 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. Durum wheat turning color was at 87 percent complete, compared to 20 percent last year and the 5-year average of 27 percent. Spring wheat production in Montana is forecast at 85.25 million bushels, down 3 percent from the July 1 forecast and down 18 percent from the 104.30 million bushels produced last year. Estimated acreage for harvest, at 2.75 million acres, is unchanged from July 1 but down 230,000 acres from the 2.98 million acres harvested in 2014. As of August 1, the average yield is forecast at 31.0 bushels per acre, 1.0 bushel below the July 1 forecast and 4.0 bushels below last year’s final yield. As of August 2, the spring wheat crop condition was rated 4 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 44 percent good, and 9 percent excellent. Spring wheat turning color was at 94 percent complete, compared with 68 percent last year and the 5-year average of 45 percent. Montana farmers and ranchers expect to harvest 1.90 million acres of alfalfa hay this year, up 50,000 acres from 2014. They also expect to harvest 900,000 acres of other hay in 2015, up 20,000 acres from last year. Alfalfa production is forecast at 3.42 million tons, down 12 percent from 3.89 million tons produced in 2014. Other hay production is forecast at 1.71 million tons, up 14 percent from 1.50 million tons a year ago. Yields are expected to average 1.80 tons per acre for alfalfa and 1.90 tons per acre for other hay, compared to last year’s yields of 2.10 tons per acre for alfalfa hay and 1.70 tons for other hay. Dry bean production for 2015 is forecast at 810,000 hundredweight, up 34 percent from the 603,000 hundredweight produced a year earlier. Yields are expected to average 1,800 pounds per acre, up from 1,630 pounds per acre last year. Growers expect to harvest 45,000 acres this year, up 8,000 acres from 37,000 acres last year. Sugarbeet production is forecast at 1.34 million tons, down 7 percent from 1.43 million tons produced in 2014. Growers expect to harvest 43,800 acres this year compared with 44,400 a year ago. Yields are expected to average 30.6 tons per acre, down from 32.3 tons per acre a year ago. Source - http://www.theprairiestar.com

India - Crop insurance scheme appears to have failed to rescue farmers in distress

The weather-based crop insurance scheme does not seem to have come to the rescue of farmers, who suffered losses in potato cultivation in Hassan last year. Of the total Rs. 7.03 crore paid as premium to the insurance company, the farmers could claim only Rs. 1.67 crore. As many as 25 farmers of Hassan have committed suicide since April this year. A majority of them were potato growers, who suffered losses due to late blight disease. Last year, the government insisted that farmers go for weather-based insurance scheme, assuring that it would help them in times of crop loss. As many as 10,676 growers paid the premium to avail themselves of the benefits of the insurance scheme. As per the data obtained from T. Ramachandraiah, Joint Director of Agriculture Department, the total premium paid by farmers in 2014 was Rs. 3.51 crore. An equal amount was contributed by the government as subsidy. Altogether, Rs. 7.03 crore was paid as premium to cover 8,228.4 ha of land to the Agriculture Insurance Company of India. The insured amount was Rs. 58.06 crore. As many as 10,698 farmers, in return, got Rs. 1.67 crore in the form of claims. On an average, each farmer got around Rs. 1,500. “The weather-based insurance scheme does not help the farmer,” commented B.R. Satyanarayana, a farmer and member of Hassan Zilla Panchayat. Under this scheme, a hobli is treated as one unit. “Even if a farmer has lost the crop entirely, his chances of getting the benefit are very less. If a vehicle owner insures his vehicle and meets with an accident or loses his vehicle, he won’t commit suicide. The insurance company will take care of the vehicle. Why not the same standard be followed in the case of agricultural sector?” he asked. The insurance company made a profit of nearly Rs. 5.3 crore by insuring potato in Hassan district. Farmers paid the premium because the government insisted on it. “One of my friends took crop loan from a commercial bank. The bank was not prepared to sanction the loan till he agreed to insure his crop. The government’s policies help the company earn profit at the cost of poor farmers,” he alleged. However, this year, the State government has not notified insurance for potato in Hassan. Mr. Ramachandraiah said, the government had not announced the scheme for potato. “We have not collected premium this year as there is no insurance cover,” he added. The weather-based crop insurance scheme does not seem to have come to the rescue of farmers, who suffered losses in potato cultivation in Hassan last year. Of the total Rs. 7.03 crore paid as premium to the insurance company, the farmers could claim only Rs. 1.67 crore. As many as 25 farmers of Hassan have committed suicide since April this year. A majority of them were potato growers, who suffered losses due to late blight disease. Last year, the government insisted that farmers go for weather-based insurance scheme, assuring that it would help them in times of crop loss. As many as 10,676 growers paid the premium to avail themselves of the benefits of the insurance scheme. As per the data obtained from T. Ramachandraiah, Joint Director of Agriculture Department, the total premium paid by farmers in 2014 was Rs. 3.51 crore. An equal amount was contributed by the government as subsidy. Altogether, Rs. 7.03 crore was paid as premium to cover 8,228.4 ha of land to the Agriculture Insurance Company of India. The insured amount was Rs. 58.06 crore. As many as 10,698 farmers, in return, got Rs. 1.67 crore in the form of claims. On an average, each farmer got around Rs. 1,500. “The weather-based insurance scheme does not help the farmer,” commented B.R. Satyanarayana, a farmer and member of Hassan Zilla Panchayat. Under this scheme, a hobli is treated as one unit. “Even if a farmer has lost the crop entirely, his chances of getting the benefit are very less. If a vehicle owner insures his vehicle and meets with an accident or loses his vehicle, he won’t commit suicide. The insurance company will take care of the vehicle. Why not the same standard be followed in the case of agricultural sector?” he asked. The insurance company made a profit of nearly Rs. 5.3 crore by insuring potato in Hassan district. Farmers paid the premium because the government insisted on it. “One of my friends took crop loan from a commercial bank. The bank was not prepared to sanction the loan till he agreed to insure his crop. The government’s policies help the company earn profit at the cost of poor farmers,” he alleged. However, this year, the State government has not notified insurance for potato in Hassan. Mr. Ramachandraiah said, the government had not announced the scheme for potato. “We have not collected premium this year as there is no insurance cover,” he added. Source - http://www.thehindu.com/

USA - Small grain harvest progresses rapidly across ND

USA - Small grain harvest progresses rapidly across NDWarm and dry weather over most of North Dakota caused the small grain harvest to advance at a rapid pace, according to USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service’s weekly crop condition report that was prepared for the week ending Aug. 9, 2015. The downside of the current weather pattern is the fact that the later season row crops are starting to show some signs of moisture stress, and no significant rainfall was forecast for the week ending Aug. 16.Warm and dry weather over most of North Dakota caused the small grain harvest to advance at a rapid pace, according to USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service’s weekly crop condition report that was prepared for the week ending Aug. 9, 2015. The downside of the current weather pattern is the fact that the later season row crops are starting to show some signs of moisture stress, and no significant rainfall was forecast for the week ending Aug. 16. The service said, on the average, 6.1 days were suitable for fieldwork and the moisture shortages are starting to show up in the soil moisture reports. As of Aug 9, topsoil moisture supplies in the state were rated at 2 percent very short, 23 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were said to be 1 percent very short, 18 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Crop conditions Harvesting of the winter wheat crop was 24 percent finished as of Aug. 9, which is well above the 3 percent figure posted last year at this time. The condition of the winter wheat crop was listed as 1 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 53 percent good and 9 percent excellent. It was also noted that 19 percent of the lentil crop was harvested. The pre-pile sugarbeet campaign will likely start in the latter part of August, and the condition of the crop at this time is rated at 79 percent good to excellent. (A table listing the latest growth stage and condition of the crop for the major commodities grown in the state is attached as part of this article.) The small grain harvest in Ramsey County is well underway, according to Bill Hodous, county Extension agent. He estimates about half to three-quarters of the barley harvest was complete as of Aug. 10, and the wheat harvest was just beginning. Some of the barley crop did receive some wind damage a few weeks ago when high winds moved through the area and he noted the six-row varieties seemed to suffer more damage than the two-row varieties. “The quality of the barley crop has been all over the board,” Hodous said. “It seems like those who used a fungicide are finding quite a bit less vomitoxin, however that doesn’t necessarily hold true. Yields have been average to above average.” The few harvest reports obtain from wheat growers thus far were indicating yields in the average to above average range with some proteins coming in around average, while some are reporting high protein levels and others a little less than average. The growing conditions started on the wet side until about mid-July, but since then moisture has been pretty scarce. The small grains have basically been made, but Hodous said soil moisture is starting to become a very critical factor for the pinto and soybean crops in the area. “Our bean crops up here are really showing the effects of needing some water,” he said. “If we don’t get some soon we are definitely going to need to make some adjustments on our yields for the pinto and soybean crops. “The beans had been looking pretty decent and the corn crop still looks tremendous, but we are going to need a little water to get there warm season crops finished off and the way the temperatures sound for this week, that isn’t going to help matters at all.” Central/western North Dakota Harvest is in “full force” across most of the state, but as small grains come off the fields, later season crops are in need of some more moisture. “It’s similar to most places – it’s hot and dry and guys are going full bore,” said Erik Eriksmoen, research agronomist at the North Central Research Extension Center in Minot, during his Aug. 12 report. Eriksmoen said a good portion of the peas and barley are done and coming off the field, while spring wheat and durum will follow the week after. Later season crops like corn and soybeans are in desperate need of some moisture, according to Eriksmoen. “Soybeans look nice at this point, but they could really use a drink of water,” he said. “Corn looks nice as well. I’m guessing by the end of the week we will need a good shot of rain for those crops.” As for small grain quality, Eriksmoen said it looks like spring wheat and durum are seeing a fair amount of scab. “It could very well be an issue again this year,” he said. “There are also some aphids. I see a few now and then, but not that high of numbers. It’s something for guys to keep an eye on.” There are also some aphids present down in the south-central region of the state. “The soybeans are still looking good, but I’ve heard there are a few aphids in the area so guys should go out and scout for those,” said Crystal Schaunaman, McIntosh County Extension agent. Schaunaman said farmers are getting all their winter wheat and barley off their fields and a lot of the oats have been baled up already. “Corn is looking good, flowers are starting to bloom and some canola fields are starting to dry down already, so everything is looking good.” Harvest is going strong in the Williston area as well. “Harvest is in full force,” said Jerry Bergman, NDSU Williston REC director. “I think every farmer is thrashing now and getting the spring wheat, barley, lentils, peas – the whole gamut.” Grain yields in the area have been dependent on how much rainfall was received by each farmer, as moisture was variable throughout the region during the growing season. “The grain yields are yielding average to very good depending on who got the timely rains and who didn’t,” said Bergman. While harvest is moving rapidly throughout the state, the southwest portion of the state is off to a little slower start. “We started last week pretty hard and then we got some rain which slowed it down, but they’re back at it now,” said Andrea Bowman, Bowman County Extension agent. Wheat harvest in the area is going to be delayed compared to the majority of the state due to the crop staying a little green in spots. “The wheat is a little green yet,” said Bowman. “It looks ripe until you get out into the fields and see some green out there yet. It will still be a little while till that’s in full swing.” Livestock conditions The NASS report indicates the second cutting of alfalfa is now about 75 percent harvested, well ahead of last year’s 40 percent pace at this time and the five-year average (2010-2014) of 55 percent. The alfalfa crop is listed as 2 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 48 percent good and 9 percent excellent. Pasture and rangeland conditions in the state were said to be 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 56 percent good and 9 percent excellent. Stock water supplies were rated at 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 82 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. For the most part, grazing conditions in Ramsey County have been quite favorable this summer and, despite the lack of recent rains, have been holding up pretty well, Hodous noted. However, this year’s hay crop is going to be 30 to 40 less than what they normally harvest. “Finding enough hay may be a little more difficult this year, but the quality of what is harvested will be really good,” Hodous said. “The coolness we experienced early this spring and the fact that the rain dried up in the middle of this summer lowered our hay yields.” He noted that with more producers using cell grazing during the summer months, that practice has actually raised production levels on rangeland. Source -http://www.farmandranchguide.com

Germany - Spotted-wing drosophila strips fields bare

Germany - Spotted-wing drosophila strips fields bareThe spotted-wing drosophila is spreading in Hesse. Experts warn for a massive multiplication of the pest. Fruit farmers and wine makers are very concerned for their fruit harvest. The fly is especially insidious, for it lays its eggs in ripe fruit so that within a short time it becomes inedible. Many species of fruit are affected: cherries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, apricots. How dangerous is the spotted-wing drosophila really? The Hesse radio has met with fruit farmers and spoken with experts. The spotted-wing drosophila is spreading in Hesse. Experts warn for a massive multiplication of the pest. Fruit farmers and wine makers are very concerned for their fruit harvest. The fly is especially insidious, for it lays its eggs in ripe fruit so that within a short time it becomes inedible. Many species of fruit are affected: cherries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, apricots. How dangerous is the spotted-wing drosophila really? The Hesse radio has met with fruit farmers and spoken with experts. Source -http://www.freshplaza.com

USA - Indiana's crops suffer while much of US expects big harvest

USA - Indiana's crops suffer while much of US expects big harvestRecord summer rains have damaged roughly a quarter of Indiana's soybean and corn crops, an estimated $400 million loss that led federal officials Wednesday to declare much of the state a "disaster area." At the same time, farms in other parts of the U.S. are projecting record yields. Indiana farmers are getting hit with a "double whammy," state agriculture Director explained, saying not only are they suffering a loss in both crops, but that high yields elsewhere have driven down market prices.Record summer rains have damaged roughly a quarter of Indiana's soybean and corn crops, an estimated $400 million loss that led federal officials Wednesday to declare much of the state a "disaster area." At the same time, farms in other parts of the U.S. are projecting record yields. Indiana farmers are getting hit with a "double whammy," state agriculture Director Ted McKinney explained, saying not only are they suffering a loss in both crops, but that high yields elsewhere have driven down market prices. "This has been a tough year," McKinney said Wednesday after appearing at a Purdue University agriculture forum at the Indiana State Fair. "Unfortunately it's our turn to be in the barrel, and unfortunately it was a water barrel this year." Purdue agriculture economist Chris Hurt predicted Indiana's corn crop loss at $290 million, with a corresponding loss of about $110 million from soybeans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's "disaster area" declaration means farmers in 88 of Indiana's 92 counties are eligible for low-interest emergency loans because of the heavy rains and flooding since May 1. In some northern areas of the state, soybean yields are down roughly 5 percent. "You get south of Fort Wayne and it got hit very, very bad," Hurt said. Still, not all areas of the state have been damaged — some were spared, according to Shaun Casteel, a Purdue soybean specialist. Some of southern Indiana's farmers will see increased yields of 4.5 to 5 percent, Casteel said. Soybean crops could make somewhat a recovery if conditions improve in the 45 days, Casteel said. West and north of Indiana, record yields are expected in Iowa, Minnesota, the Dakotas and Nebraska. "They started strong and just kept climbing," Hurt said. Still, McKinney said markets move in cycles and he predicted that more difficult years may be on the horizon. "I think we're in for this for another two, three, four years," said McKinney. Source -http://www.news-sentinel.com

USA - Storms ‘doing farms no good’

Hot and dry Maltese summers may conjure up images of farmers eagerly anticipating the rain but the unseasonal storms of the last few days have done crops no good whatsoever, say the farmers. “We farmers still stick to the old calendar,” said Anna Zahra, president of the Ta’ Qali market committee. “We typically start bringing crops in on the feast of St Bartholomew on August 24, so this rain has been very bad for farmers.” Over the last week, sea temperatures of 29 degrees Celsius, well above the norm for August, caused thundery clouds to form and expand rapidly over the Maltese islands, leading to strong winds and thunderstorms. Ms Zahra said that for farmers in Rabat, where her family has fields, the rain has wreaked havoc with the harvest of onions, which have to be stored dry. Onions from Rabat, she explained, are known for their long shelf life due to a traditional harvest method, but the unexpected storms have caught farmers off guard. “We say that xita f’April tiswa karru deheb fin [April rains are worth a cart-load of gold] but rains at this time of year can actually damage the fields’ surface.” Paul Abela, a full-time farmer from Burmarrad, said fields in the area had been spared the worst of the rain. “The storms have been passing quickly and the wind dries it up very fast. As long as the rainfall doesn’t exceed 10mm, I don’t expect there to be a lot of damage,” he said. Mr Abela, whose main priority at the moment is the harvest of Chardonnay grapes, explained that the increased humidity could lead to a faster spread of disease among crops, as well as a loss of sugar levels. However, as the Chardonnay vines had already been treated, he said, this was unlikely to be a major issue. John Gauci, from the Farmers Central Cooperative Society, said that the tomato crop would also be affected and could spoil quicker due to the rains. He added, however, that this was not the first time farmers have had to contend with such wet weather. “The problem is that it’s so out of season, but the effect in the past has not been catastrophic.” Source - http://www.timesofmalta.com/

USA - August 12 Crop Production: Agricultural Summary

USA - August 12 Crop Production: Agricultural SummaryA band stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains through the southern Great Plains in Oklahoma and northern Texas and into the middle Mississippi and Ohio River valleys had areas recording over 200 percent of normal precipitation for the month of July. In the eastern Corn Belt, additional rainfall on already saturated soils made it difficult to complete summer fieldwork and deteriorated crop conditions. Areas in southern California recorded over 800 percent of normal precipitation for the month providing minor relief to severe drought conditions in the region. July Agricultural Summary A band stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains through the southern Great Plains in Oklahoma and northern Texas and into the middle Mississippi and Ohio River valleys had areas recording over 200 percent of normal precipitation for the month of July. In the eastern Corn Belt, additional rainfall on already saturated soils made it difficult to complete summer fieldwork and deteriorated crop conditions. Areas in southern California recorded over 800 percent of normal precipitation for the month providing minor relief to severe drought conditions in the region. Monthly average temperatures more than 4°F above normal in the Pacific Northwest and portions of California, Oregon, and Washington and under 0.5 inch of precipitation during the month exacerbated dry conditions in the region. Slightly below-average temperatures across most of the northern Great Plains and the Corn Belt kept row crop progress slightly behind historical levels. By June 28, corn silking was estimated at 4 percent complete, equal to last year but 4 percentage points behind the 5-year average. All estimating States except Michigan observed silking progress at or behind the 5-year average at the beginning of the month. Corn silking advanced to 27 percent complete by July 12, four percentage points behind last year and 7 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Despite below-average temperatures in most of the major corn-producing regions, silking progress advanced more than 20 percentage points during the second week of the month in Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Seventy-eight percent of the corn crop was at or beyond the silking stage by July 26, three percentage points ahead of last year and slightly ahead of the 5-year average. Above-average temperatures in the northern Corn Belt advanced silking progress more than 35 percentage points during the week ending July 26 in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. By July 26, fourteen percent of the corn crop was at or beyond the dough stage, slightly behind last year and 3 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Ninety percent of the corn was at or beyond the silking stage by August 2, two percentage points ahead of last year and slightly ahead of the 5-year average. By August 2, twenty-nine percent of the Nation's corn crop was at or beyond the dough stage, 4 percentage points behind last year and 2 percentage points behind the 5-year average. In eleven of the eighteen major estimating States, the percentage of the crop in the dough stage was behind the 5-year average at month's end. Overall, 70 percent of the corn was reported in good to excellent condition on August 2, up 2 percentage points from June 28 but 3 percentage points below the same time last year. By June 28, ninety-three percent of the Nation's sorghum was planted, slightly ahead of last year but 2 percentage points behind the 5-year average. By June 28, twenty-one percent of the sorghum crop was at or beyond the heading stage, equal to last year but 2 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Major heading progress was limited to Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, but a small percentage of the crop was heading in the more northern States of Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma at the beginning of July. By July 19, thirty-three percent of the sorghum was at or beyond the heading stage, 7 percentage points behind last year and 2 percentage points behind the 5-year average. By July 19, twenty percent of the sorghum was at or beyond the coloring stage, 5 percentage points behind last year and 4 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Sorghum producers in Texas continued to treat for sugarcane aphids. By August 2, fifty-seven percent of the Nation's sorghum was at or beyond the heading stage, 3 percentage points ahead of last year and 4 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Due to above-normal temperatures and adequate precipitation, one-third of the Kansas sorghum crop was headed by the end of the month. Nationally, 29 percent of this year's crop was at or beyond the coloring stage by August 2, five percentage points behind last year and slightly behind the 5-year average. Overall, 68 percent of the sorghum was reported in good to excellent condition on August 2, unchanged from the beginning of the month but 9 percentage points better than at the same time last year. Heading of this year's oat crop advanced to 83 percent complete by June 28, sixteen percentage points ahead of last year and 12 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Heading was at or ahead of the 5-year average at the beginning of the month in all estimating States except Pennsylvania. By July 5, heading of the Nation's oat crop advanced to 92 percent complete, 14 percentage points ahead of last year and 10 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Oat heading progress was 33 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average in North Dakota and 21 percentage points ahead in Minnesota on July 5. By July 19, producers had harvested 16 percent of the Nation's oat crop, up slightly from last year but 7 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Harvest progress was behind the 5-year average in all estimating States except South Dakota and Texas by July 19. Oat producers had harvested 43 percent of this year's crop by August 2, five percentage points ahead of last year but 5 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Overall, 68 percent of the oats were reported in good to excellent condition by month's end, compared with 67 percent on June 28 and 63 percent at the same time last year. Heading of the Nation's barley crop advanced to 62 percent complete by June 28, thirty-three percentage points ahead of last year and 36 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Ninety-five percent of the barley was at or beyond the heading stage by July 12, fifteen percentage points ahead of last year and 26 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Heading progress was at least 13 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average in all five estimating States on July 12. By July 26, barley producers had harvested 5 percent of the Nation's crop, 2 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. By August 2, barley producers had harvested 17 percent of the Nation's crop, 9 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Overall, 68 percent of the barley was reported in good to excellent condition on August 2, down 5 percentage points from June 28 but 2 percentage points above the same time last year. By June 28, producers had harvested 38 percent of the winter wheat crop, 4 percentage points behind last year and 8 percentage points behind the 5-year average. By July 5, fifty-five percent of the winter wheat was harvested, equal to last year but 4 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Despite harvest progress advancing 17 percentage points Nationally during the first week of July, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio remained at least 20 percentage points behind their respective State 5-year averages for harvest progress. Overall, 40 percent of the winter wheat was reported in good to excellent condition on July 5, down from 41 percent in the two categories on June 28 but 9 percentage points higher than at the same time last year. By July 19, seventy-five percent of this year's winter wheat crop was harvested, slightly ahead of both last year and the 5-year average. By the third week of the month harvest progress was well ahead of normal in the Pacific Northwest, 35 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average in Oregon and 29 percentage points ahead in Washington. Conversely, wet conditions continued to slow harvest progress in the eastern Corn Belt, 51 percentage points behind the 5-year average in Michigan and 35 percentage points behind in Ohio. By August 2, producers had harvested 93 percent of the 2015 winter wheat crop, 4 percentage points ahead of last year and 8 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. By June 28, forty-nine percent of the spring wheat crop was at or beyond the heading stage, 25 percentage points ahead of last year and 20 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Ninety-one percent of the spring wheat was at or beyond the heading stage by July 12, twenty-five percentage points ahead of both last year and the 5-year average. Sunny conditions facilitated rapid development in Montana, with heading advancing 27 percentage points during the second week of the month. By July 26, two percent of the spring wheat crop was harvested, slightly ahead of last year but 3 percentage points behind the 5-year average. By August 2, eight percent of the spring wheat was harvested, 5 percentage points ahead of last year but 3 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Overall, 70 percent of the spring wheat crop was reported in good to excellent condition on August 2, down 2 percentage points from June 28 but equal to the same time last year. By June 28, sixteen percent of the rice crop was at or beyond the heading stage, 8 percentage points ahead of last year and 7 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Heading of the rice crop advanced to 25 percent complete by July 5, nine percentage points ahead of last year and 10 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Forty percent of this year's rice crop was at or beyond the heading stage by July 19, nine percentage points ahead of last year and 7 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Louisiana producers reported that some rice was nearing maturity and several fields had been drained by the third week of the month. Heading of the Nation's rice crop advanced to 63 percent complete by August 2, six percentage points ahead of last year and 4 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Heading progress was ahead of average in all of the major rice-producing States during the final week of the month except Texas. Overall, 70 percent of the rice was reported in good to excellent condition on August 2, up 2 percentage points from June 28 but slightly below than the same time last year. Nationally, 89 percent of the soybean crop was emerged by June 28, four percentage points behind last year and 5 percentage points behind the 5-year average. By June 28, eight percent of the soybean crop was blooming, slightly behind both last year and the 5-year average. At the beginning of the month progress was most advanced in the Mississippi Delta, with 69 percent blooming in Louisiana, 43 percent in Mississippi, and 42 percent in Arkansas. By July 5, ninety-three percent of the soybean crop had emerged, 4 percentage points behind both last year and the 5-year average. Missouri continued to lag the rest of the Nation, with just 73 percent planted and 60 percent emerged by July 5. Nationally, 21 percent of the soybeans were at or beyond the blooming stage on July 5, slightly behind last year but equal to the 5-year average. Fifty-six percent of this year's soybeans were at or beyond the blooming stage by July 19, slightly behind last year but equal to the 5-year average. All major estimating States had double-digit blooming advances during the week ending July 19 except Louisiana. By July 19, seventeen percent of the soybean crop was setting pods, slightly behind last year but equal to the 5-year average. By August 2, eighty-one percent of this year's soybean crop was at or beyond the blooming stage, 3 percentage points behind last year and 2 percentage points behind the 5-year average. By August 2, fifty-four percent of the soybeans were at or beyond the pod-setting stage, equal to last year but 5 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Pod setting advanced by more than 20 percentage points during the final week of the month in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas. Overall, 63 percent of the soybean crop was reported in good to excellent condition on August 2, unchanged from June 28 but 8 percentage points below the same time last year. Thirty-two percent of the peanut crop was pegging by June 28, seven percentage points ahead of last year and 8 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. By July 12, fifty-nine percent of the peanuts had advanced to the pegging stage, slightly ahead of last year and 4 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Double-digit advances in the pegging stage were observed during the second week of the month in all major estimating States except South Carolina and Texas. Seventy-three percent of the peanut crop was pegging by July 19, two percentage points ahead of last year and 6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Eighty-eight percent of the peanut crop was pegging by August 2, two percentage points behind last year but slightly ahead of the 5-year average. Pegging in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas was nearly complete by month's end. Overall, 75 percent of the peanut crop was reported in good to excellent condition on August 2, compared with 71 percent on June 28 and 72 percent at the same time last year. By June 28, eighty-nine percent of the sunflower crop was planted, slightly behind last year and 2 percentage points behind the 5-year average. By July 5, ninety-eight percent of the Nation's sunflower crop was planted, slightly ahead of last year and 2 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. In North Dakota, sunflowers were rated 79 percent in the good to excellent categories on July 5, five percentage points below the same time last year. Nationally, 35 percent of the cotton crop was squaring by June 28, slightly ahead of last year but 5 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Nationally, 5 percent of this year's cotton crop was setting bolls by June 28, slightly behind last year and 3 percentage points behind the 5-year average. By July 5, forty-eight percent of this year's cotton was at or beyond the squaring stage, 3 percentage points behind last year and 7 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Nationally, 10 percent of the cotton was setting bolls by July 5, slightly behind last year and 4 percentage points behind the 5-year average. By July 19, seventy-six percent of this year's cotton was at or beyond the squaring stage, 7 percentage points behind last year and 5 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Warm weather spurred cotton development in the central United States, with squaring progress advancing 44 percentage points during the third week of the month in Oklahoma and 26 percentage points in Missouri. Nationally, 33 percent of the crop was setting bolls by July 19, three percentage points behind both last year and the 5-year average. Nationally, 92 percent of the cotton was at or beyond the squaring stage by August 2, two percentage points behind last year and the 5-year average. By August 2, bolls were setting on 57 percent of the Nation's crop, 8 percentage points behind last year and 7 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Overall, 57 percent of the cotton was reported in good to excellent condition on August 2, up slightly from June 28 and 4 percentage points better than the same time last year. Source -http://www.agweb.com

Georgia - Increased investment inflow to the agricultural sector

Georgia - Increased investment inflow to the agricultural sectorAccording to preliminary estimations, in the Ist quarter of 2015 the agricultural and fishery industries of Georgia received 1.806 mln USD of investments, reported the National Statistics Office of Georgia. It is worth noting that in the same period of 2014, the reporting direction received 1.295 mln USD of investments, whereas during the whole 2014 the specified index totaled 19.09 mln USD. According to preliminary estimations, in the Ist quarter of 2015 the agricultural and fishery industries of Georgia received 1.806 mln USD of investments, reported the National Statistics Office of Georgia. It is worth noting that in the same period of 2014, the reporting direction received 1.295 mln USD of investments, whereas during the whole 2014 the specified index totaled 19.09 mln USD. You can discuss the prospects of development of the agricultural sector of Georgia, and investment attractiveness of the industry, within frames of the international conference Georgia Agro Forum 2015, to be held on November 19, in ExpoGeorgia, Tbilisi. Source -http://www.apk-inform.com/

Ukraine - Hot weather negatively affects the condition of late crops

Ukraine - Hot weather negatively affects the condition of late crops The current abnormally hot weather conditions in Ukraine negatively affect the condition of late crops, especially corn areas, and do not allow to begin planting works of winter crops, declared Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, on August 12. The general daytime temperatures at +35°C in the Western and Central Ukraine became the problematic issue for winter crops planted areas. Therefore, agrarians faced significant troubles to start planting of rapeseed and winter crops, he added.The current abnormally hot weather conditions in Ukraine negatively affect the condition of late crops, especially corn areas, and do not allow to begin planting works of winter crops, declared Oleksiy Pavlenko, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, on August 12. The general daytime temperatures at +35°C in the Western and Central Ukraine became the problematic issue for winter crops planted areas. Therefore, agrarians faced significant troubles to start planting of rapeseed and winter crops, he added. The Minister expressed the hope that in the nearest future weather conditions in the country would improve. We should note that during recent weeks, Ukraine faced abnormally high air temperatures. Source -http://www.apk-inform.com

USA - Wyoming crop production since August 1

USA - Wyoming crop production since August 1Based on August 1 conditions, barley production in Wyoming is forecast at 6.96 million bushels, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. This forecast is up 4 percent from the July 1 forecast and up 3 percent from last year’s crop. The area for harvest in 2015, at 65,000 acres, is up 2,000 acres from the 63,000 acres harvested last year. Barley yield is forecast at 107.0 bushels per acre, up 4.0 bushels from the July forecast and even with last year.Based on August 1 conditions, barley production in Wyoming is forecast at 6.96 million bushels, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. This forecast is up 4 percent from the July 1 forecast and up 3 percent from last year’s crop. The area for harvest in 2015, at 65,000 acres, is up 2,000 acres from the 63,000 acres harvested last year. Barley yield is forecast at 107.0 bushels per acre, up 4.0 bushels from the July forecast and even with last year. As of August 2, Wyoming’s barley crop condition was rated 5 percent fair, 67 percent good, and 28 percent excellent. Barley mature was 34 percent complete, compared with 47 percent last year and the 5-year average of 49 percent. Wyoming farmers and ranchers expect to harvest 490,000 acres of alfalfa hay this year, unchanged from 2014. They also expect to harvest 560,000 acres of other hay in 2015, down 10,000 acres from last year. Alfalfa production is forecast at 1.47 million tons, up 15 percent from 1.27 million tons produced in 2014. Other hay production is estimated at 840,000 tons, down 13 percent from 969,000 tons a year ago. Yields are expected to average 3.00 tons per acre for alfalfa and 1.50 tons per acre for other hay, compared to last year’s yields of 2.60 tons per acre for alfalfa hay and 1.70 tons for other hay. Dry bean production for 2015 is forecast at 590,000 hundredweight, down 26 percent from the 799,000 hundredweight produced a year earlier. Yields are expected to average 2,000 pounds per acre, down from 2,130 pounds per acre last year. Growers expect to harvest 29,500 acres this year, down 8,100 acres from 37,600 acres last year. Sugarbeet production is forecast at 958,000 tons, up 15 percent from 834,000 tons produced in 2014. Growers expect to harvest 30,800 acres this year compared with 30,000 a year ago. Yields are expected to average 31.1 tons per acre, up from 27.8 tons per acre a year ago. Source -http://www.theprairiestar.com

USA - Experts predict Indiana farmers will lose $500 million to corn, soybean crop losses

USA - Experts predict Indiana farmers will lose $500 million to corn, soybean crop lossesCorn may be king in Indiana, but its crown is damp and a little tarnished after a soggy spring and summer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared 53 Indiana counties agriculture disaster areas, making farmers eligible for low interest loans, because of the rains that came and put many farms under water during the crucial spring planting season. Purdue agriculture experts predict Indiana corn farmers will lose $300 million due to the wet weather.Corn may be king in Indiana, but its crown is damp and a little tarnished after a soggy spring and summer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared 53 Indiana counties agriculture disaster areas, making farmers eligible for low interest loans, because of the rains that came and put many farms under water during the crucial spring planting season. “Once the crop was in the ground, in many cases, there was upwards of six weeks of completely saturated soil non-stop,” said Bob Nielsen, Purdue Extension Agronomist. “So prices will remain depressed, and for those folks in Indiana that are harvesting dramatically lower yields its because they just happen to be in that wet area, now we’re talking low yields and low prices and that spells a lot of trouble at the farm level.” Purdue agriculture experts predict Indiana corn farmers will lose $300 million due to the wet weather. The value of the state’s soybean crop is expected to be off $200 million. “Relative to last year, we’re probably down ten or twelve percent from last year because it was such a good yield last year,” said Nielsen. “Indiana’s about the only state that’s been suffering this year because of these problems so nationally yields will be the second highest on record.” Nielsen said supplies will remain plentiful and retail prices consistent, though Hoosier farmers won’t share fully in the bounty because of the lack of a full crop. According to Purdue surveys, 25 percent of the state’s soybean and corn crops are rated “poor” or “very poor.” Farmers with crop insurance may still recover 80 percent of their loss but spending on farm implements, investment and land treatment may be cut back. “It’ll create some cash flow problems certainly for a lot of folks,” said Nielsen. “It means some people won’t buying some new machinery that they were ready to buy because their machinery was wearing out.” Source -http://fox59.com/