02.07.2015

EU - Rapeseed crop hit by dry weather, raising import needs

The recent dry weather could reduce the European Union's 2015 rapeseed crop following a record harvest last year, analysts said on Wednesday.Rapeseed, the main oilseed for vegetable oil and biodiesel production, has suffered from a lack of rain in all top four EU producers -- Germany, France, Britain and Poland.The EU's 2015 crop is likely fall to about 21.8 million tonnes from the record 24.6 million tonnes in 2014, Hamburg-based oilseeds analyst Oil World estimates."Dryness and insect damage have reduced rapeseed harvest prospects in some countries including Germany," Oil World executive director Thomas Mielke said."The reduced crop will raise EU rapeseed import requirements in the coming year but these may be difficult to satisfy because of smaller crops expected in some exporting countries such as Ukraine."Germany's 2015 crop is seen falling to at least 5.1 million tonnes from 6.13 million in 2014, Oil World estimates.France's rapeseed harvest is underway and analysts expect the dry spring to have trimmed yields well below last year's bumper level. Lower-than-average rainfall in French crop belts during the spring has been followed by high temperatures in recent days in a heatwave across France."More than the hot spell we're seeing at the moment, it is the dry weather during spring that will have an impact on the crop," said Benoit Fayaud, an analyst at Strategie Grains."Yields will be lower than last year but should still be at a decent level."Strategie Grains expects to trim its French rapeseed crop forecast in coming days by about 100,000 tonnes to 5.2 million tonnes from 5.5 million tonnes harvested last year, Fayaud said.Britain's rapeseed appears in reasonable condition despite dry weather which threatens to cut yields of some other crops.Trade estimates put the UK harvest at about 2.2 million tonnes from 2.5 million tonnes last year."In these dry years we tend to be surprised by rapeseed yields rather than disappointed," Home-Grown Cereals Authority analyst Jack Watts said. "It should be a good average (yield) as we stand at the moment."In Poland, dryness is causing crop forecasts to be reduced, said analyst Wojtek Sabaranski at Sparks Polska.Sparks Polska has reduced its previous forecast by 100,000 tonnes to 2.8 million tonnes from about 3.1 million last year."If we manage to harvest 2.8 million tonnes of rapeseed, this would still be a decent crop," Sabaranski said.Source -http://www.businessinsider.com

02.07.2015

USA - Texas Crop Report - June 30, 2015

Central: Soil moisture, overall rangeland and pastures, crops and livestock were all rated as being in good condition. Wheat yields were mostly average with some light bushel weights and some sprout discounts. The condition of the corn crop was highly variable from row to row in the fields. Some corn was severely stunted from too much moisture, while plants a few rows over looked extremely good. Stock-water tanks were full. Cattle were in good condition. Sugarcane aphid pressure on sorghum was very low. Pastures were in great condition due to the growth of warm-season grasses and record rainfall. Rivers were flowing. The Brazos River was still in its banks, and there were no forecasts of flooding. The second cutting of hay was growing and looking good.Coastal Bend: The region had a few spotty showers over the weekend, with lower-than-normal temperatures. Field crops and pastures still needed to dry out after the rains from Tropical Storm Bill. There were also reports of slight to severe wind damage to grain sorghum and corn. However, cows with calves at their sides were in great condition as grass was abundant. There were reports of Bermuda grass stem maggots, a relatively new pest to Texas, in several fields. Some insect pressure was observed in grain sorghum fields, primarily stinkbugs and head worms, as well as some aphids. Cotton looked good for most part, although some fields still had plants with yellowed leaves from the excessive moisture. Also, some cotton was dropping squares or not setting bolls.Source -http://www.kentucky.com

01.07.2015

USA - Upstate farmers can apply for crop damage loans from USDA

Upstate farmers can now apply for emergency loans for crop damage through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The money will help growers to recover some of the financial losses they suffered because of crop damage from cold weather earlier this year.On June 17, the USDA designated a disaster area that includes Spartanburg, Cherokee, Greenville, Union, Abbeville, Anderson, Chester, Fairfield, Laurens, Newberry, Pickens and York counties.Farmers in the designated disaster area can qualify for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA's Farm Service Agency.Glenn Thomas, executive director for the USDA Farm Service Agency, said Tuesday he encourages farmers to apply for emergency loans if they suffered a loss due to the cold weather. Thomas said it only takes one crop loss to potentially qualify.Crops that may have suffered damage during the period of Jan. 8 through March 29 include peaches and strawberries, he said. The deadline to apply for an emergency loan is Feb. 17, 2016.The Farm Service Agency will consider the extent of the losses, security available and repayment ability for each loan applicant. Funding through the Federal Crop Insurance and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program also is available.Thomas said in most cases, crops weren't a total loss during the designated period. However, he said some farmers suffered losses during the time frame.Source - http://www.goupstate.com/

01.07.2015

USA - Producers wait for fields to dry out

USA - Producers wait for fields to dry outThere were 2.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending June 21, according to the Great Lakes Regional office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Producers spent much of the week waiting for fields to dry out so that tillage, spraying, and haymaking could continue. Some reporters indicated crop condition significantly worsened in areas where rain was excessive and drainage was poor. There were reports from across the State of corn and soybeans turning yellow and under stress and dry edible beans requiring replanting. There were 2.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending June 21, according to the Great Lakes Regional office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Producers spent much of the week waiting for fields to dry out so that tillage, spraying, and haymaking could continue. Some reporters indicated crop condition significantly worsened in areas where rain was excessive and drainage was poor. There were reports from across the State of corn and soybeans turning yellow and under stress and dry edible beans requiring replanting. Some growers in the Thumb indicated that they were starting to see damage in sugarbeets where heavy thunderstorms caused ponding. Hay producers have had few opportunities to bale dry hay between rains. Wheat still looked good this week as some of the crop was starting to turn color, but the wet weather had some concerned about the potential for disease. Oats and barley were progressing and expected to be in the boot stage soon. Excessive recent rainfall had fruit growers across the State concerned about disease management and damage to young orchards. Strawberry harvest continued in the south; heavy rainfall was expected to bring an early end to harvest in some fields. Blueberries were sizing well with the rain, but water was standing in many fields. Raspberry bloom was winding down, and fruit was developing rapidly. Blackberry bloom continued. Saskatoon fruits were sizing and taking on a reddish cast. In the south, bloom was ending in juice grapes and was underway in wine grapes. In the north, bloom was expected to begin soon in wine grapes. Apple fruits were up to 1-1/4 inches in diameter for main season varieties and up to 1-1/2 inches in diameter for summer apple varieties; June drop was in full swing for many growers in the southeast. Bartlett pears were up to 1-1/8 inches in diameter and Harrow Sweet were 7/8 inches; growers were removing waterspouts from trees in order to discourage pear psylla populations. Peaches were at 1.25 inches in diameter with pits still soft. The largest apricot fruit were over two inches in diameter. Japanese plums were about 1 inch in diameter and European plums were up to 3/4 inches in diameter. Sweet cherries were at 16 to 20 millimeters; heavy drop began in the southwest. In the northwest, frost scars were evident in many sweet cherry blocks. Tart cherries were 12 to 16 millimeters in diameter and were turning straw color. Early planted potatoes in the eastern and central regions made good progress last week. Tassels were emerging from early planted sweet corn in the southwest. Onion development in the west continued to move along nicely. Tomato, pepper, and eggplant transplanting made significant progress in the southwest and was nearing completion. Carrot development in Oceana County was moving along nicely. Disease pressure continued to be the main area of concern for vegetable producers across the State. Insect pests have shown significant development and scouting activities have increased. Source - http://www.farmersadvance.com/

01.07.2015

USA - Rainfall is having a negative effect on agriculture

USA - Rainfall is having a negative effect on agricultureCorn, soybeans, green beans and other crops like it are not doing too well with all the precipitation that's been in the forecast these past few weeks, so much so that some of the crops are failing. For June 2015, the Quincy area has received more than eight and a half inches of rain. According to the National Weather Service, it should be right under four inches which could only mean more rain and more problems. That's because the excess water is getting rid of nutrients that helps crops grow.Corn, soybeans, green beans and other crops like it are not doing too well with all the precipitation that's been in the forecast these past few weeks, so much so that some of the crops are failing. For June 2015, the Quincy area has received more than eight and a half inches of rain. According to the National Weather Service, it should be right under four inches which could only mean more rain and more problems. That's because the excess water is getting rid of nutrients that helps crops grow. "When the soil is saturated like it is right now, it's devoid of oxygen, when the soil is devoid of oxygen, roots suffer, roots die," Mike Roegge, an Extension Educator, Local Food Systems and Small Farms, said Crops are also not accepting nitrogen. These two elements are vital to crops. The rainfall is also causing other problems like mold and erosion. Mold in the field can spread and may result in major loss. Also, the rain is causing ditches, which is leaving gaping holes in the middle of fields. Roegge says the best thing farmers can do is to hope and wait it out. "In essence, we need two weeks of 80, 85 degree weather, sunshine and 20 mile hour winds and no rain," Roegge said. He says it’s too early to tell if it will affect the future harvest, only time and Mother Nature will tell. Source - http://www.connecttristates.com/

01.07.2015

Costa Rica - Ag sector on alert due to floods in Caribbean

The Minister of Agriculture, Luis Felipe Arauz Cavallini, stated that the effects of the heavy rains fallen in the last hours in several communities in the Caribbean have the agricultural sector institutions on alert and in constant coordination with the National Emergency Commission to address the needs of communities and productive sectors, so that they can maintain sources of employment in the area.Arauz Cavallini initiated conversations with different sectors to find out what the main problems they faced were and gave instructions to start identifying solutions in the short term.In the case of agricultural production, there is concern about the destruction of at least three levees, which caused the flooding of a major banana production area. There is also concern about the delay, caused by the closure of roads, in the arrival of products to the export docks, as exporters have to use alternate routes."Although it is too early to give preliminary figures, since it is necessary to wait for the water to decrease in order to measure the impact the floods had on pastures and crops, it's clear that the damage caused by excess water in the soil and infrastructure is considerable, "said Arauz.According to the first reports of the regional offices of MAG in Sarapiqui, Huetar Caribbean and Turrialba, there are reports of damages in tropical root crops, such as banana, palm, guava, corn, rice, palm, cocoa, as well as pastures, which causes losses in the cattle developments in these communities. Many small dairy farmers are unable to deliver their product and the storage tanks are saturated.The main problems are that farms are flooded, the rivers are overflowing, and the isolation caused by road closures.Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/

01.07.2015

USA - Sugarcane Aphids Pose Threat to Sorghum Raised in Ashley Co.

Sugarcane aphids, a serious threat to sorghum, have been confirmed in Ashley, Chicot and Desha counties in the southeastern corner of Arkansas.Nick Seiter, extension entomologist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the first reports of the insect in sorghum came in two weeks ago and were "mostly limited to small populations." No fields had been treated yet for the insects.Ashley County Extension Agent Kevin Norton said that he found the pest last week in a field west of Hamburg. "Right now, the population is low," Norton said, "but as the population grows, it can be a real problem."While Norton said that he is aware of only one grower in Ashley County, there is a substantial amount of grain sorghum just east of Ashley County in the area round the Boeuf River in Chicot County."In areas where sugarcane aphid has been found, sorghum needs to be scouted regularly, as this insect reproduces very rapidly and can be very damaging to the sorghum crop throughout the growing season," Seiter said. "Growers should be looking for the aphids themselves as well as sticky honeydew on lower leaves."Sugarcane aphids were first spotted in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Mississippi in 2013. It was first confirmed in Arkansas last year."They have been developing in Texas and Louisiana over the last month or so, so they might have moved up" from there, Seiter said. "I suspect there were some small overwintered populations in southeast Arkansas, but it's impossible to tell how many of the aphids we are seeing now overwintered here versus flying up from the south."The aphids excrete a sugary honeydew on sorghum leaves. Black mold can grow in the honeydew and reduce photosynthesis. If infestation is severe, the aphids can cripple or kill the plants.Norton noted that the sticky honeydew is a menace during harvest, clogging up combines, along with any plants that have died and fallen over, a condition known as "lodging." He also said that if the aphid population is bad enough early, the aphids can kill the sorghum.Norton said that the aphids are a very specific pest, and right now, the only crop the aphids bother in this area is grain sorghum. The aphids were first found in sugarcane, and they then adapted to become a pest for grain sorghum. Barring additional changes or adaptations, the aphids do not pose a threat to other crops but can also be found in johnsongrass.Seiter asks that farmers who find sugarcane aphids email a photo and the location to an Extension entomologist, to enable them to keep an updated map of aphid infestations.Source - http://www.ashleycountyledger.com/

30.06.2015

India - The big drag on economic progress is agriculture

India - The big drag on economic progress is agricultureNearly a quarter of a century after India launched its first big liberalizing reforms in 1991, setting off a new spurt of growth, one area of the country’s economy remains hardly touched: farming. About 600 million Indians, or roughly half the population, depend upon ­growing crops or rearing animals to survive. Many farming practices, along with India’s agricultural markets, infrastructure, insurance and rules on leasing land, have barely changed in decades. Reform is long overdue.Nearly a quarter of a century after India launched its first big liberalizing reforms in 1991, setting off a new spurt of growth, one area of the country’s economy remains hardly touched: farming. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a 24-hour state-run TV channel for farmers in May but has fostered no public debate about how to improve India’s dreadfully backward agriculture. About 600 million Indians, or roughly half the population, depend upon ­growing crops or rearing animals to survive. Many farming practices, along with India’s agricultural markets, infrastructure, insurance and rules on leasing land, have barely changed in decades. Reform is long overdue. On the surface, things do not look too bad in the countryside. Rural poverty has fallen sharply in the past 15 years. Yet this is because such services as selling mobile phones or motorbikes have boomed across India. It has also helped that previous governments greatly increased welfare spending in the countryside. But the productivity of farming itself has been woeful. Contributing just 13.7 percent to Indian GDP, agriculture has grown by around 3 percent a year in recent years, far slower than the rest of the economy. Farmers’ woes have recently made headlines again. In the spring, unexpected rain damaged northern wheat. A summer heat wave has killed more than 2,000 people in India — mostly those toiling in fields in the south — as well as hundreds more in Pakistan. And a run of farmer suicides has drawn national attention. Official concerns linger over the monsoon: rains may fall short, for the second year in a row. Since three-fifths of Indian farmland lacks irrigation, patchy or weak rainfall can spell disaster. Rural incomes are already under strain. One reason is volatile prices. Farmers near Delhi, the wealthy capital, are getting as little as 2 or 3 rupees (4 or 5 American cents) per kilo of potatoes, a quarter of last year’s price. Cotton farmers who had prospered from strong exports to China have recently been hit by weaker demand. The ­government has bought millions of bales to shore up prices. Another reason for lower rural incomes is the decision Modi made a year ago, soon after coming to office, to cut the minimum government support-price for staples, notably wheat and rice. It was the right move and has since helped bring down inflation. But it should have come with more transitional support for farmers hurt by the adjustment. On June 17, a new, only slightly higher, minimum price for rice was set for the coming year. Low productivity is a bigger long-term problem. One cause of this is the shrinking size of cultivated plots. As India’s population expands, the average plot size has fallen from nearly 5.7 acres in 1970 to under 3 acres today. Two grain harvests a year are common, but India’s yields are low by global standards. Productivity is also held down by state laws limiting the amount of farmland a single person may own. Even ­leasing land is famously hard, since strong tenancy rights discourage ­owners from renting out fields. A newly completed but not yet published report for the government on reforming agriculture, led by Ashok Gulati of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations in Delhi, is likely to blame politics. Food inflation upsets voters, so politicians respond to sudden spikes in food prices by imposing national export bans. Regional politicians do something similar. When potato prices soared in West Bengal last year, the state banned traders from shipping potatoes to other states. Amid such uncertainty, farmers are disinclined to invest or specialize. Price swings are exacerbated by a 1955 law that bans the storage of large quantities of any of 90 commodities, including onions and wheat. The aim was to deter “hoarding.” The effect is to discourage traders or farmers from investing in cold storage and warehouses. So lots of crops rot before they reach a plate, and prices swing erratically. If a bumper crop can neither be exported nor stored, the only way to sell it is to slash prices. Agricultural markets are fractured and distorted. Across much of India, state marketing boards known as Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) restrict trade in fruit and vegetables. A trader in Delhi, for instance, is not allowed to bid for ­coconuts in Karnataka. It is often easier to import from abroad. Gangs of local commissioning agents squeeze farmers like ripe mangoes. The mandi, or marketplace, in Azadpur on the edge of Delhi is said to be Asia’s largest for fruit and vegetables. Enormous trading houses are piled high with garlic and potatoes. Presiding over all are plump agents sporting gold chains. Many are the fourth generation of their family to hold the license to do the job. They add little value, but admit to taking a hefty 6 percent commission on sales. In other markets, fees are reportedly as high as 14 percent. Gulati suggests the international norm for commissions is more like 0.5 percent. The state government in Delhi is trying to scrap the local APMC’s monopoly, but there is a lack of available land to open a rival marketplace. Many farmers struggle to obtain finance. Agricultural banks are notoriously corrupt. State aid for small farmers is skewed toward providing cheap inputs — by subsidizing the provision of fertilizer, water and electricity — rather than, for example, helping to insure farmers’ crops against bad weather or natural disaster. If it cut the input subsidies, the government could help with insurance. Or it could help poor rural folk by simply giving them cash. Farmers would welcome some reforms, such as cutting the power of middlemen but would resist others, such as lifting ceilings on land holdings. They worry that this would allow them to be pushed off their land by the rich and powerful. Copyright 2013 The Economist Newspaper Limited, London. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission. Source - http://www.startribune.com/

30.06.2015

USA - $300 million in Indiana crops’ value lost to flooding so far

USA - $300 million in Indiana crops’ value lost to flooding so farTorrential rains and resulting flooding have killed off as much as 5 percent of Indiana's corn and soybean crops and already cost the state's agricultural economy about $300 million since the beginning of June, Purdue Extension economist said Friday (June 26). He expects the losses to continue to mount at least over the next few weeks as more rain is forecast. Economist said grain prices were starting to increase as the extent of the crop damage became apparent. Torrential rains and resulting flooding have killed off as much as 5 percent of Indiana's corn and soybean crops and already cost the state's agricultural economy about $300 million since the beginning of June, Purdue Extension economist Chris Hurt said Friday (June 26). "We went from a well above-normal crop to a very discouraging, below-normal crop," he said at a special news briefing at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. "This was a very devastating period." He expects the losses to continue to mount at least over the next few weeks as more rain is forecast. Hurt said grain prices were starting to increase as the extent of the crop damage became apparent. But the higher prices could be offset by reduced yields and increased expenses from replanting flood-damaged fields. "There are very major reasons for concern," Hurt said. Michael Langemeier, an agricultural economist specializing in crop systems, said about 80 percent of the state's corn and soybean acreage was covered by crop insurance. Although it is too late to consider replanting corn, soybean farmers could decide to start over with reduced insurance coverage. During a late planting period that ends July 15, coverage drops 1 percent per day. Langemeier said farmers need to do a cost-benefit analysis before deciding whether to replant. "The main things farmers need to consider is what additional expenses I will incur and compare that to the additional revenue," he said. Julia Wickard, state executive director of the Farm Service Agency, said Indiana has not yet applied for federal disaster assistance. "We certainly know that our farmers across Indiana are experiencing unprecedented rainfall," she said. "These flood events have left damage and heartbreak behind." She said FSA officials were collecting data and assessing damage in the hardest-hit parts of the state. To qualify for disaster assistance, such as low-interest loans, a region has to show at least a 30 percent loss in production. "We are ready to take on this challenge that will probably be confronting us as we move forward," she said. Ken Scheeringa, associate state climatologist, said the region's unsettled weather would likely continue for at least the next month, with conditions cooler and wetter than normal. "Even though there is a very good chance for above-average rainfall, I am hopeful the amounts will be more reasonable," Scheeringa said. Other speakers, with highlights of their flood and crops updates: * CORN, Bob Nielsen, corn specialist: Although a wet spring planting season is not unusual in the eastern Corn Belt "what is clearly different this year is the magnitude of it." The June rains have affected several hundred thousand acres, perhaps as much as in 30 years. It is too late to replant damaged acreage. Despite the damage, there are signs of improvement. Yield potential of the crop will depend largely on the weather over the next 2-3 weeks. * SOYBEANS, Shaun Casteel, soybean specialist: Although conditions for planting were marginal to begin with, the positive development is that there has been enough moisture to allow root systems to grow through compacted soil. Nitrogen loss has gone well beyond normal, so plants will need "a shot in the arm" with additional nitrogen when conditions warrant. For new planting or replanting, farmers will need to use varieties that will allow for a mature crop by fall harvest after a shortened growing season. * WEEDS, Bill Johnson, weed scientist: Farmers should get weeds under control with respraying as soon as fields dry out but should not feel rushed in windy conditions. They also will need to understand the risks of making "off-label" herbicide applications. Farmers wanting to plant soybeans in fields where drowned-out corn was planted should understand that some commonly used corn herbicides do not allow soybeans to be planted in the same year. * INSECTS, Christian Krupke, professor of entomology: A "silver lining" to the rain is that corn rootworm, the most common pest in the growing season, is highly susceptible to drowning. So many of them have died off. There is uncertainty whether aphids, a common pest for soybeans, will be a problem this year. That is because Indiana does not have enough history of planting soybeans in July to predict whether there will be infestations. * DISEASES, Kiersten Wise, associate professor of plant pathology: Although there is uncertainty about diseases at this time, saturated soils could create conditions suitable for soybean sudden death syndrome and, especially in northern counties, white mold. Corn foliar diseases such as northern leaf blight are starting to show in some fields. * NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT, Jim Camberato, soil fertility specialist: Farmers will need to assess how much nitrogen their crops have lost and consider supplemental applications. Those who have been unable to apply nitrogen will need to assess the plants' root system and make the difficult decision about how much to apply. * COVER CROPS, Eileen Kladivko: Farmers who have been unable to plant or who have severely damaged fields should consider planting a cover crop to rebuild the soil's productive properties and minimize weeds. Farmers who already have applied an herbicide to corn, however, might have fewer choices of cover crops to use effectively. * FORAGES, Keith Johnson, forage specialist: It critical to monitor temperature of stored forages so that their temperature does not exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Typical temperature is 120 degrees or less. Also, make sure soil is dry enough to accommodate harvesting equipment. * DISASTER ASSISTANCE, Steve Cain, Extension Disaster Education Networkhomeland security project director: No Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declaration is expected, so communities must recover from flooding without federal financial assistance. EDEN is assisting those in heavily flooded areas, such as White and Jasper counties, especially hit hard with residential damage. Also, EDEN has resources for owners of flood-damaged homes in the Extension publication First Steps to Flood Recovery. Source - http://www.porknetwork.com/

30.06.2015

USA - Extended flooding kills some corn crops

USA - Extended flooding kills some corn cropsExcessive rain and extensive flooding and ponding have taken a toll on corn fields across Ohio, and could leave some growers facing sudden death of their plants now or diseased crops and potential long-term yield loss later, according to an agronomist in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. Even if the flooding and ponding don’t kill some corn crops now, some growers could be faced with fields exhibiting stalk or root rot and stalk lodging later in the season, said an Ohio State University Extension agronomist. Excessive rain and extensive flooding and ponding have taken a toll on corn fields across Ohio, and could leave some growers facing sudden death of their plants now or diseased crops and potential long-term yield loss later, according to an agronomist in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. Even if the flooding and ponding don’t kill some corn crops now, some growers could be faced with fields exhibiting stalk or root rot and stalk lodging later in the season, said Peter Thomison, an Ohio State University Extension agronomist. OSU Extension is the statewide outreach arm of the college. “While above-normal rainfall is not unusual in Ohio during the spring, the amount of rainfall this year has been extraordinary,” Thomison said. “Crops that are at earlier growth stages are the ones most likely not to survive or to be less productive. “Even if the ponding doesn’t kill plants outright, it may have a long-term negative impact on crop performance. Growers need to watch their fields closely for root and stalk rot, which can lead to lodging problems later in the season and could have negative impact on yields.” Widespread heavy rains last week brought most fieldwork to a halt in Ohio, according to the June 22 U.S. Department of Agriculture crop progress report. “Heavy rains through the state have brought many concerns for producers,” the federal agency said in a statement. “Standing water is evident in nearly every field, drowning out crops and favoring disease. “The muddy, saturated fields have prevented producers from being able to spray and fertilize causing concerns over disease, growing pest presence, and increasing weed pressure. Fields washed out from prior rain events have yet to be replanted due to continued rain, and there is speculation it will be too late to replant. Yellowing of field crops and areas of sudden death are popping up around the state.” According to Thomison, how well corn crops are able to survive the impact from flooding and ponding is dependent on three factors: what growth stage the crops are in at the time of the flooding event; how long the plants experience ponding; and the air and soil temperatures during the event. “Plants past the V6 growth stage should survive pretty well,” he said. “Prior to the 6-leaf collar stage, as measured by visible leaf collars, or when the growing point is at or below the soil surface, corn can usually survive only two to four days of flooded conditions. “Plants prior to the V6 growth stage are more vulnerable to damage from ponding and saturated soil conditions. The oxygen supply in the soil is depleted after about 48 hours in flooded soil. Without oxygen, the plant cannot perform critical life-sustaining functions. If temperatures are warm during ponding — greater than 77 degrees F — plants may not survive 24 hours.” Corn that does survive flooding might face a nitrogen deficiency later, Thomison said. “Excess moisture during the early vegetative stages retards corn root development,” he said. “As a result, plants may be subject to greater injury during a dry summer because root systems are not sufficiently developed to access available subsoil water.” “Many Ohio fields are pockmarked with spots where the corn plants are stunted, which is exacerbated by the nitrogen-loss issue.” For corn that is emerged, growers should check the color of the growing point after the water recedes to assess the plant’s survival, Thomison said. “It should be white to cream colored, while a darkening and/or softening usually precedes plant death,” he said. Source - http://www.porknetwork.com/

30.06.2015

USA - Western S.D. sees more rain while eastern producers get to spray, cut hay

USA - Western S.D. sees more rain while eastern producers get to spray, cut hayAbove average rainfall continued across much of west central and southwest South Dakota over the last week with an inch or more falling in some western locations. Meanwhile, in the east, relatively dry conditions allowed producers to continue haying and finish crop spraying, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 9 percent surplus, 70 percent adequate, 16 percent short and 5 percent very short. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent surplus, 68 percent adequate, 20 percent short and 6 percent very short.Above average rainfall continued across much of west central and southwest South Dakota over the last week with an inch or more falling in some western locations. Meanwhile, in the east, relatively dry conditions allowed producers to continue haying and finish crop spraying, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 9 percent surplus, 70 percent adequate, 16 percent short and 5 percent very short. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent surplus, 68 percent adequate, 20 percent short and 6 percent very short. Field Crops Report: About 99 percent of corn has emerged as of the week ending June 28. The condition rated 72 percent good or excellent, 23 percent fair, and 5 percent poor or very poor. Soybeans were 98 percent emerged, ahead of last year, but only 1 percent of them were blooming. That's behind the 8 percent average and 13 percent rating from last year. Soybean condition rated 70 percent good or excellent, 27 percent fair and 3 percent poor or very poor. Spring wheat condition rated 1 percent very poor, 7 poor, 33 fair, 48 good, and 11 excellent. Spring wheat jointed was 96 percent, ahead of 88 last year. Headed was 60 percent, ahead of 53 last year and near 58 average. Winter wheat condition rated 13 percent very poor, 23 poor, 35 fair, 27 good, and 2 excellent. Winter wheat headed was 91 percent, behind 96 last year, but near 92 average. Coloring rated 54 percent, well ahead of 27 last year, and ahead of 35 average. Mature rated 1 percent. Oats condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 25 fair, 61 good, and 9 excellent. Oats headed rated 84 percent, ahead of 72 last year and 65 average. Coloring was at 23 percent. Barley condition rated 3 percent very poor, 3 poor, 14 fair, 75 good, and 5 excellent. Barley jointed was 90 percent, ahead of 83 last year. Headed rated 49 percent, ahead of 37 last year, and near 45 average. Sorghum condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 27 fair, 68 good, and 4 excellent. Sorghum planted rated 80 percent, behind 95 last year and 97 average. Emerged was 69 percent, behind 75 last year and 83 average. Sunflower condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 25 fair, 71 good, and 3 excellent. Sunflowers planted rated 80 percent, near 83 last year, but behind 89 average. Emerged was 49 percent, behind 54 last year. Alfalfa conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 7 poor, 31 fair, 54 good, and 7 excellent. Alfalfa hay first cutting rated 56 percent complete, behind 63 last year and 68 average. Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Pasture and range conditions were rated 2 percent very poor, 8 poor, 29 fair, 43 good, and 18 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 5 percent very short, 15 short, 74 adequate, and 6 surplus. Source - http://www.tristateneighbor.com/

30.06.2015

USA - Minnesota Crop Condition report released

USA - Minnesota Crop Condition report releasedWarm temperatures and adequate moisture aided small grain development in Minnesota during the 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending June 28, 2015, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service Crop Progress and Condition Report. Parts of Minnesota experienced severe weather, including high winds and hail, during the week leaving some farmers concerned about the potential damage to crops. Field activities for the week included spraying and baling hay.Warm temperatures and adequate moisture aided small grain development in Minnesota during the 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending June 28, 2015, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service Crop Progress and Condition Report. Parts of Minnesota experienced severe weather, including high winds and hail, during the week leaving some farmers concerned about the potential damage to crops. Field activities for the week included spraying and baling hay. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 87 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 90 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Minnesota’s corn condition rated 81 percent good to excellent.There were scattered reports of soybean’s starting to bloom, and soybean condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Small grain development remained ahead of the five-year average with approximately three-quarters of the crops in or beyond the heading stage. Barley condition rated 64 percent good to excellent. With a few reports of oats starting to turn color, oat condition rated 83 percent good to excellent. Spring wheat condition rated 84 percent good to excellent, up 8 percentage points from the previous week. Dry edible bean condition rated 65 percent good to excellent. Potato condition rated 88 percent good to excellent, up 3 percentage points from last week. Sunflower condition rated 57 percent good to excellent, up 9 percentage points from last week. Sugarbeet condition rated 79 percent good to excellent, down slightly from the previous week. The first cutting of alfalfa hay was 89 percent complete, 11 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the five-year average. There were reports the second cutting of alfalfa hay has begun. All hay condition rated 72 percent good to excellent and pasture condition rated 79 percent good to excellent, both up 2 percentage points from the previous week. Source - http://www.agrinews.com/

30.06.2015

USA - Heavy rains impacting crops locally and across the Midwest

USA - Heavy rains impacting crops locally and across the MidwestWith this month being one of the rainiest Junes on record in Illinois, farmers with low-lying field areas around the state are struggling to keep their crops green. County Director with the University of Illinois Extension, explained Monday, that The excess water makes oxygen unavailable for both corn and soybeans. That’s why they turn yellow. Many low areas are dead or severely affected by all the water. On Monday, National Weather Service summaries for the month showed that Lincoln had received 9.65 inches of rain, making it the third wettest June since 1906.With this month being one of the rainiest Junes on record in Illinois, farmers with low-lying field areas around the state are struggling to keep their crops green. As John Fulton, County Director with the University of Illinois Extension, explained Monday, "The excess water makes oxygen unavailable for both corn and soybeans. That’s why they turn yellow. Many low areas are dead or severely affected by all the water." On Monday, National Weather Service summaries for the month showed that Lincoln had received 9.65 inches of rain, making it the third wettest June since 1906. In a normal year, the city would receive 4.32 inches of rain throughout the month. With a total of 17.49 inches falling on Lincoln between May and June, it’s been a rough start to the season for certain fields. "One of the big things is also what can’t be done," Fulton said. "This would include herbicide applications, some nitrogen on corn and even planting things that haven’t been planted yet." Perry Grieme, of Grieme Insurance Agency in Lincoln, echoed that last concern for some of his crop insurance customers, but said that the rain has caused problems for a greater number of farmers in parts of Southern Illinois and Missouri. "Throughout Logan County, for the most part, we’re in good shape because we planted in a timely manner," Grieme said. "In Missouri, it’s a disaster," he added, explaining that thousands of acres of land slated for soybeans won’t be planted in that state this year due to the flooding. Grieme, whose agency provides crop insurance to approximately 500-550 farms in three states, said that this is the exact opposite problem that the area had in 2012 when there was virtually no rain. Every one of his crop insurance customers had to make a claim that year. "The risk in farming is huge," Grieme explained. "There is a fixed cost to putting the crop in the ground- seeds, fertilizer, equipment, chemicals, land cost" and added that the Federal Crop Insurance Act was created as a way to protect farmers when natural disasters strike. He said that it’s difficult to really know the extent of the problems until harvest time, when customers can make claims based on low-yields, should the rain persist or other agricultural calamities occur. "As we all know, we can’t control Mother Nature," he said frankly. "Right now, there isn’t one farmer out there who’s liking all this rain." Source - http://www.lincolncourier.com/

29.06.2015

Georgia - Fewer Vidalia onions expected this year due to rain, winds

Georgia - Fewer Vidalia onions expected this year due to rain, windsHeavy rainfall and high winds contributed to Georgia farmers growing fewer Vidalia onions this year, but demand for the popular vegetable and low yields for Texas onions helped keep prices steady. According to Cliff Riner, coordinator of the University of Georgia Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center, Georgia's onion crop was limited this year due to an accumulation of inclement weather. Weather conditions added to a crop that was already short this year.Heavy rainfall and high winds contributed to Georgia farmers growing fewer Vidalia onions this year, but demand for the popular vegetable and low yields for Texas onions helped keep prices steady. According to Cliff Riner, coordinator of the University of Georgia Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center, Georgia's onion crop was limited this year due to an accumulation of inclement weather. "We had temperatures as low as 15 degrees (Fahrenheit), hail storms, 40- to 50-mile-per-hour winds and really heavy rain," Riner said. Weather conditions added to a crop that was already short this year. "We were already planting 400 to 600 acres fewer than what we have been planting. There weren't many growers that increased their acreage planted after last year. We just harvested an average crop, with some major losses to fields that weren't even brought in," he said. Riner said the biggest hit came on the second maturity group of onions, what is referred to as the "early main season." Two major storms brought hail and winds through southeast Georgia just as fields were starting to mature. "This group of onions makes up our largest acreage. Some fields weren't harvested because of the hail damage, and where there was just strong wind, we just didn't get the size we needed. When the wind lays the tops down and knocks the leaves off, the onion won't increase in size as it would normally. Some growers suffered losses worse than others, but the weather brought some challenges (to all growers) this year," Riner said. Vidalia onions are harvested in only 20 state-sanctioned Georgia counties from mid-April through May. Though production was lacking this season, farmers that did produce a good crop were rewarded with strong prices. Riner said the price could continue to rise through the summer, as demand is still strong and shipping is at full capacity. A crop shortage in Texas this year also led to a robust market for Georgia producers, according to Riner. "Back in January and February, the national price situation on onions was pretty low. However, all of that changed because the Texas crop was poor this year. They were only able to sell about 20 percent of their onions. That 80 percent loss really changed Vidalia's outlook," Riner said. "We could have had a very bad year price-wise, but it really turned out to be positive by the time our onions were ready. UGA onion fertility trials Tim Coolong hopes to help boost Georgia farmers' onion crop in the near future. The UGA Cooperative Extension horticulturist is working with Riner to study fertility treatments of Vidalia onions with the goal of boosting the industry, which had a farm gate value of $163 million in 2012. This year, Coolong is studying 14 different fertilizer treatments and programs in search of one that best improves overall yield quality while reducing risks. One potential risk is "bolting," when an onion plant flowers prematurely. "With our fertility trials, some varieties bolted very heavily. In some varieties, up to 30 percent bolted. Other varieties weren't nearly that bad. Some were down around 5 to 10 percent," Coolong said. "When they flower like that, you can't sell them." Coolong is also studying fertilizer's impact on onion flavor and storage life. "Our goal at the end of this is to develop a common program that we can make available to growers to say, in most years, that this fertility program will manage their risk effectively," Coolong said. "There may be an odd year where heavy rains require a more nitrogen-intense program to maintain high yields, but, on average, what we're hoping to do is to take out some of that variability." Source -http://www.bellinghamherald.com

29.06.2015

Morocco - Bad weather, virus affects Moroccan citrus production

The 2014-2015 Moroccan citrus fruit season was affected by a lack of rain at the start of the season and then flooding at harvest. These factors led to a 14.3% decrease in production (1.9 million tons) compared to the previous season. But perhaps worse still is the effect of Citrus Tristeza Virus, which is particularly harmful for citrus fruits grafted from bitter orange roots, which is the case for 95% of Moroccan citrus production. To stop the virus spreading the government has launched a strategy to help pay back producers for trees that have been infected and plant new ones. According to Plan Maroc Vert, the country aims to produce 2.9 million tons of citrus and export 1.3 million tons by 2018. Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/ Morocco - Bad weather, virus affects Moroccan citrus productionThe 2014-2015 Moroccan citrus fruit season was affected by a lack of rain at the start of the season and then flooding at harvest. These factors led to a 14.3% decrease in production (1.9 million tons) compared to the previous season. But perhaps worse still is the effect of Citrus Tristeza Virus, which is particularly harmful for citrus fruits grafted from bitter orange roots, which is the case for 95% of Moroccan citrus production. To stop the virus spreading the government has launched a strategy to help pay back producers for trees that have been infected and plant new ones.

29.06.2015

USA - Crops see projected $300M hit from flooding

USA - Crops see projected $300M hit from floodingThis month’s heavy rains and flooding across much of Indiana have already reduced the state’s corn and soybean crop by nearly $300 million, agriculture experts estimated Friday, adding that the damage could escalate with more wet weather. The projected harvest for both crops has dropped about 5 percent since the heavy rainfall began in early June, Purdue University agricultural economist said. But the damage isn’t evenly spread. The worst is in northern Indiana, which has seen a foot or more of rainfall so far during June, leading to swamped farm fields.This month’s heavy rains and flooding across much of Indiana have already reduced the state’s corn and soybean crop by nearly $300 million, agriculture experts estimated Friday, adding that the damage could escalate with more wet weather. The projected harvest for both crops has dropped about 5 percent since the heavy rainfall began in early June, Purdue University agricultural economist Chris Hurt said. But the damage isn’t evenly spread. The worst is in northern Indiana, which has seen a foot or more of rainfall so far during June, leading to swamped farm fields. Lowland flooding continues along the Wabash and White rivers and some tributaries in southwestern Indiana. More than a third of the fields in some counties are in bad shape, such as Adams County in northeastern Indiana, where the St. Marys River had significant flooding last week. “We’re just in the midst of this now,” Hurt said. “We don’t know how much total damage there will be.” Some of the financial losses from crop damage could be offset by higher per-bushel prices, government assistance programs and crop insurance, he said. Indiana has had only four days this month during which it didn’t rain somewhere in the state, and long-range forecasts project above-average rainfall for much of the Midwest through the summer, associate state climatologist Ken Scheeringa said. This year’s crop damage is still far short of what Indiana saw during the 2012 drought, which resulted in nearly $1.5 billion crop insurance payments, according to Hurt. Counties must see a 30 percent production loss for at least one crop in order for farmers to qualify for federal disaster programs and low-interest loans, said Julia Wickard, state executive director of the federal Farm Service Agency. Damage assessments are still being done across the state and it isn’t clear whether any counties will be eligible for those programs, Wickard said. She urged any farmers with crop damage to report it to agriculture offices. The recent rainfall has knocked Indiana’s project corn harvest from the top one-quarter of historic yields to the bottom third in just a couple weeks, Hurt said. “We went from a well-above normal crop with a very good start to a very discouraging well-below normal,” he said. Source - http://www.greensburgdailynews.com/