Китай - USDA сохранило прогноз урожая рапса в Китае в 2015/16 МГ и снизило – сои
Китай - USDA сохранило прогноз урожая рапса в Китае в 2015/16 МГ и снизило – сои
12.06.2015
12.06.2015
India - Agriculture dept destroys transplanted paddy in Amritsar, Gurdaspur
India - Agriculture dept destroys transplanted paddy in Amritsar, GurdaspurSwinging into action, the agriculture department in the last two days has destroyed paddy in several villages of the district for transplanting the crop ahead of the schedule issued by the state government. As per the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Waters Act, 2009, transplanting paddy is prohibited before June 15. The step was taken by the state government to check the depleting water table as paddy sown before June 15 puts stress on groundwater.Swinging into action, the agriculture department in the last two days has destroyed paddy in several villages of the district for transplanting the crop ahead of the schedule issued by the state government. As per the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Waters Act, 2009, transplanting paddy is prohibited before June 15. The step was taken by the state government to check the depleting water table as paddy sown before June 15 puts stress on groundwater. Confirming surprise checks by the department, chief agriculture officer (CAO) Balwinder Singh Chhina on Thursday said by and large farmers abide by the instructions of the government and do not transplant paddy before June 15. There were a few cases wherein farmers had decided to defy the act and went in for transplantation, he added. There were a couple of cases in the Majitha agricultural block that came to the notice of agriculture officials and they immediately asked the farmers to destroy the crop. Similarly, there were two cases in the Attari block and one in the Jandiala block where action was taken. “The farmers who had their paddy destroyed did not suffer heavy losses as we took action just as they had begun sowing. The total area from where paddy was uprooted in the district is around 9-10 acres,” Chhina further said. In the Attari block, the agriculture department had to seek the help of the police after a farmer refused to uproot the transplanted crop and threatened the officials as well. But when the police arrived,the farmer himself destroyed the crop. The chief agriculture officer said that paddy sown in early June is totally dependent on groundwater for irrigation in the absence of rain during this period. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL)’s decision to start eight-hour power supply for the paddy season from June 10 onwards also caused confusion. Farmers were led to believe that the PSPCL order came as the government had allowed transplantation from June 10 onwards. Last year, the government had allowed transplantation from June 10 due to rain in early-June. Direct sowing on There is no restriction on the direct sowing of rice (DSR) technique. For the last two years, the government has been trying to popularise this method among farmers as it is a cost-effective and water-saving technique. The DSR does not involve puddling of the field in which the paddy saplings are transplanted. It is in fact dry sowing of paddy in the same way as wheat is sown. A seed drill is used for sowing the paddy and thereafter water is applied. This is cost effective as it involves no manual labour, hence cutting down the input cost by `2,500-3,000 per acre. Agriculture development officer (ADO) Gurdip Singh said, “About 995 acres have been covered under the DSR in the district so far. During the last paddy season, just 550 acres were covered under DSR in the district. This method is gradually becoming popular as it mainly cuts down the input cost.” Crop destroyed in five Gurdaspur villages The district agriculture department made farmers of five villages destroy transplanted paddy sown before the sowing schedule released by the state government. District chief agriculture officer Lakhwinder Singh Hundal said the destroyed paddy nursery belonged to Kartar Singh of Kotla Manjh Singh, Joginder Singh of Mansoorke, Baldev Singh of Tughalwal, Sukhdev Singh of Shishra and Surinder Singh of Fero Chechi villages. He said the department in the district had widely publicised that transplanting of seedlings of paddy nursery would begin on June 15, but these farmers had undertaken sowing before time, thus violating the government orders. On the other hand, the affected farmers expressed ignorance about the date fixed by the government for sowing of paddy. Interestingly, the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) started releasing eight-hour power supply to the farm sector in the district from June 10. As why power supply was released to the farm sector five days ahead of the schedule for sowing of paddy, superintending engineer (Gurdaspur circle) Jasbir Singh said it was related to the government’s policy matter. Majority of these farmers destroyed their sown crop in the presence of a team led by the chief agriculture officer by re-ploughing the fields using a tractor while one of them sprayed weed killer to destroy his crop sown in half acre of his field at Shishra village. The farmers who destroyed their paddy nursery on nine acres of land in these villages had to incur a loss of Rs 4.000 to Rs 5,000 per acre. Source - http://www.hindustantimes.com/
12.06.2015
USA - Michigan hop scouting report for June 10, 2015
USA - Michigan hop scouting report for June 10, 2015Hop bines in the north continue to grow quickly with some varieties already 10 feet up the string. Numerous downy mildew spikes and secondary leaf infections are present with severely infected or highly susceptible plants collapsing completely in some cases. Infected bines that were unknowingly trained earlier this season are failing to climb the string. Yards that did not have good early season weed control are really struggling to suppress large, established weeds in the row which is exacerbating the downy mildew problem. Northwest Michigan summary Hop bines in the north continue to grow quickly with some varieties already 10 feet up the string. Numerous downy mildew spikes and secondary leaf infections are present with severely infected or highly susceptible plants collapsing completely in some cases. Infected bines that were unknowingly trained earlier this season are failing to climb the string. Yards that did not have good early season weed control are really struggling to suppress large, established weeds in the row which is exacerbating the downy mildew problem. Weeds can prevent good fungicide coverage and increase drying time around the crown. Early herbicide applications when weeds are small are critical to season-long suppression. Growers may also consider using dormant preemergent herbicides in the future. Potato leafhopper numbers have risen quickly over the past week and twospotted spider mite are being seen in low numbers. Irrigation and fertigation systems are up and running. Bines are trained with many growers revisiting trained yards to correct bine number and retrain as needed. Southwest Michigan summary Bine growth will continue for a couple more weeks; mature hops will have that time to fill out the trellis. Downy mildew continues to develop on many hops in the area, including spiking in shoots and leaf infection. In hopyards scouted by Michigan State University Extension, potato leafhopper pressure has still been light this season. As leafhoppers proliferate, insecticide sprays may become necessary to manage them. However, pyrethroid applications will damage predator mite populations and cause outbreaks of twospotted spider mites. In any case, growers should also be scouting for twospotted spider mite in the coming weeks. Hopyards in the southwest are all strung and trained by now. Irrigation and continuing drip nitrogen (N) applications in the coming week will help push more bine growth, except on poorly-drained sites. Statewide report Wet and humid conditions last fall and this spring have provided ideal conditions for downy mildew to become a problem in Michigan hopyards. All hopyards, even new yards not exhibiting signs or symptoms of downy mildew, should be utilizing a season-long (from 6-inch bines through harvest) protectant fungicide program to minimize downy mildew infection. Even when growers follow best management practices, downy mildew can be a problem. The severity of downy mildew is increased by high disease pressure from previous outbreaks, conducive environmental conditions, poor fungicide timing, suboptimal spray coverage, fungicide wash-off, cultivar susceptibility or a combination of factors. In addition, fungicide resistance may play a role in some cases. Growers who were able to apply fungicide treatments on a protectant basis ahead of recent rain events are seeing lower infection levels, but still experiencing significant pressure for this time of the season. For more information about downy mildew biology and management, refer to “Management Options for hopyards with downy mildew” from MSU Extension. With significant leaf tissue present, growers should be scouting for twospotted spider mites, which are present in low numbers. Twospotted spider mites are a significant pest of hops in Michigan and can cause complete economic crop loss when high numbers occur. Twospotted spider mites decrease the photosynthetic ability of the leaves, cause direct mechanical damage to hop cones and act as a contaminate pest in harvested cones. They feed on the liquid in plant cells, eventually causing visible symptoms. Leaves take on a white appearance and will eventually defoliate under high pressure conditions. Intense infestations weaken the plant and reduce yield and quality. Infested cones develop a reddish discoloration, do not hold up to the drying process, and commonly have lower alpha levels and shorter storage potential. In the spring, only female twospotted spider mites are present. After they mate, females overwinter in a dormant stage on debris and trellis structures. They emerge in the spring already mated and ready to lay fertilized eggs, often appearing particularly orange in color this time of year. As the temperature warms, the females feed and begin laying eggs. Larvae emerge from the eggs in two to five days, depending on temperature, and develop into adults in one to three weeks, again depending on temperature. Twospotted spider mites like it hot with the pace of development increasing until an upper threshold around 100 degrees Fahrenheit is reached. Conversely, cold and wet weather slows down their development. Twospotted spider mites are very small but can be observed on the underside of leaves using a hand lens. As the season progresses, cast skins and old webbing give infested leaves a dusty and dirty appearance. The eggs look like tiny, clear spheres and are most commonly found in close proximity to adults and larvae. The larvae themselves are small, translucent versions of the adults which begin the season with a distinctly orange hue that changes over to translucent, yellow or green as they feed. Adults also have two distinctive dark spots, hence the name. When you are observing the underside of leaves, keep an eye out for beneficial predatory mites that actually feed on twospotted spider mites. Predatory mites are often translucent, larger than twospotted spider mites and move at a much faster speed across the leaf surface. Predatory mites play an important role in balancing the twospotted spider mite population and should be protected when possible by avoiding the use of broad spectrum insecticides. Refer to pages 11-12 of “Pesticides registered for use on hop in Michigan 2015” for more information about impacts of pesticides on beneficial mites. Growers should also continue to evaluate the prevalence of potato leafhoppers in hopyards. Storm systems that moved through over the last few weeks have carried adults from the Gulf Region and populations around the state have increased substantially over the past week as the adults have begun reproducing locally. Potato leafhoppers move in all directions when disturbed, unlike some leafhoppers that have a distinct pattern of movement. Adults and nymphs appear a fluorescent green color. Some very small nymphs are actually clear, but have the characteristic shape of the larger nymphs when viewed using a hand lens. Although hop plants are susceptible to potato leafhoppers, they can tolerate some level of feeding, and growers should be conservative in the application of insecticides. Potato leafhoppers causes what growers have termed “hopper burn,” which causes necrosis of the leaf margin in a v-shaped pattern and may cause a yellowed or stunted appearance as well. When hops bines are shaken quickly, adults will take flight. Growers can go through and shake bines and look for flying adults as a quick spot check. Confirm their presence by flipping leaves over and looking for adults and wingless nymphs on the undersides. Growers needing to treat for PLH can utilize labeled products containing neonicotinoids (IRAC group 4A, e.g., thiamethoxam and imidacloprid), pyrethroids (e.g., beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin and pyrethrin), organophosphates (group 1B, e.g., malathion), tetramic acid derivatives (group 23, e.g., spirotetramat) or spinosyns (group 5, e.g., spinosad). Organic growers can utilize spinosad or pyrethrin formulations that are OMRI-approved for PLH management. For a complete list of registered products and the chemical class to which they belong, see “Pesticides registered for use on hop in Michigan 2015.” Refer to pages 11-12 to determine which products will have the least negative impact on important beneficial insects like predatory mites. Source - http://msue.anr.msu.edu/
12.06.2015
Austria - Farmers face €1.2m damages
Austria - Farmers face €1.2m damagesThe heavy rains and hail of last weekend caused serious damage particularly for the farmers in the Austrian district of Tirol and more specifically the region Innsbruck-Land. Fruit and vegetable crops, maize, potatoes and fields were badly damaged. After initial surveys by the experts of the Austrian Hail Insurance, the extent of damage in the agricultural sector is estimated around EUR 1.2 million. A total of 4,000 hectares of farmland is affected. The heavy rains and hail of last weekend caused serious damage particularly for the farmers in the Austrian district of Tirol and more specifically the region Innsbruck-Land. Fruit and vegetable crops, maize, potatoes and fields were badly damaged. After initial surveys by the experts of the Austrian Hail Insurance, the extent of damage in the agricultural sector is estimated around EUR 1.2 million. A total of 4,000 hectares of farmland is affected. The top priority is immediate help, and the damage assessments have started. Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/
12.06.2015
Австралия - По данным ABARES в 2015 году урожай пшеницы и канолы в стране снизится, ячменя – повысится
Австралия - По данным ABARES в 2015 году урожай пшеницы и канолы в стране снизится, ячменя – повыситсяВ своем последнем отчете аналитики ABARES прогнозируют валовой сбор пшеницы в Австралии в 2015 г. на уровне 23,6 млн. тонн, что лишь незначительно уступает прошлогоднему результату (23,7 млн. тонн). Посевная площадь под зерновой озвучивается на уровне 2014 г. – 13,8 млн. га. Эксперты также ожидают снижения урожая канолы в стране в т.г. на 400 тыс. тонн в год – до 3 млн. тонн ввиду сокращения посевной площади на 400 тыс. га – до 2,3 млн. га. В свою очередь, производство австралийского ячменя в т.г. может повысится – до 8,2 млн. тонн против 8 млн. тонн годом ранее благодаря расширению площади сева под культурой на 200 тыс. га в год – до 4 млн. га.В своем последнем отчете аналитики ABARES прогнозируют валовой сбор пшеницы в Австралии в 2015 г. на уровне 23,6 млн. тонн, что лишь незначительно уступает прошлогоднему результату (23,7 млн. тонн). Посевная площадь под зерновой озвучивается на уровне 2014 г. – 13,8 млн. га. Эксперты также ожидают снижения урожая канолы в стране в т.г. на 400 тыс. тонн в год – до 3 млн. тонн ввиду сокращения посевной площади на 400 тыс. га – до 2,3 млн. га. В свою очередь, производство австралийского ячменя в т.г. может повысится – до 8,2 млн. тонн против 8 млн. тонн годом ранее благодаря расширению площади сева под культурой на 200 тыс. га в год – до 4 млн. га. Источник - http://www.apk-inform.com
12.06.2015
El Niño continues to build, raising chances of wet winter
El Niño continues to build, raising chances of wet winterIn a promising trend that increases the likelihood of steady storms this winter that could ease California’s historic drought, federal scientists on Thursday reported that El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean are continuing to grow stronger. The probability of an El Niño — defined as warmer water at the equator and shifting winds that can bring major weather changes — being present through the end of 2015 is now 85 percent, up from 80 percent last month, and 50 percent three months ago, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.In a promising trend that increases the likelihood of steady storms this winter that could ease California’s historic drought, federal scientists on Thursday reported that El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean are continuing to grow stronger. The probability of an El Niño — defined as warmer water at the equator and shifting winds that can bring major weather changes — being present through the end of 2015 is now 85 percent, up from 80 percent last month, and 50 percent three months ago, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “The big takeaway is that obviously El Niño has strengthened,” said Mike Halpert, deputy director for NOAA’s climate prediction center in College Park, Maryland. “We are more confident that it is going to last through the rest of the year, and at this point, we’re slightly favoring a strong event.” Most important: Trade winds are shifting in ways consistent with prior big El Niños, and sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near the equator are now 2 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than average in all five zones that El Niño researchers study, a trend not seen since 1997 when a California was hit was drenching rains and floods the following winter. To be sure, there are still six months before California’s winter rainy season. Many of those are expected to be brutally dry and hot summer months, with high fire risk. And scientists say promising El Niños have fizzled out in the past, most recently last year. “El Niño is a bad boy, and sometimes he disappoints. He could abandon us at the altar. It’s not a sure thing at this point,” said Bill Patzert, a research scientist and oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. “But it’s probably a good idea to clean out the flood control channels in preparation for January.” WATER WARNING California water officials have worried that news of a building El Niño could cause state residents to ease off water conservation. That could cause emergency shortages next year if El Niño doesn’t deliver a very wet winter, they note, given the state’s low reservoirs, depleted groundwater, rainfall deficits and non-existent snowpack after four years of historic drought. “Very few of us would empty our bank accounts today on the hopes of hitting the lottery next winter,” said Doug Carlson, a spokesman for the state Department of Water Resources. “And in the same vein, we can hope for rain, but we have to continue to conserve today.” Source - http://www.marinij.com/
11.06.2015
Украина - Минагропрод продолжает сотрудничество с IFC в сфере страхования
Украина - Минагропрод продолжает сотрудничество с IFC в сфере страхования
11.06.2015
Ученые NASA рассчитали изменение климата на Земле до 2100 года
Ученые NASA рассчитали изменение климата на Земле до 2100 годаАмериканские исследователи из организации «НАСА» (NASA) представили недавно свою модель расчетов, которая представляет собой изменение климата на Земле до 2100 года в двух вариантах – нормальном и экстренном содержании CO2 (углекислого газа). Ученые из американского исследовательского агентства NASA составили модель изменения климата на нашей планете на 85 лет вперед. В их расчеты входит два варианта прогноза – стабильная концентрация диоксид углерода (СО2) и экстремальная. Прогноз на длительный промежуток времени был создан на специально разработанной учеными платформе Earth Exchange. Отметим также, что с ее помощью исследователи ранее сделали такие же прогнозы для Соединенных Штатов Америки. При помощи компьютерной программы Earth Exchange специалисты ежедневно могут устанавливать температуру на Земле, выпадение осадков в любой точки мира, а также рассчитать последствия природных аномалий, таких как наводнение, засуха и прочее.
11.06.2015
USA - Colorado crop report grim following wet spring
USA - Colorado crop report grim following wet springMany crops in Colorado are not being planted or harvested anywhere near the rate they were last year. It's simply been too wet for some farmers to get into their fields. In Keenesburg Wednesday, farmers said they are just hoping to break even. One farmer stands between two fields on the farm his family has run since the 50s. On one side is a field of waist-high, vibrant, green, winter wheat. On the other side is several acres of dirt, usually full of near knee-high corn by now. He can't help but be excited about what could be the best wheat harvest for him in years.Many crops in Colorado are not being planted or harvested anywhere near the rate they were last year. It's simply been too wet for some farmers to get into their fields. In Keenesburg Wednesday, farmers said they are just hoping to break even. Marc Arnusch stands between two fields on the farm his family has run since the 50s. On one side is a field of waist-high, vibrant, green, winter wheat. On the other side is several acres of dirt, usually full of near knee-high corn by now. He can't help but be excited about what could be the best wheat harvest for him in years. "Maybe those will offset some of the losses we may see on the corn side," he said. That idle farmland won't have any corn planted in it this year. The rain delayed planting too long. "My bottom line looks terrible right now. If we lose a crop to early freeze or we just can't get anything to mature, it really puts our farm at a disadvantage, and it may even threaten our farm's survival long term," Arnusch said. The effect of this wet spring is widespread. Arnusch estimates that several farmers in Greeley and Windsor have idled 50 to 60 percent of their land bases. Beyond Arnusch's income, supplemented by a modest crop insurance, he fears letting go of his workers. "They might not be blood but they are like family. You would just hate to have to lay somebody off like that," he said. How bad is it? The USDA publishes a weekly Colorado Crop Progress report. Only 15 percent of alfalfa have seen a first cutting. That is down from 35 percent the same time last year. Seventy-two percent of corn planted has emerged from the ground. It was 93 percent this time last year. It's a sure sign that many farmers are pushing corn harvest into late fall, where the threat of a first freeze wipeout looms. "This year is a challenge. That's agriculture. We've always found a way to survive," Arnusch said. He really has no choice. There are so many factors that play into keeping a crop healthy. He's hoping what he's got makes it through the impending and inevitable thunder and hail storms, which have the potential to destroy his pristine wheat field. The consumer will take a hit too. Arnusch sells to several Colorado-based processing companies. "When I can't produce alfalfa the dairy down the road needs, it can't produce the milk needed for the Leprino Cheese factory in Greeley. [Farmers] can't produce eggs in local chicken farms because of reduced amounts of corn," he said. What farmers need now are warm dry weeks ahead to help crops mature. Things aren't looking bright going into the next few days. Arnusch knows he cannot change the weather. All he can do is control what's in front of him and hope for the best. "As a farmer we always have to be the eternal optimist. We always have to look for better days around the corner," he said. Source - http://www.9news.com/
11.06.2015
India - Crop loss estimated at Rs. 711.20 cr in Karnataka
India - Crop loss estimated at Rs. 711.20 cr in KarnatakaAgricultural and horticultural corps worth Rs. 711.20 crore were damaged owing to untimely rains accompanied by hailstorm in April and May in 11 districts of Karnataka. The State Government presented a memorandum on the crop loss to a Central team. Karnataka was expecting relief of Rs. 151.28 crore from the Centre under the State Disaster Response Fund, for providing compensation to farmers who had lost crops.Agricultural and horticultural corps worth Rs. 711.20 crore were damaged owing to untimely rains accompanied by hailstorm in April and May in 11 districts of Karnataka. The State Government presented a memorandum on the crop loss to a Central team headed by R.B. Sinha, Joint Secretary, Union Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, which winded up the three-day tour to the State on Wednesday. Karnataka was expecting relief of Rs. 151.28 crore from the Centre under the State Disaster Response Fund, for providing compensation to farmers who had lost crops. “Short spell of hailstorm and strong winds has caused intensive damages to both agriculture and horticulture crops spread over 1.05 lakh hectares in 11 districts,” the memorandum said. Team members which toured Kalaburagi, Raichur, Ballari, Bidar, Chikballapur, Kolar and Bengaluru Rural districts to assess the crop damage, held a two-hour long meeting with Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra, Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and Horticulture Minister Shyamanur Shivashankarappa and obtained the more details. Top officials of various departments too were present. Later, speaking to presspersons Mr. Jayachandra and Mr. Gowda said that the team would expected to submit a detailed report to the Union Agriculture Ministry soon. “The team members are 100 per cent convinced. We requested early release of the relief fund,” Mr. Jayachandra said. Ministers said the State had already released Rs. 219 crore to Deputy Commissioners for payment of the compensation to farmers who had lost/damaged paddy crop. The compensation amount had been fixed at Rs. 25,000 per hectare. There was delay in the Central Team’s visit following enforcement of model code of conduct due to elections to Gram Panchyats. Source - http://www.thehindu.com/
11.06.2015
India - Veeri directs assessment of fruit crop loss
India - Veeri directs assessment of fruit crop lossExpressing concern over the damage to the standing crops and fruits due to recent hailstorm in north Kashmir, the Minister for Horticulture, Hajj & Auqaf, today directed the concerned authorities to rush joint teams of revenue and horticulture department officials to the affected areas for assessment of losses in the area. The people in Kashmir are mainly dependent on agriculture and horticulture for livelihood and damage to this sector due to hailstorm has set a serious blow to them.Expressing concern over the damage to the standing crops and fruits due to recent hailstorm in north Kashmir, the Minister for Horticulture, Hajj & Auqaf, Abdul Rehman Veeri today directed the concerned authorities to rush joint teams of revenue and horticulture department officials to the affected areas for assessment of losses in the area. Veeri said the people in Kashmir are mainly dependent on agriculture and horticulture for livelihood and damage to this sector due to hailstorm has set a serious blow to them. The Minister said the administration of the Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora districts should act swiftly to assess the quantum of damage caused to the fruit crops and submit the report to the government for providing the necessary relief to the affected growers. The Minister instructed the functionaries of horticulture and SKUAST to issue necessary advisory for spray of pesticides to save the damaged fruit. Veeri also called for institutionalizing the crop insurance scheme in the State so that the growers are assured of compensation for the losses suffered during such types of natural calamities. He observed that our orchards need a complete makeover so that both crop yield and quality of fruit match the standard benchmarks. Referring to the huge damage suffered by the horticulture sector in last year’s floods, the Minister said an effective mechanism has to be worked out for providing weather-based crop insurance, in particular to apple orchardists, so that some sort of financial security and risk cover is extended to them. He said that the insurance scheme for fruit growers will also cater to the losses suffered on account of hailstorm. The Minister said that under the new insurance scheme, the Government envisages to cover 70% of the total area under apple cultivation. Veeri directed the Horticulture Department to expedite the modalities for providing insurance cover to the fruit growers, who remain vulnerable to weather vagaries. Source - http://www.kashmirtimes.in/
11.06.2015
USA - California sizes up drought prospects
USA - California sizes up drought prospectsMore California crop acreage is being removed from production in 2015, but most of the resulting price increases will be under 2%, according to an analysis done for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. At 564,000 acres, fallowing will be up 33% over last year as growers cope with the state’s fourth year of drought, according to the preliminary estimate by University of California, Davis researchers. That would cut gross farm revenue about $856 million.More California crop acreage is being removed from production in 2015, but most of the resulting price increases will be under 2%, according to an analysis done for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. At 564,000 acres, fallowing will be up 33% over last year as growers cope with the state’s fourth year of drought, according to the preliminary estimate by University of California, Davis researchers. That would cut gross farm revenue about $856 million. They compared this year’s drought effects to years of average water supply. Surface water is even scarcer in 2015 than last year. Growers are forecast to pump 6.2 million acre-feet of groundwater to partially make up for an 8.7 million shortage. The added pumping is projected to cost $595 million. When pumping costs, job losses, livestock, dairy and other factors are added in, the state’s agricultural industry anticipates drought losses of $2.7 billion. The estimate pegs direct job losses at 8,560 full- and part-time jobs. But when spillover effects and increased pumping costs are factored in, total losses are closer to 18,600. The loss in irrigated crop revenues statewide for vegetables is estimated at $107.7 million, and for orchard and vines at $82.8 million. Resulting price increases of less than 2% on most items are “quite small,” according to the researchers. But price increases of even less than 1% will benefit growers, at least in some parts of the state, they said. Berry and wine grape producers, for example, on the Central Coast or in Southern California are most likely to benefit from any statewide price increase. The state’s situation isn’t as dire as it would be with less groundwater pumping, but the researchers also offered a caution. “The socioeconomic impacts of an extended drought, in 2016 and beyond, could be much more severe,” they wrote. Source - http://www.agprofessional.com/
11.06.2015
USA - Crop Insurance Helps Many Texas Farmers
USA - Crop Insurance Helps Many Texas FarmersAfter all that severe weather in May, some crops out in Wilbarger County are just fields of unusable, damaged wheat. It's just another reminder that crop insurance policies are crucial for farmers. It's just going to be a really slim crop this year. It's been a tough season for farmers in the area. A crop insurance agent in Vernon says since April he`s been busy assessing crop damages non-stop With so many wheat and canola farmers losing out on harvesting this year crop insurance is a must.After all that severe weather in May, some crops out in Wilbarger County are just fields of unusable, damaged wheat. It's just another reminder that crop insurance policies are crucial for farmers. "It's just going to be a really slim crop this year," said Lisa Singleton, a crop insurance agent in Vernon. It's been a tough season for farmers in the area. "Basically it's wheat right now," said Singleton. "There is some canola right now." Lisa Singleton, a crop insurance agent in Vernon says since April shes been busy assessing crop damages non-stop "This year the adjusters are still out in the area assessing the damage. Primarily, from the hail, we've got a lot of damage out there," Singleton says. "But hail, wind, the rain has caused a lot of damage, so that's probably the primary causes of loss at this point in time." With so many wheat and canola farmers losing out on harvesting this year crop insurance is a must. "Crop insurance is so beneficial to them. It has kept most of the farmers in this area in business," Singleton says. "The adjusters will go out there and assess the damage and assess against their type of policy and then if they are in a loss situation, they will recive a claim payment." Singleton says crop insurance helps farmers survive unpredictable weather, from devastating drought conditions to tornadoes. "At this point in time, you just don't know. And to cover themselves financially I think everyone should be looking at crop insurance for the future." Singleton says that farmers are guaranteed a certain amount of bushels per acre depending on the type of policy that they have. Some farmers, she says, are fortunate enough to have about 30 bushels per acre, but others will be lucky if they can get seven bushels per acre. Source - http://www.myhighplains.com/
11.06.2015
Crop adjustments could lower effects of climate change
Crop adjustments could lower effects of climate change If countries and farmers make adjustments in what crops they grow and where, then the effects of climate change on the global economy may not be as severe as feared. An associate professor of economics, writes in a new policy brief for the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research that because of agriculture’s small share in total gross domestic product for nations around the world, the expected impact on global GDP could be considerably smaller if farmers made those changes.If countries and farmers make adjustments in what crops they grow and where, then the effects of climate change on the global economy may not be as severe as feared, say economists. Dave Donaldson, an associate professor of economics, writes in a new policy brief for the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research that because of agriculture’s small share in total gross domestic product for nations around the world, the expected impact on global GDP could be considerably smaller if farmers made those changes. “We find that much of the potential harm that could be done by climate change, in terms of reducing farmers’ earnings, will be avoided if farmers are able to switch the crop that they grow in response to changing relative yields,” says Donaldson. In many areas of the world, he notes, many experts predict climate change will affect yields for some crops, but not all, and this may depend on location. For example, many regions are expected to see changes in wheat and rice productivity, the world’s two most important crops. “If climate change were to (in some regions) make wheat scarce, how willing would consumers there be to substitute imported wheat, or rice, instead?” writes Donaldson, who conducted his research with MIT economists Arnaud Costinot and Cory Smith. In their simulations, if the countries’ trade flows are constrained so that they cannot respond to climate change, those countries are not harmed much more by climate change than they would be in the absence of that constraint, he says. Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/
10.06.2015
USA - Farmers racing the rain
USA - Farmers racing the rainCopious rain has forced on-again, off-again planting schedules in many areas of Nebraska, as well as washed out seeds and flooded fields. And time is running short to get seeds in the ground. Each day that passes drops yield potential and brings farmers closer to insurance deadlines and the first frost. Farmers had 83 percent of Nebraska’s soybean crop planted as of Sunday, well behind the 99 percent mark on the same date last year and the five-year average of 95 percent, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s crop report.Copious rain has forced on-again, off-again planting schedules in many areas of Nebraska, as well as washed out seeds and flooded fields. And time is running short to get seeds in the ground. Each day that passes drops yield potential and brings farmers closer to insurance deadlines and the first frost. Farmers had 83 percent of Nebraska’s soybean crop planted as of Sunday, well behind the 99 percent mark on the same date last year and the five-year average of 95 percent, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s crop report. Only 59 percent of the beans planted this year have emerged, compared with 89 percent last year. The corn crop -- which gets planted earlier than soybeans and for the most part was in the ground by the time the spring deluge hit -- is 89 percent emerged, trailing the 97 percent seen at this time last year. Fields that were planted timely and didn’t see flooding look good, said Tyler Williams, a cropping systems educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. Nebraska’s corn crop rated 65 percent good to excellent, 30 percent fair and 5 percent very poor to poor, according to the crop report produced by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. In Southeast Nebraska many producers were able to get their planters out of the barn only a handful of days since early May. On the few days they were able to get in their fields, many farmers worked well past sundown racing the next rain. “A week ago today, it was almost midnight, and we were still going. I got on top of a hill and it looked like tractors everywhere running,” said Ithaca area farmer and Soybean Board member Richard Bartek. Those with planting left to do are running out of time. “We’re starting to push the limit on when you can actually get a soybean crop in and receive something at harvest. The next week to 10 days will be pretty critical for getting things in the ground,” Williams said. “Hopefully these next few days' warm temperatures and a little breeze will dry things out enough to get in the fields. But it sounds like another shot of rain is coming this weekend.” For soybeans, farmers lose a half bushel off their yield per acre every day after May 1, said Jim Specht, UNL professor emeritus of agronomy and horticulture. “If you could have planted on May 1 and you planted on June 1, that is 30 days and a 15 bushel (per acre) loss,” Specht said. “You can kiss that money goodbye.” Dewitt area farmer Greg Peters spent Monday afternoon chatting with his insurance adjustor. They had planned to look at an 85-acre cornfield, which Peters had already replanted once due to flooding and was underwater again thanks to the surging Big Blue River and Turkey Creek. On higher ground, rain has washed out nitrogen he put on earlier in the season, and he has to decide whether to put more money into fertilizer or let the plants go without. “It’s an economics game. Are you going to have a decent crop and $3 prices next fall, or are you going to have a bumper crop and maybe you can afford to put a few more dollars toward your fertilizer program?” Peters said. It’s unlikely the planting problems will affect commodity prices, said Nebraska Soybean Board Executive Director Victor Bohuslavsky. “We’re too small of an area to affect what happens with the big picture,” he said. “The best looking crops are in Illinois right now.” Grain futures were higher Monday on the Chicago Board of Trade. Producers have to report acres they are unable to plant within 15 days after the final planting dates established by the USDA’s Farm Service and Risk Management agencies. Dates vary by region. Source - http://columbustelegram.com
10.06.2015
UK - TGAC awarded £100k to combat sugar beet crop infection
UK - TGAC awarded £100k to combat sugar beet crop infectionThe Plant & Microbial Genomics Group at The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) has been awarded £100k towards the identification of the sources of infection and reinfection of the sugar beet crop across the UK. Sugar production from sugar beet accounts for 20 per cent of the world's supply. Erysiphe betae, a sugar beet powdery mildew can cause sugar yield losses of up to 20 per cent. Presently, to reduce the impact of E. betae, the main methods are fungicidal treatments and a range of partially resistant varieties. The Plant & Microbial Genomics Group at The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) has been awarded £100k towards the identification of the sources of infection and reinfection of the sugar beet crop across the UK. Sugar production from sugar beet accounts for 20 per cent of the world's supply. Erysiphe betae, a sugar beet powdery mildew can cause sugar yield losses of up to 20 per cent. Presently, to reduce the impact of E. betae, the main methods are fungicidal treatments and a range of partially resistant varieties. However, despite annual surveys for E. betae prevalence little is known about the disease’s diversity, its source of infection and strains that re-infect after fungicidal treatment. Following a successful proposal, titled: “Discovering the source of sugar beet infection and re-infection by Erysiphe betae”, the British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) granted TGAC the funding to, quantify the diversity of the UK E. betae species, determine the source of infection of the sugar beet crop, and identify the effects of fungicidal application on pathogen genetic diversity. The research project will use a hundred E. betae genome sequences from both an agricultural and wild setting, contributed via the BBRO and wider sugar beet industry, and will analyse the pathogen to design genetic markers that will be used in a rapid detection technology to identify infection in sugar beet species. This will be accompanied by the generation of a draft genome assembly of a secondary beet pathogen, the rust Uromyces beticola, which will allow the research team to gain further insight into the sugar beet pathogen, answering questions regarding its size and complexity, and informing potential follow-up studies. Dr Mark McMullan, Population & Evolutionary Biologist in the Plant & Microbial Genomics Group at TGAC, said: “Evolution of powdery mildew in the wild may drive adaptation to crop hosts and cause losses in agriculture. By analysing the population genetics of pathogens that span both wild and agricultural ecosystems we hope to shed light on the causes of sugar beet infection and also on the causes of agricultural host-pathogen evolution.” Priorities in the sugar beet industry are to protect and promote sugar beet yield and performance and an important part of this objective is to decrease yield losses caused by fungal pathogens. Currently, the main treatments for E. betae, are the triazole/strobilurin fungicides which are currently under scrutiny, due to concerns of their effects on the human endocrine system. Alternatives to widespread fungicide treatment are: targeted fungicidal applications and optimal deployment of current resistant cultivars via improved disease forecasting and identification of pathogen reservoirs. Dr Matthew Clark, Plant & Microbial Genomics Group Leader, said: “Wild plants can often be a reservoir of agricultural diseases especially important if it’s where they complete their life cycle. A better understanding the biology of E. betae and how modern agriculture is affecting it could enable better land management to minimise yield loss, pesticide use and harm to the environment.” Understanding the diversity of a pathogen population can improve development of resistant cultivars, facilitate treatment programmes and allow the identification of new infectious strains. Studying the diversity of E.betae strains will inform resistance trials and allow for the future development of targeted treatment of possible virulent strains. Identification of genetic variation will enable the researchers to design DNA markers for an infield detection system using an isothermal DNA amplification system from TwistDx as a diagnostic tool. Knowing the source of the E. betae agricultural outbreak will inform surveillance and treatment decisions to reduce fungicide treatment. By analysing E. betae species that infect both before and after fungicidal treatment will identify those that are more resistant to current treatment strategies. E. betae genome sequencing is especially favourable because of the recent release of the sugar beet genome sequence. Together, these genomic resources are valuable tools for the future discovery of novel resistance genes for E. betae infection and improved sugar beet varieties. Dr Lawrence Percival-Alwyn, Research Associate in Plant & Microbial Genomics at TGAC, added: “Currently it’s unknown how fungicidal treatment affects the success of different E.betae strains. By sequencing strains that infect prior to and those that re-emerge following fungicidal treatment, we hope to identify those strains that are more resistant to current treatments. With greater insight into the mode of infection and progression of E. betae on the sugar beet crop, combined with strain specific identification in the form of a diagnostic assay, the ultimate goal is to inform disease management strategy and potentially introduce targeted treatment programmes.” TGAC’s research has the potential to lead to the development of markers for an infield diagnostic test for Erysiphe betae. Scientists will develop two types of DNA-based diagnostic tests, lab-based and infield based test kits using the TwistDx technology. TGAC is strategically funded by BBSRC and operates a National Capability to promote the application of genomics and bioinformatics to advance bioscience research and innovation. Source - http://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/