The planning period for producers is over and it is now time to put the plans in place. There may be a few acres undecided on which crop to plant but at this point those acres will be more determined by planting conditions and weather than by other factors.

Overall, we are seeing a little more optimism this year compared to a year ago. Some of that optimism has been tempered lately by the March 31 Prospective Plantings report and by weakness in the grain and cotton markets. With large supplies and more than adequate acres of planting intentions, the realization that prices are going to have a hard time rallying up from current levels is starting to sink in. Continue reading at Southeast Farm Press.