All posts by Chuck Danehower, Extension Area Specialist - Farm Management

07 May 2012

Crop Progress

07 May 2012
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As reported by NASS on May 7, 2012

 

SCATTERED SHOWERS PROVIDE LITTLE RELIEF

Unusually high temperatures and sunny days combined to minimize the benefits of scattered showers that fell in many areas across the state. Reporters in all regions reiterated the need for a general soaking rain. Row crops were holding on with three-fourths of the corn and winter wheat acres rated in good-to-excellent condition. Crop development continues to advance well ahead of the normal pace. Pastures declined some from the previous week, but cattle were reported to be mostly good condition. Other farm activities this week included post-emergence herbicide and fertilizer applications, cutting hay, scouting for insects and diseases, harvesting strawberries, and continued assessment of freeze damage on fruit crops. Continue reading →


04 May 2012

Weekly Crop Marketing Comments

04 May 2012
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Soybean prices are mixed while corn, cotton, and wheat prices are down for the week. The June U.S. Dollar Index is trading midday at 79.58, up 0.82 for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average at midday was down 182 points for the week at 13,046. Crude Oil traded before the close at 98.29 a barrel, down 6.49 a barrel for the week. The April jobs report released today showed 115,000 jobs were created, well short of the expectation of 165,000. The unemployment rate fell to 8.1% from 8.2%, but only due to fewer people trying to find a job. Continue reading →


30 Apr 2012

Crop Progress

30 Apr 2012
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As reported by NASS on April 30, 2012

A GOOD GENERAL SOAKING RAIN NEEDED!

Rainfall totals throughout most of the state last week were below normal, which led to short-to-very short soil moisture supplies in almost forty percent of the farmland. All crops and pastures, however, remain rated in mostly good-to-excellent condition with development advancing well ahead of the normal pace. Continue reading →


27 Apr 2012

Weekly Crop Marketing Comments

27 Apr 2012
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Corn, soybean and wheat prices are up while cotton prices are mixed for the week. The June U.S. Dollar Index is trading midday at 78.73, down .58 for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average at midday was up 229 points for the week at 13,259. Crude Oil traded before the close at 104.79 a barrel, up 0.91 a barrel for the week. A good start to the planting season is being balanced against a shrinking South American soybean crop and the appearance of strong corn and soybean export sales. Continue reading →


23 Apr 2012

Crop Progress

23 Apr 2012
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As reported by NASS on April 23, 2012 

 CORN PLANTING ESSENTIALLY FINISHED, EXCEPT FOR BOTTOMS AND SILAGE

 

Corn planting reached almost 90 percent last week and growers reported that all that remains are some bottom land and silage fields. Normally, less than half the corn acreage is planted by this period of time. Soybean planting has started, but most producers commented that they would not get underway in earnest until May 1. Recent freeze damage assessment was in progress at week’s end. Nurseries, vineyards, and orchards have been hit hardest. Freeze damage appears to have been minimal for the corn, wheat, and strawberry crops. Tennessee’s wheat, corn, strawberries and pastures were reported to be in mostly good-to-excellent condition. Continue reading →


20 Apr 2012

Weekly Crop Marketing Comments

20 Apr 2012
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Cotton and soybean prices are mixed while corn and wheat prices are down for the week. The June U.S. Dollar Index is trading midday at 79.31, down .75 for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average at midday was up 185 points for the week at 13,035. Crude Oil traded before the close at 103.68 a barrel, up 0.36 a barrel for the week. News from Argentina’s Agriculture Ministry project that corn and soybean production there will be less than earlier thought. USDA may reduce Argentina’s production in the May report although a possible increase in Brazil and the Ukraine’s corn production could offset any corn reductions. Continue reading →


18 Apr 2012

Crop Progress

18 Apr 2012
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As reported by NASS on April 17, 2012

FIELDWORK AND CROP DEVELOPMENT AT RECORD PROGRESS LEVELS. Corn planting continued at a blistering pace last week and early hay and strawberry harvests began. The wheat crop was in the heading stage. These development events at week’s end were at a record rate that is a full three weeks ahead of the five-year average tempo. Many corn growers reported that they were completely finished planting. Tennessee’s wheat crop and pastures continued in good-to-excellent condition. Continue reading →


13 Apr 2012

Weekly Crop Marketing Comments

13 Apr 2012
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Cotton prices are up, corn and wheat prices are down while soybean prices are mixed for the week. The June U.S. Dollar Index is trading midday at 80.04, down .04 for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average at midday was down 126 points for the week at 12,934. Crude Oil traded before the close at 103.00 a barrel, down 0.31 a barrel for the week. Financial concerns in Europe have shifted from Greece to Spain and have been behind today’s strength in the Dollar which has put pressure on commodity prices. China’s first quarter Gross Domestic Product showed growth at 8.1% compared to guesses of 8.4% to 9% and at least for today has also put pressure on commodity prices. Continue reading →