As reported by NASS on October 14, 2014
Persistent Rains Slow Field Activities; Benefit Pastures Going into Fall
Persistent rains allowed producers only 3.8 days of field work last week. As conditions allowed, growers planted winter wheat and harvested corn, soybeans, and cotton. There were reports of light frost in some areas of the State. The rains contributed to cattle and pasture being in good to excellent condition. Continue reading at Crop Progress 10 12 14.
Corn production is forecast 80 million bushels higher at a record 14,475 million bushels as lower reported area is more than offset by a 2.5-bushel-per-acre increase in the yield. Corn supplies for 2014/15 are projected at 15,736 million bushels, up 129 million from last month reflecting both higher production and a 55-million-bushel increase in beginning stocks from the September Grain Stocks report. Continue reading at Dr. Aaron Smith’s comments . Profitability update for 2015 is on pages 13-16.
Corn, soybeans, cotton, and wheat were up for the week. Today the USDA released their monthly Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). U.S. corn yields were increased 2.5 bpa to 174.2 bpa. Partially offsetting the yield increase was a 700,000 acre decrease in harvested area. The net result was a modest increase in total domestic production from the September report of 80 million bushels. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.
Corn production in Tennessee is forecast at 131 million bushels, up 5 percent from the September forecast and up 3 percent from the previous crop. Yield was estimated at 160 bushels per acre, up 8 bushels from last month and up 4 bushels from the 2013 level. Acres for harvest as grain were estimated at 820 thousand acres, unchanged acres from 2013. Continue reading at OctCrop14_TN.
It looks like a race to the end of harvest to determine whether increased yields can offset the drop in prices and all costs can be covered for the 2014 crop year. If concern about how 2014 will end is not enough, planning for 2015 has already started among those producers considering wheat for 2015. Considering raising a few acres of wheat may not seem like a huge decision, it does put into play how all crops will be allocated on a farm. Continue reading at Southeast Farm Press
As reported by NASS on October 6, 2014
Dry conditions early in the week aide harvest
This past week farmers were harvesting corn, soybeans and cotton. Farmers were also cutting hay and tobacco. There were 5.7 days suitable for field work last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 8 percent very short, 29 percent short, 58 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 9 percent very short, 30 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Continue reading at Crop Progress 10 5 14.
Soybeans and wheat were up; corn and cotton were mixed for the week. This week saw modest increases in corn and soybean futures prices. These increases came after seven (November soybeans) and six (December corn) consecutive weeks where prices decreased from one Friday to the next. Increases in corn and soybean harvest futures are not likely to hold or perpetuate over the coming weeks however they may indicate that we are approaching a harvest futures low for both commodities. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.
Farmers can Update Yield History and/or Reallocate Base Acres through Feb. 27, 2015;
Producers Select the Safety Net Program Best for Their Operation Beginning Nov. 17, 2014 through March 31, 2015