This article is by Gus Lorenz, Extension Entomologist with The University of Arkansas. It is good information for Tennessee producers.
Seems like most everybody who retails ag inputs is offering products that they profess will boost yields, even make ‘em skyrocket. Only problem is, claims often aren’t backed up with unbiased data to prove that these materials provide growers with a return on investment–that ROI that should guide every decision. Continue reading at Arkansas Row Crops Blog.
“What changes are you looking at in your operation for 2016?” If the 2014 and 2015 production years worked well, then maybe no changes are needed. If you struggled to pay all financial obligations or burned through capital reserves, then maybe a change is in order. Continue reading at Southeast Farm Press.
Corn: Corn traded higher today due to better export figures in this week’s export report. Exports were helped by support from the wheat market and due to a lower dollar. Analysts are reporting that corn acres may be higher than what the USDA reported at the Outlook Forum last month. USDA has estimated that the 2016 crop will be about 90.0 million acres. The soil temperature in the Midwest is warmer than it has been the past few years due to a milder winter. Continue reading
This link to Supply & Demand Estimates and Profitability Outlook contains a summary of the USDA’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. Domestic balance sheets for corn, soybeans, cotton, and wheat are displayed along with price reaction in futures markets for each commodity on the day of the report release. Additionally, supply and demand estimates for key importing and exporting countries are provided for the current month along with change in estimates from the previous report. The Profitability Outlook section contains estimated returns per acre for each commodity based on 2015 Tennessee state average/trend yields and current price offerings (note: cotton prices include a seed and hauling rebate). Variable expenses are based on the University of Tennessee Extension 2016 Row Crop Budgets. Prices are updated monthly; expenses are updated as warranted during the year and may be different than the expenses contained in the 2016 Row Crop Budgets. This section provides an estimation of the current relative profitability amongst major row crops in Tennessee.
The report is prepared monthly by Dr. Aaron Smith and Chuck Danehower.
West Tennessee grain bids are in the attached PDF located at the bottom of the article.
Corn: Corn exports were reported to be up from last week in the latest export inspection report released today by the USDA. This week’s total exports was higher than anticipated and helped corn futures close a little higher today. The price discovery period for crop insurance ended February 29, 2016. Based on December corn futures, the price for Continue reading
Corn imports are projected 10 million bushels higher based on recent imports of corn into southeastern U.S. feed markets. Corn exports are projected 50 million bushels lower as larger supplies of South American corn further increase competition for U.S. exports. Partly offsetting is a 25-million-bushel increase in projected U.S. corn use for ethanol based on the strong pace of ethanol production during January, as indicated by weekly Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, and higher forecast gasoline consumption. Corn ending stocks for 2015/16 are raised 35 million bushels. Continue reading at UT Monthly Crop and Profitability Outlook.
Where am I? Where am I going? How do I get there? Sounds like I need a GPS. But a good farm financial plan can also answer these questions and serve as a map to your farm finances. Farm financial planning is used to evaluate the overall health of the farm business and determine the direction the business is going. Continue reading at Southeast Farm Press.
Meeting season is in full swing, and there are several educational opportunities fast approaching (see below). Pesticide re-certification points and CCA points will be available at all these meeting. Additional details will be provided soon! Continue reading