There have been numerous calls on burned cotton from either Dual, Outlook or Warrant tankmixed with herbicides like XtendiMax, Engenia or Enlist One. There are a couple reasons for the additional burn we have seen so far this spring. Continue reading
UNEVEN RAINS FRUSTRATE FARMERS
Heavy rains in some areas drove farmers from the field while some eastern counties found themselves still needing rain. Planting of corn, soybeans and cotton continued. Hay producers reported a substantial drop in quality and yields from previous years. Unseasonably high temperatures placed a great deal of stress on cattle and other livestock. There were 3.9 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 21 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 2 percent very short, 7 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 22 percent surplus. Continue reading at TN_05_29_18. The U.S. Crop Progress report can be read at CropProg-05-29-2018.
Corn, soybeans, cotton, and wheat were up for the week. Corn and soybean markets continue to closely follow the trade situation with China and weather across key production regions. This week easing of trade tensions with China caused an immediate 20 cent increase in soybean futures on Monday with additional price increases for the rest of the week. Corn futures also had a similar rally. The trade news this week was very positive for agriculture (China indicated it would by “large amounts” of US agricultural and energy products to help narrow its trade deficit with the US), however negotiations remain very fluid and could result in continued market volatility (up or down) as negotiations continue to evolve. Drought concerns are at the forefront of wheat and cotton futures markets. Dry conditions in the Southern Plains have helped push wheat and cotton futures to new six month highs. Additionally, dry conditions in the Dakotas and Minnesota could continue to support wheat futures. July wheat futures are up 68 ½ cents since April 23 closing on Friday at $5.43. December cotton has accelerated its upward move gaining over 5 cents since May 16. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.
Corn: Since the beginning of May, September corn futures have traded in a sideways pattern. The mid-day price of $4.14 for the September contract is only two cents higher than the closing price of $4.12, which occurred on May 1st. The sideways pattern can be attributed to a few things. We have experienced some delays in parts of the Midwest. However, as of May 20, we have already planted 80% of the crop, which is in line with the 5-year average. We have also yet to hit volatile stages of the growing season when weather dictates the market price direction. These factors combined with a not-so upsetting WASDE report this month has resulted in the market not swinging wildly in either direction. New crop corn basis is averaging -$0.09 as of today. Continue reading
PROGRESS IN PLANTING
Producers in Tennessee took full advantage of 4.7 days suitable for field work this week. Many report significant gains in planting of corn, full season soybeans, and cotton. Other fieldwork included herbicide and nitrogen applications to corn and hay cutting. There are concerns circulating through the state in regard to varying need for rain, cattle prices, and hay yields. Overall, pastures and cattle are in good condition and rain is in the forecast. Topsoil moisture was 2 percent very short, 8 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 25 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 2 percent very short, 7 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 23 percent surplus. Continue reading at TN_05_21_18. The U.S. Crop Progress report can be read at CropProg-05-21-2018.
This weather pattern has Palmer amaranth management in a terrible fix for many fields in West Tennessee. The rain that has occurred on an almost daily basis for over a week in many areas has delayed early POST herbicide applications. The forecast for rain into June looks to be a similar pattern. There will likely be a very small window to spray until the first week of June for numerous fields. Palmer amaranth is growing quickly and now is often in the 1 to 3” range where a PRE was used and 10 to 14” range in fields where no PRE was used. Continue reading
Walking field fields in Tennessee, one might find some diseases including stripe rust, leaf rust, and head scab (fusarium head blight).
We’ve had a pretty good run of cutworms in some fields, but we’ve also had some mistaken identity where armyworms have actually been the problem. This has been in situations where wheat cover crop was infested with armyworms. If the cover crop is killed close to or after planting, there is potential for armyworms to feed on emerging seedlings and cause injury similar to cutworms. I’d recommend using a pyrethroid Continue reading