RAIN RETURNS TO TENNESSEE

Rain returned to Tennessee last week with rainfall amounts ranging from a trace to over three inches. These rains delayed corn, cotton, and soybean harvest, but provided much needed moisture for recently planted wheat. Yield reports remain optimistic. Pasture conditions improved with the extra moisture. There were 4.5 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was 11 percent very short, 18 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 10 percent very short, 19 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Continue reading at TN_10_16_17. The U.S. Crop Progress report can be read at CropProg-10-16-2017.

Corn and soybeans were up; wheat was down; and cotton was mixed for the
week.

On Thursday, the USDA released the October World Agriculture Supply and
Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. Analysis of the report and market reaction
for corn, soybeans, cotton, and wheat is available at Tennessee Monthly Crop Comments.

The USDA also released the Crop Production report on Thursday. Nationally, average yields for corn, soybeans, and upland cotton were estimated to be 171.8 bu/acre, 49.5 bu/acre, and 877 lbs/acre, respectively. Corn was up 1.9 bu/acre, soybeans were down 0.4 bu/acre, and upland cotton was down 19 lbs/acre from last month’s USDA estimates. The decrease in soybean yield was the biggest surprise and soybean futures reacted accordingly closing up 25-30 cents for the day. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.

Released: October 12, 2017

Corn, soybean prospects remain promising in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the October Crop Production report today, showing good yield prospects despite recent hurricanes.
“Farmer participation in the October Agricultural Yield Survey allowed us the opportunity to properly assess damage from rains and wind generated by recent hurricanes since our September forecasts,” said Debra Kenerson, Tennessee State Statistician. “We appreciate their cooperation. The survey results show that the damage occurred primarily in preventing harvest of acreages lost to flooding and lodging. Yield prospects remain promising, with all but cotton and tobacco showing an increase in expected yields. Expected cotton yields remained steady while tobacco yields were expected to decrease because of the wet weather.” Continue reading at OctCrop17_TN.

October 12, 2017 – USDA World Supply and Demand Estimates

Corn

Market Reaction: December 2017 corn futures closed up 3 cents at $3.49 with a trading range for the day of $3.42 ½ to $3.54. December 2018 corn futures closed up 2 ½ cents at $3.94 ¾ with a trading range for the day of $3.89 ¼ to $3.99 ¾. The December 2017 contract set a new low at 11am when the report was released, however prices increased 11 cents in the minutes after the report was released before retreating throughout the remainder of the day to close up 3 cents. Yield was increased 1.9 bu/acre (bearish), harvested acreage was decreased 400,000 acres (bullish), and total use was increased 35 million bushels (bullish). At the end of the day, US ending stocks were projected up 5 million bushels at 2.34 billion (bearish) and foreign stocks were projected down 65 million bushels at 5.571 billion (bullish). Continue reading for additional comments and Profitability Outlook  update at Supply & Demand Estimates and Profitability Outlook.

Juvenile leaves in regrowth have been an issue this year, both where plants shut-down prior to the first harvest aid application and where a substantial period of time has passed since the last harvest aid application.    This blog article highlights the important aspects of removing juvenile growth with a follow-up harvest aid shot. Continue reading →

HIGH TEMPERATURES AND LITTLE RAIN CREATE CONCERN

Harvest is in full swing across the Volunteer State. Continued dry and warm conditions provided Tennessee producers multiple opportunities to continue or begin harvest on late season crops. Yield reports are optimistic, but the fear of damage due to dry conditions is surfacing. There were 6.4 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was 15 percent very short, 37 percent short, 46 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 13 percent very short, 24 percent short, 61 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.  Continue reading at TN_10_08_17. The U.S. Crop Progress report can be read at CropProg-10-10-2017.