Corn and soybeans were up; cotton was down; and wheat was mixed for the week. Soybean and corn futures prices had a great Thanksgiving week. January soybean futures increased over 50 cents and March corn appreciated almost 10 cents. In Tennessee, basis did soften for both commodities but net prices to producers were up for the week. The primary catalyst for the rising prices was again strong export sales. Export sales continue to remain strong in spite of the appreciating USD. The focus for the markets will continue to be export demand and South American (Brazil and Argentina) growing conditions and crop progress.  Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.

PRODUCERS ANXIOUS FOR RAIN

The persistent lack of rain across the State still torments our agricultural producers. Pastures, which cattle producers depended on going into the winter have suffered and are, therefore, unable to provide the needed nutrition, resulting in hay to being fed earlier than normal. Additionally, the lack of rain has caused water shortages, resulting in producers having to haul water to supplement drying ponds. Winter wheat seeding has been delayed because of dry conditions which, in most cases, are producing spotty stands.Continue reading Tennessee NASS report at tn_11_21_16. The U.S. Crop Progress report can be read at cropprog-11-21-2016.

Corn and wheat were mixed; and cotton and soybeans were up for the week. 2016 was an excellent production year for the US: corn production is estimated at 15.2 billion bushels and average yield at 175.3 bu/acre; soybean production is estimated at 4.36 billion bushels and average yield at 52.5 bu/acre; cotton production is estimated at 16.16 million bales and average yield at 803 lbs/acre; and wheat production is estimated at 2.31 billion bushels and average yield at 52.6 bu/acre. The USDA will continue to revise production and yield estimates as additional information becomes available however at this time it is unlikely substantial reductions will occur. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.

COOLER TEMPERATURES ARRIVE

Cooler temperatures arrived last week, with several counties reporting the first frosts of the season. Unfortunately, the cooler weather brought little to no rain. Pasture conditions continued to decline due to dry conditions. Livestock producers continued to feed hay and haul water as some ponds were drying up. The dry weather has forced some livestock producers to cull their herds. A few wheat farmers planted their crops hoping that rain will come soon. Continue reading Tennessee NASS report at tn_11_14_16. The U.S. Crop Progress report can be read at cropprog-11-14-2016