Planters are rolling this week as growers race to get corn in the ground. Some producers have reported starting on soybeans or grain sorghum, as they wait for wet fields to dry up enough to get back to corn. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on April 27, 2015
CORN PLANTING FINALLY RESTARTS, SOME SOYBEANS AND COTTON PLANTED
At last, weather conditions improved slightly and allowed some fields to dry out enough that corn planting could start again. There were some fields that were still too muddy to plant but producers made as much progress as possible. Some soybeans and cotton were planted, in line with normal averages. There were 2.8 days suitable for field work last week. Topsoil moisture was 56 percent adequate and 44 percent surplus. Continue reading at Crop Progress 4 26 15.
Cotton was up; corn was down; and Soybeans and wheat were mixed for the week. This week, December 2015 corn futures established new lows for 2015. The December 2015 corn contract low was $3.64/bu set back on Oct 1, 2014. Despite strong export sales this week, USDA estimated corn exports still lag behind the needed pace to meet their marketing year estimates. Reduced export sales could push 2014-15 marketing year ending stocks close to 2 billion bushels (currently estimated at 1.8 billion) and continue to provide downward price pressure. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.
So far little disease has been noted in Tennessee, but with the warmer and continuing wet weather that can change. Such weather can particularly lead to high risk for Fursarium Head Blight (FHB or Head Scab) infection. Continue reading
There has been little corn planted to this point. Judging by the phone calls today some of that early planted corn will need to be replanted due to all the wet and cold weather. The question arises how to control the old corn stand and plant back to corn quickly. Continue reading
With planting hopefully right around the corner, many people are thinking about using Gramoxone (paraquat) as a last minute burndown for its effectiveness and lack of replant interval. Gramoxone is a very good broad spectrum herbicide that is “money” on many winter annual broadleaf weeds and also quite good on poa. On the main winter annual weed horseweed (marestail) though, control can range from 30 to 90%. The question is why? So we conducted research this spring to see if time of day Gramoxone is applied has an effect on horseweed control. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on April 20, 2015
CORN PLANTING PRACTICALLY AT A STANDSTILL
Corn producers suffered another week of wet weather that prevented them from planting corn. The crop is only 6 percent planted compared to a five-year average of 43 percent. Strawberry season is running behind normal because of the cold winter followed by persistent rains. Strawberries, normally available at the end of April, are about 2 weeks behind. There were only 1.1 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was 42 percent adequate and 58 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were 59 percent adequate, and 41 percent surplus. Continue reading at Crop Progress 4 19 15.
Corn and soybeans were up; cotton and wheat were down for the week. 2015 harvest corn and soybean futures have traded in a reasonably consistent range for most of 2015. December corn futures have traded from $3.92 to $4.32, while November soybeans have traded from $9.33 to $10.31. Both commodities were at the high end of the range to start January and have subsequently moved lower as we have progressed through 2015. At this point in the marketing year, it is unlikely that we will get back to those early year highs unless a weather event occurs. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.