Recent Updates

10 May 2012

Moth Trapping … Southwestern Corn Borers Are Out Early

10 May 2012
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It is amazing how insect populations sync up with the crop.  Like our corn crop, the first generation southwestern corn borer moth flight has started early.  Usually it starts about now, but some folks have been catching moths in pheromone traps for a couple of weeks, and moth catches are higher than usual.  Moth trapping data are linked under the “Quick Links” menu for SWCB, corn earworm (or bollworm), tobacco budworm and beet armyworm.  Compared with this week last year, moth catches are Continue reading →

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10 May 2012

Profitability Outlook

10 May 2012
Author:  1 Comment

This table should be used as a guide as yields, prices, and expenses will vary among producers and locations. This table looks at crop prices as of May 10, 2012 for 2012 and can give a glimpse of what crop profitability is in Tennessee as of this date. One of the expense items that have to be watched is fertilizer. Fertilizer cost, particularly nitrogen prices have gone up recently for producers who did not have it already priced. I have updated the table below to reflect this higher cost.   For reference, in variable expenses below, fertilizer expense per acre is estimated as follows: cotton – $ 155, Soybeans – $53, Corn – $186 (includes 150 units of N), Milo – $145, and wheat/soybeans – $138. Continue reading →

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10 May 2012

Comments on the May 10 USDA Supply & Demand Report

10 May 2012
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Corn

 

In today’s report, USDA updated the old crop stocks and put forth their first official estimate of the new crop year. This report is being perceived as bearish as old crop stocks were raised rather than cut and new crop stocks are projected to be more than double old crop stocks .For new crop stocks, this could be the largest estimate of the year as the fallout from corn prices trending lower, soybean prices stable to trending higher, and higher nitrogen prices could cause a few corn acres to shift to soybeans. A record yield is projected and to be achieved will depend on ideal conditions. Lower corn prices may also stimulate additional demand. Continue reading →

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10 May 2012

Soybean Crop in Holding Pattern

10 May 2012
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Dry weather forced most producers to temporarily quit planting soybeans last week and into this week with planting resuming in limited areas that received rains this weekend.  We are about 25% planted at this point but without enough moisture to get seedlings out the ground in many parts of the state, seeds are better off in the bag.  Stands have been uniform and look good for beans planted in late April and the first few days in May but some folks that pushed it on moisture are going to have mixed results with partially emerged stands that will need to get some rain to finish the job.  Beans that are Continue reading →

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07 May 2012

Controlling Scouring Rush In and Around Crop Areas

07 May 2012
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Scouring Rush

                                           

Over the past several years many have had concerns about scouring rush creeping into crop production areas.  Scouring rush is not a typical agronomic weed. It normally grows along fence rows, ditch banks, and low lying areas.  However, in long term no-tillage production systems scouring rush is increasingly encroaching into crop production areas. 

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