As producers prepare to plant cover species ahead of the 2019 crop, Dr. Avat Shekoofa discusses new research on the effects of cover crop residue on cotton germination and early seedling growth. Listen.

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

Corn and soybean futures were up for the week for the first time in the past three weeks. December corn established a new contact low of $3.42 ½ on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday corn rallied 15 cents off the low, closing at $3.57 ½. November soybeans also established a new contract low of $8.12 ¼ on September 18. On Wednesday and Thursday, soybeans rebounded 43 cents off the low before a 3 cent decline on Friday closing at $8.47 ¼. Price action early next week will likely dictate if the rally is sustainable and the harvest contract low has been established. A retreat early next week could result in further price weakness.

In Tennessee, corn and soybean basis remains near record lows as harvest progresses. Record yields will keep cash prices down across Tennessee during this harvest season. Storing a portion of this crop should be considered to avoid the current large negative basis. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.

Authors: Avat Shekoofa, Sara Safikhan, Tyson Raper, and Shawn Butler

 Cover crops have been used to suppress weeds, reduce erosion, and increase water infiltration for many years. While cover crops can improve soil quality and physical properties, integration of cover crops into row crop production-specifically cotton- remains challenging. One potential negative impact on cotton growth may come from allelopathy.  Allelopathy is defined as the direct or indirect harmful or beneficial effects of one plant on another through the production of chemical compounds that escape into the environment (Fig. 1). Although allelopathic toxicity of cover crops can suppress weeds and therefore assist in weed control, they may also suppress cotton germination and reduce stand. Little is currently known about the actual allelopathic effects of cover crops on germination and seedling growth of cotton. Proper selection of cover crop species and termination timing could potentially reduce the allelopathic toxicity which negatively impacts cotton germination and early seedling growth.

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CORN HARVEST CONTINUES AT RAPID PACE

Spotty showers did little to slow field work. Corn harvest continued to proceed rapidly with many producers reporting better than average yields. Cotton harvest began on a limited scale, while soybean harvest picked up somewhat. Hay producers were busy with their final cutting for the season. Pasture conditions improved slightly as temperatures dropped a few degrees. There were 5.9 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture rated 3 percent very short, 23 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 8 percent very short, 25 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Continue reading at TN_09_17_18.  The U.S. Crop Progress report can be read at CropProg-09-17-2018.

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

The major news this week was USDA’s updated yield estimates. Nationally, corn, soybean, and upland cotton yields were estimated at 181.3 bu/acre, 52.8 bu/acre, and 881 lb/acre. Corn and soybean estimates were revised up 2.9 bu/acre and 1.2 bu acre from last month – if realized both would be all-time records. Upland cotton yield was decreased 14 lb/ acre from last month.

The larger than anticipated, corn and soybean yields contributed to December corn and November soybeans setting new contract lows of $3.48/bu and $8.21/bu. With the large crop headed towards market and no foreseeable end to trade disruptions a further leg down in futures prices cannot be ruled out at this time. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights. Comment on the September 12th USDA WASDE report and a Profitability Update looking to 2019 can be found at Monthly Crop Comments.