Corn, soybeans, and wheat were down; cotton was mixed for the week. After last week’s gains, corn, soybeans, and wheat had large declines. Higher U.S. yield estimates, increased political uncertainty, and trade dominated agricultural news this week.

Currently, the USDA estimates national average corn and soybean yields at 178.4 bu/acre, an all-time high, and 51.6 bu/acre, 0.5 bu/acre below the all-time high in 2016. There is still a great deal of uncertainty in the USDA’s final yield estimates and usually adjustments will be made in future reports with the October/November Crop Production report typically shedding a more accurate light on final yields. However, in general, field tours and private estimates indicate the potential for higher corn and soybeans yields across several growing regions. So right now the prevailing thought is for upward yield revisions by the USDA, not down.

Political uncertainty is running rampant in Washington due to numerous issues faced by the Trump administration. Political uncertainty creates further complexity in already unpredictable commodity markets. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.

RAINS PROVIDE NEEDED MOISTURE

Rain fell over most of the state last week providing needed moisture and improving crop conditions. Corn producers were preparing for harvest, while cotton and soybean farmers were busy with last minute spraying. These rains also improved pasture conditions. There were 4.9 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture rated 6 percent very short, 18 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 7 percent very short, 25 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.  Continue reading at TN_08_20_18. The U.S. Crop Progress report can be read at  CropProg-08-20-2018.

Corn, soybeans, and wheat were up; cotton was down for the week. The size of the U.S. corn and soybean crop, large domestic stocks carried over from 2017, continued trade  disruptions, and faster crop maturity than normal will diminish (eliminate) early harvest price premiums and depress harvest basis below typical levels.

Will producers in Tennessee have lower gross revenue this year, compared to 2017?

From August 1 to October 31, 2017, the average cash prices for corn and soybeans across the state were $3.35/bu and $9.43/bu. So far, in August 2018, cash prices have averaged $3.63/bu and $8.59/bu. Cash wheat prices from June 1 to July 31, were $4.83 (2017) and $5.08 (2018). Cash cotton prices, from October 1 to November 30, 2017 averaged 69.39 cents/lb, currently, cotton pric-es are 81.51 cents/lb. So far, year-over-year average corn, cotton, and wheat prices are up, soybean prices are down. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.

Authors: Tyson Raper, Avat Shekoofa, and John Snider.

Over the past few weeks, reports of thumbnail-sized boll abortion have emerged in some areas of West Tennessee.  While square and small boll abortion is very common every year, recent reports have indicated many of these aborting bolls are not shedding; instead, the small, dead bolls are remaining on the plants.  This phenomenon is often referred to as ‘boll freeze’, ‘boll dangle’, or most commonly, ‘cavitation’.

Figure 1: Severe drought stress in this plant resulted in the cavitation of small reproductive structures. Continue reading →

WEATHER CONDITIONS MOSTLY VARIABLE LAST WEEK

Spotty yet substantial showers were prominent across the State last week. These rains improved pasture conditions and at the same time kept some producers from making additional hay cuttings. In East Tennessee, tomatoes and other vegetables were stressed and made more susceptible to disease because of wet weather. There were 5.1 days suitable for field work. Both topsoil and subsoil moisture improved from last week. Topsoil moisture rated 6 percent very short, 23 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 6 percent very short, 26 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Continue reading at TN_08_13_18. The U.S. Crop Progress report can be read at CropProg-08-13-2018.