Category: Ag News

Click here to listen to audio

The August 12 monthly USDA report holds changes to crop demand, adjustments to new crop production, and new crop demand. This report is unique as it starts with a more intensive yield measurement estimate than May through July. The August report is derived from a nationwide farmer survey conducted July 25 – August 8 for general estimates as of August 1. This month’s report included reports from 15,400 producers of all crops.

USDA released the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) and Crop Production reports that lowered crop acreage, yield, and overall production for corn and soybeans.

Farm director KC Sheperd had the opportunity to visit with Rich Nelson at Allendale, who said that traders were looking to see how USDA handled the Corn, Soybean, and cotton yield discussions after so many problems in the Western Plains, “On corn, USDA did likely lower the yield numbers from 177. Last month and that was 175.4. So stocks dropping is now under 1.4 billion, and many traders still suggest a few more yield declines in the weeks ahead.”

Nelson said the Star of the report this time was Cotton, “USDA did recognize both problems of harvested acres as well as yields and certainly brought the stock numbers down to quite low levels here with limit up trade here posted for futures.” Nelson said there have been discussions about both lower acres and lower harvested acres as well as discussions of lower yields at the same time, “USDA did give the bulls what they wantd to see right now. In fact, with this decline in harvested almost 1.4 million acres, they’re sitting with 8% harvest, so they’re going to plant 12.5 But only harvest 7.1. This is a discussion of a 57% harvested rate; very, very low. So USDA finally recognized the acreage argument in this report.” Nelson says they also hit the yield side a little bit here, “Dropping in this case 846 million bushels, that’s the lowest yield in two years. So USDA satisfied some of the bull arguments for Cotton today.”

Nelson said Soybean numbers were a bit of a stickler, “USDA raised yields now over trend to 51.9 bushels an acre, on top of that their stocks numbers now 245 billion bushels. These would imply it’s a little tough to hold this $14 plus price if the trade believed it.” Nelson said many traders suggest a slight weakness in the soybean yield numbers in the weeks ahead.

For Wheat, there were some minor changes in production. Nelson said, “USDA to add a little bit to the spring wheat total, but brought the all wheat number only 2 million bushels higher than last month. The biggest price for us on the week was actually raising the increase in wheat export sales this morning. Despite the fact that we’re still troubled enough to ctually hit their prior estimate here.”

To view more reports and premium content from Allendale, click here:

You can also access the full reports here:

– Crop Production:

– World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE):

WASDE WHEAT

USDA adjusted demand for several uses of wheat. Food demand was adjusted upward by 6 mb, while exports were increased 25 mb. The two changes accounted for most of the drop in ending stocks to 610 mb. The national average farm gate price dropped by $1.25 to $9.25 per bushel.

Globally, USDA’s ending stocks only dropped by 0.2 mmt to 267.34 mmt, but there were a few changes in stocks and production estimates. Beginning stocks declined by 3.75 mmt, but production climbed by 8 mmt. USDA attributed the gain to higher production in Russia, Australia and China. USDA bumped Russian production to 88 mmt from its prior 81.5 mmt estimate.

WHEAT CROP PRODUCTION

All-wheat production was forecast at 1.78 bb, up less than 1% from July and up 8% from 2021. Wheat yield was pegged at 47.5 bushels per acre, up 0.2 bpa from July, and up 3.2 bushels from a year ago. Harvested acres are pegged at 37.5 million acres, down less than 1% from July’s forecast.

Winter wheat production is forecast at 1.2 billion bushels, down less than 1% from July, but up 6% from 2021. The winter wheat yield is pegged at 47.9 bushels an acre, down 0.1 bpa from July and down 2.3 bpa from last year’s yield. Harvested acres for grain or seed are pegged at 25 million acres, down 2% from last year.

Other spring wheat production for grain is forecast at 512 mb, up 55% from a year ago. Yield is pegged at 47.8 bpa, up 0.8 bpa from July, and up 16.1 bpa from a year ago. Acreage is pegged at 10.7 million acres, up 5% from 2021.

Hard red winter wheat is pegged at 576 mb; soft red winter is forecast at 381 mb; white winter is projected at 240 mb. Durum wheat is forecast at 73.6 mb, down 5% from July, but up 97% from 2021.

CORN

USDA on Friday shaved corn production 146 million bushels to 14.35 billion bushels, but increased soybean production 25 million bushels to 4.53 billion bushels, which went against the pre-report estimates on soybeans.

On yield, USDA lowered corn yields 1.6 bushels to 175.4 bushels per acre (bpa). For soybeans, yield was bumped up 0.4 bushel to 51.9 bpa.

Estimated harvest acreage came in at 81.8 million acres, down just 100,000 acres from earlier forecasts. USDA bumped down the yield estimates 1.6 bushels to 175.4 bushels an acre. That put production at 14.359 billion bushels (bb), down 146 million bushels (mb) from July’s forecast.

In making up for lower production, USDA increases the old-crop carryover 20 mb as well with beginning stocks pegged at 1.53 bb.

On the demand side, USDA put 2022-23 Feed and Residual use at 5.325 bb, down 25 mb from July. Feed, Seed and Industrial use overall came in 5 mb higher at 6.825 bb. Ethanol usage held pat at 5.375 bb.

Total domestic usage came in at 12.15 bb, down 20 mb from July.

Exports are pegged at 2.375 bb, down 25 mb from July.

That put ending stocks at 1.388 bb, down 82 mb from July.

The average farmgate price held pat at $6.65 per bushel.

Globally, USDA lowered beginning stocks 0.44 million metric tons (mmt) to 311.84 mmt. Global production was lowered 6.29 mmt to 1,179.61 mmt. Global exports were bumped up 3.05 mmt. That put ending stocks at 306.68 mmt, down 6.26 mmt.

USDA increased Russian corn production 0.5 mmt while lowering the European Union’s production 8 mmt to 60 mmt.

On Ukraine, USDA bumped up production 5 mmt to 30 mmt and increased export 3.5 mmt to 12 mmt.

USDA also held pat on its forecast for Brazil’s 2021-22 production at 116 mmt. Argentina’s production was held at 53 mmt as well.

SOYBEANS

USDA bumped up its forecast for soybean production to 51.9 bushels per acre while also lowering harvested acreage by 300,000. Production increased slightly as well, to 4.53 bb. The soybean yield is higher than pre-report expectations, while production is toward the top of the range of traders’ estimates.

USDA increased its forecast for 2022-23 ending stocks to 245 mb, a 15 mb increase. On the demand side, USDA increased its export forecast by 20 mb to 2.155 bb. The national average farm gate price declined by a nickel to $14.35 per bushel.

On old-crop, 2021-22 stocks, USDA increased ending stocks by 10 mb to 225 mb due to lower exports.

Globally, USDA put ending stocks for 2022-23 at 101.4 mmt, above the range of trade expectations. It’s up nearly 2 mmt from last month and reflects higher beginning stocks (old-crop stocks) and production in the U.S. and China. USDA raised China’s production by just shy of 1 mmt and said it’s based on provincial reports.

Ending stocks for 2021-22 declined to 89.73, in line with trade expectations.

LIVESTOCK

Cattle: The forecast for 2022 red meat and poultry production is slightly higher from last month, as stronger beef and broiler forecasts offset the lower trend in pork and turkey. Beef production grew by 68 million pounds from a month ago, pushing 2022’s total production to an estimated 27,990 million pounds as slaughter speeds have continued to run aggressively. Beef production for 2023 grew substantially from last month’s report, as an additional 325 million pounds were added, which puts the year’s estimated production at 26,265 million pounds. Both the third and fourth quarters of 2022 saw increases from July’s WASDE report as third-quarter steer prices are expected to average $140 (up $1) and fourth-quarter prices are expected to average $147 (up $2). The first quarter of 2023 saw a $1 increase, as steers are expected to average $151, but the second quarter held steady for 2023 steer prices at $152. 2022 beef imports were reduced by 56 million pounds, while beef exports grew by 65 million pounds. 2023 beef imports saw no changes from July’s report, but 2023’s estimated exports grew by 40 million pounds.

Hogs: 2022’s pork production fell by 81 million pounds as pork production was lowered on the third quarter, as market-ready hogs are in extremely short supply. With market-ready hogs being in short supply, quarterly price projections for both the third and fourth quarters of 2022 were raised from July’s report. Hog prices in the third quarter are expected to average $85 (up $9) and fourth-quarter prices are expected to average $69 (up $3). No changes were made to the price projections in 2023. Pork imports for 2022 fell slightly from July’s report to 1,547 million pounds, which is 6 million pounds less than a month ago. Pork exports for 2022 were reduced slightly to 6,574 million pounds, down just 2 million pounds from a month ago. Both pork imports and exports for 2023 were unchanged from a month.

Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott submitted the following statement for the record on H.R. 5376, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

"Mr. Speaker, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 before us today makes hi…

The Soil Health Institute (SHI) today announced its recommended measurements for assessing soil health. These recommendations answer the No. 1 question about soil health that farmers, ranchers, and their advisers have been asking since the …

Oklahoma City’s Cattle Baron’s Ball celebrates 20 years of saving lives with a night of food, fun and fundraising – Friday September 23rd at the National Western Heritage Museum. This year’s event is being led by dedicated volunteer, Mary Blankenship Pointer, Vice President at Frontier State Bank. Cattle Baron’s Ball is the signature philanthropy gala of the American Cancer Society.   

This year’s western-themed “party with a purpose” features A-List entertainer and OKC local, Ty England. As well as games, food and beverage, live and silent auctions. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society and the Chad Richison Hope Lodge Oklahoma. The Chad Richison Hope Lodge is a centrally located home-away-from-home for patients and their families opening this fall. It offers cancer patients and their caregivers free lodging while they travel to receive life-saving care from any of the area’s premier medical centers.

The $16.5 million facility is named in recognition of ACS’s capstone donor, Paycom Founder and CEO, Chad Richison. Mr. Richison is also this year’s Cattle Baron’s Ball honoree and will be recognized the night of the event.

Richison donated $5 million to fund Oklahoma’s first Hope Lodge. “This is a personal cause for many, including myself, and helps ensure anyone traveling for treatment will have one less item to worry about,” said Richison. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in Oklahoma. Each day, 49 Oklahomans are diagnosed with cancer. The American Cancer Society is working every day to free the world from the pain and suffering of cancer through research, prevention, patient services, and advocacy.

To learn more or donate visit www.cattlebaronsballokc.org. For more information, please contact Rachel Stratton at 281-352-6471.

Engage with @ACSOklahoma and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

There is a new blog post out on the Southern Plains Perspective by Clay Pope talking about climate smart agriculture. Read below!

If you want to start an interesting discussion on social media, just put out a press release or flyer abo…

By Trisha Gedon

With extreme heat and little rain still on the horizon for Oklahoma, gardeners may need to alter their fall garden plans.

“There’s nothing better than fresh produce throughout most of the year, but the lack of rainfall coupled with excessive heat may put a damper on successful fall gardening,” said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist. “Typically, some of the best quality garden vegetables in Oklahoma are produced and harvested during the fall season when the warm days are followed by cool, humid nights.”

In ideal conditions, Hillock said plant soil metabolism is low; therefore, more of the food manufactured by vegetable plants becomes high-quality produce. Unfortunately, the current climate across much of the state involves high soil temperature, high light intensity and rapid drying of soil.

“This can be a problem for gardeners because achieving a full stand of plants in these extreme weather conditions may require special treatment,” he said.

“Gardeners may have to employ strategies such as shade row covers when seeding, along with supplemental watering to reduce soil temperature to aid in seed germination.”

Vegetable seeds are also vulnerable to the hot soil surface exposed to the summer sun.

“In order for viable seeds to germinate or sprout, they must have the proper temperature, adequate moisture and sufficient oxygen,” Hillock said.

Shade row covers can be made from burlap and a few stakes, said Laura Payne, horticulture specialist in the OSU Extension Payne County office.

“The burlap still allows light through but diffuses the heat on the tender plants,” Payne said. “Gardeners can also use screen wire strips or boards to cover the rows, which will moderate both soil temperature and soil moisture. Remove the covers after the seedlings emerge.”

Another option to help stave off the heat is creating deeper furrows in which to plant. This allows the seed to germinate in cooler soil. Even then, gardeners will need to supplement with extra irrigation to ensure the soil remains moist at seed depth.

Season extension methods, such as high tunnels or hoop houses, will help, especially if planting is delayed a few weeks to avoid excessive heat.

While daylight hours are still very warm this time of the year, nighttime temperatures are slightly cooling off, allowing plants to recover in the evening. Payne said the cooler evening temperatures will help with the establishment of a fall garden, but once seeds are sown, irrigate adequately. A garden’s soil dries out quickly during the day.

Gardeners who use transplants should condition them by reducing the amount of water supplied and exposure to full sunlight. Hillock said this process can take three to five days.

“When you’re ready to plant the transplants, do so in the late afternoon or early evening when it’s cooler to help reduce transplant shock,” he said. “Water the plants as they are set. A water-soluble fertilizer can be used if necessary.”

Typical fall vegetables to plant include broccoli, leeks, onions, peas, radish, kale, cabbage, collards, kohlrabi and cauliflower.

Casey Hentges, host of Oklahoma Gardening, has more tips for planting a fall garden. Additional gardening information is available from OSU Extension.

OSU Extension uses research-based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state’s 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost.

Click here to listen to audio

At the Women in Agriculture Conference, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Intern, Cheyenne Leach sat down with the Made in Oklahoma Program Coordinator, Jenna Brinlee and talked about the MIO Program and upcoming …

Click here:

Recently, NASDA hosted a significant training session at one of Michigan State University’s research farms. NASDA and its development team, made up of food safety and horticulture specialists from five land grant univ…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it is awarding $197 million for 41 locally led conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP is a partner-driven program that leverages partner resources to advance innovative projects that address climate change, enhance water quality, and address other critical challenges on agricultural land.

“Our partners are experts in their fields and understand the challenges in their own backyards,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “Through RCPP we can tap into that knowledge, in partnership with producers and USDA, to come up with lasting solutions to the challenges that farmers, ranchers, and landowners face. We’re looking forward to seeing the results of public-private partnership at its best, made possible through these RCPP investments.”

The projects funded today are awarded under two different RCPP funding opportunities: RCPP Classic and RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA). RCPP Classic projects are implemented using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities, in collaboration with project partners. Through RCPP AFA, partners have more flexibility in working directly with agricultural producers to support the development of new conservation structures and approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic.

See the list of 2022 RCPP projects or view the interactive map.

As part of each project, partners offer value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding in an amount equal to or greater than the NRCS investment.

Private landowners can apply to participate in an RCPP project in their region through awarded partners or at their local USDA service center.

More Information

First authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill, RCPP has leveraged partner contributions of more than $1 for every $1 invested by USDA, resulting in nearly $3 billion collectively invested in natural resource conservation on private lands. Since inception, RCPP has made 589 awards involving over 3,000 partner organizations. Currently there are 401 active projects, with at least one active project in every state and area. Successful RCPP projects provide innovative conservation solutions, leverage partner contributions and offer impactful and measurable outcomes.

For more information about RCPP, visit the NRCS website.

RCPP is part of NRCS’ broader effort to engage partners. For example, NRCS recently announced it will invest $35 million this year through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while supporting agricultural production.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

The National Corn Yield Contest (NCYC) is nearing the August 17 entry deadline. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) challenges you to participate and be a part of its history.

“Our crops in Nebraska have been through a l…