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Dry Spring
Likely In 2008, But Is Drought Ahead?
Cool sea-surface temperatures continue to expand in
Pacific waters, signaling a strengthening La Niña weather pattern
that is typically associated with a dry spring in the Midwest, says Jim
Angel, Illinois State climatologist.
"La Niña is gaining strength and likely to persist throughout the
winter months on into spring and summer," says Angel. "There's a lot of
cold water over a large area, so it looks like La Niña will last
for awhile and could be a significant player in determining the 2008
crop."
Still, La Niña weather patterns don't always bring bad news for
Midwestern corn and soybean growers. "The Midwest has a slight tendency
to be on the wet side during a La Niña winter, so soil-moisture
recharge is generally better than average heading into spring," points
out Angel. "Especially in the Great Lakes region, La Niña is
typically associated with more winter precipitation and storms."
La Niña threatened in March and April this spring, but it failed to
materialize in time to have much impact on Midwestern crops this summer,
points out Angel. Next year may be different, however.
"Once these things become established, they usually stick around for
awhile," he explains. "It usually takes a couple of months for an
established La Niña to decay, and this one looks to be a pretty
sizable event that is unlikely to go away any time soon."
Many Midwestern farmers remember that a strong La Niña
weather event occurred during the 1987-1988 winter and that "1988
brought us the big drought," says Angel. "However, the jury is still out
on the association between a La Niña winter and a drought in the
Midwest. It's not something we can say with a high degree of confidence
yet that one will necessarily bring the other."
Farmers in the southeast are more likely to be hurt by a strong La
Niña weather pattern than farmers in the Midwest, however, adds
Angel. "The Southeast is the big loser in adequate precipitation events
during a La Niña event, especially in the wintertime," he says.
"For us in the Midwest, La Niña typically means a dry spring, and a
dry spring isn't hard to take if winter precipitation and soil moisture
levels are adequate."
Yet, the 1988 drought remains on the minds of many Midwestern farmers
heading into 2008. "As we get closer to March, I'm sure there will be a
lot of talk about La Niña, which may affect commodity markets,"
says Angel. "However, what La Niña brings for 2008 remains to be
seen."
To see the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center's latest
U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook, issued today at 8:30 a.m. EDT, click
here: www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov.
For more information about La Niña weather events, click here: www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov.
By John Pocock
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Missouri Grower Breaks Soybean Yield World
Record
Kip Cullers of Purdy, MO., is keeping record book
keepers busy. Cullers outdid himself by growing an astounding 154.7
bu./acre of soybeans, beating his own world record established last year
with 139.39 bu./acre. He accomplished his record-breaking production on
an irrigated and conventionally tilled field near Stark City, MO.
Cullers attributes an intensive plant management program to his success.
"I treat soybeans as a valuable commodity and scout my fields at least
once a day," Cullers says. "Paying close attention to detail is
important to farmers looking to increase yields. It all starts with
selecting the right seed and keeping your plants healthy."
"Kip's record crop from last year proved most growers have yet to
maximize the yield potential of soybeans," says Dale Ludwig executive
director/CEO of the Missouri Soybean Association (MSA). "This is a
substantiated example of how intensive crop management results in high
returns and unprecedented soybean yields."
The record-setting yield was harvested on Oct. 6, 2007 and verified by
MSA officials. To read more about what Cullers has to say about
producing a record-setting soybean crop, click here: www.mosoy.org/news/releases/2007.
Source: Missouri Soybean Association
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New Results Available From Variety Testing
Program At U Of I
The University of Illinois (U of I) at
Urbana-Champaign has released the 2007 results from its variety testing
program for corn and soybeans. The data from these latest trials are now
available on the Internet at vt.cropsci.uiuc.edu/.
"One of the most important production decisions facing producers each
year is which soybean variety or corn hybrid to grow on their farm,"
says Emerson Nafziger, U of I Extension agronomist. "The variety testing
program in the Department of Crop Sciences at the U of I provides
accurate and unbiased performance data on a large number of soybean
varieties and corn hybrids so that growers can make the best choice
possible on what to plant."
The program is one of the largest in the country and has served as a
"neutral testing ground" for more than 60 years for corn, and for some
30 years for soybeans, points out Nafziger. The entries in this year's
trials were tested at 13 different sites throughout Illinois.
"There were 57 conventional varieties and 544 Roundup-resistant
varieties from 64 companies in the 2007 soybean trials, while the corn
trials included 311 corn hybrids from 46 different seed companies," says
Nafziger. "The total number of soybean varieties included 241 that were
nominated by Illinois farmers. Fees for the nominated varieties were
paid by the Illinois Soybean Association."
The quickest way to find results from these trials is on the Web
site for the U of I's Department of Crop Sciences, notes Nafziger.
However, paper copies can also be obtained from most U of I Extension
offices after early December.
"Corn yields were very good across the state," points out Nafziger.
"Regional averages in the northern, west-central and east-central trials
were over 220 bu./acre, and the southern trial averaged 185 bu./acre.
Individual location averages were as high as 246 bu./acre at New
Berlin."
Soybean yields were also quite good in most regions of the state, he
reports. Regional yields were consistently in the mid-50-bu./acre to
60-bu./acre range in northern and east-central locations.
"The highest yielding location was Mt. Morris in northern Illinois,
where two trials averaged nearly 70 bu./acre," says Nafziger.
"Belleville and Harrisburg attained yield levels in the mid-50-bu./acre
range. The Perry, St. Peter and Elkville locations suffered from dry
conditions through July and August, which was reflected in the low yield
levels at those sites."
Nafziger points out that, while company data and recommendations are
essential in deciding what seed to buy this fall for planting in 2008,
the U of I variety trial results represent the only place to find so
many hybrids and varieties compared to each other in the same trials.
"Companies know their products better than anyone else, but they may not
always have much information to share on how their varieties perform
compared to those from other companies," Nafziger says. "Many producers
also like to double-check to see how the seed they ordered stacks up
against the competition. If the seed company participates in the
university trials, such data represent a valuable source of such
information."
Source: University of Illinois
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Soybean Market Headed To
$11-Plus?
The soybean market may still have some room to rise --
at least until it's assured there are enough soybean acres in 2008 to
meet demand, according to an analyst speaking at the Minneapolis Grain
Exchange November press briefing on USDA's Nov. 10 crop production
report.
"Each month our carryout keeps dropping, demand is going to remain
strong, and I think soybeans are headed to $11-plus," says Peter
Georgantones, with Investment Trading Services. "The only monkey wrench
would be if shipping costs got too expensive and we couldn't export.
Something like that would result in a healthy correction."
Georgantones noted that in 2002, "we had beans top out at $10.46 on the
January contract. We had a carryout of about 125 million bushels. Now we
just passed $10.46 and we have a carryout of 210 million bushels and a
monster South American crop, with Brazil at 62 million tons and
Argentina at 109 million tons."
In its November report, USDA pegged soybean ending stocks at 210 million
bushels, 5 million bushels down from the previous month. "That number is
very supportive. The bean market is really going to have to do its part
to make sure we increase acreage here."
To continue reading this article on the soybean market potential, click
here: southeastfarmpress.com/topstory/111307-soybean-markets/.
By Elton Robinson
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MSU
Research Expands Fight Against Soybean Aphids
When Asian soybean aphids first appeared in Michigan
in 2000, the state's second largest commodity was at risk. Out of all
the states, Michigan had the heaviest aphid population, and no
information was available to help growers solve the problem.
Now, farmers have control methods to prevent staggering crop losses,
thanks to the success of Michigan State University (MSU)
Project-GREEEN-funded research and the efforts of David Pratt, MSU
Extension (MSUE) specialist; Christine Difonzo, MSU entomologist; and
researchers across the soybean-growing region.
"Our first goal was to determine if the pest was causing damage to the
fields," says Pratt. "Our next goal was to find ways to control the
pest, and we were able to do both."
MSU's research helped develop the current control method of pest
scouting to detect when the aphid population reaches the per-plant
threshold that indicates when treatment would be most effective. Difonzo
worked with representatives of 20 other Midwestern states and Canada to
coordinate the development of uniform recommendations for growers. The
threshold recommendations have been in use since 2002.
"Working to solve the aphid problem has been a real regional effort,"
says Difonzo. "It is an example of an exotic species -- the aphid
originated in China -- taking over an area that never had a pest problem
before and scientists working together to solve the problem. It takes a
major effort from all soybean-growing regions to inspect and control
this issue."
Aphid damage can cause yield losses of 25-30%. Currently,
insecticides are the only method of control, but researchers are looking
at host plant resistance, classical and biological controls.
Difonzo is involved with research on small, parasitic wasps introduced
into MSU soybean fields. These wasps lay their eggs in the aphids; when
the eggs hatch, the aphids are killed.
Host plant resistance may also be an option. MSU holds a patent on a
soybean line that is more aphid-resistant than others. Researchers are
also looking at the relationship between low levels of plant potassium
and high numbers of aphids per plant, says Difonzo.
"We want to move beyond insecticide use by reducing it or completely
eliminating it," he says. "It will help reduce production costs,
environmental impacts and human exposure."
To learn more about the state's plant agriculture initiative at MSU,
visit www.greeen.msu.edu.
Source: Michigan State University
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USGS Sees Bigger Grain Shipments To
Australia
The U.S. Grains Council is projecting increased export
potential for U.S. feed grains to Australia as a result of Australia's
federal government authorizing livestock producers to import grains due
to ongoing drought conditions.
"This announcement greatly improves the prospect for U.S. feed grains
and co-product exports to Australia," said Mike Callahan, USGC director
of international operations. "The Council identified Australia as a
priority market for U.S. feed grains several years ago and began
developing strong trade and industry contacts down there."
Developing trade relationships is essential to developing markets and
enabling trade, he adds. Callahan says the last time Australia imported
bulk shipments of feed grains was 2003, when roughly 48,000 metric tons
(18.9 million bushels) of corn were imported from the U.S., also a
result of severe drought conditions.
To read more about Australian grain imports from the U.S., click here:
southeastfarmpress.com/news/111307-australia-grains/.
Source: Southeast Farm Press
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2007 Precision Agricultural Services
Dealership Survey Posted
The 2007 Precision Agricultural Services Dealership
Survey Results, by Linda Whipker and Jay Akridge, have been posted in
the Publications section of Purdue University's Site-Specific Management
Center. This is the 12th consecutive year for this survey which measures
which precision technologies are being used by crop input dealers, what
types of precision services they are expecting to offer in the future,
and how precision customers are impacting their businesses.
To see this publication, go to www.purdue.edu/ssmc/ and click on
Publications in the left menu bar.
Source: Purdue University
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Green Stem
Disorder Likely The Result Of A Dry Growing Season
Michigan soybean growers had no shortage of challenges
this summer, from dry midseason conditions to soybean aphid
infestations. One additional phenomenon that growers reported near the
end of the season was stems that remained green long after the pods and
seeds had matured.
According to Mike Staton, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension
educator and Soybean 2010 coordinator, this is the classic symptom of
green stem disorder, a condition first detected in 1974 in Kansas.
"The green stems may or may not contribute to yield losses," Staton
says. "There can be higher shatter losses when combining due to harvest
delays or because those green stems are tougher to cut."
The cause of green stem disorder is uncertain despite intensive research
at several universities. Plant viruses, low soil moisture and insect
damage are commonly cited as potential contributors.
Yet, the most likely cause of the widespread occurrence of green
stem in Michigan this season was the lack of rain and dry soil
conditions, says Kurt Thelen, MSU Extension field crop specialist.
The drought caused the plants to abort pods early in the growing season.
Later in the season, when the rains finally came and growing conditions
improved, there were not enough pods on the plants to use the sugars
produced by photosynthesis. Those sugars accumulated in the stems,
producing the green stem disorder.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin and Ohio State University
have shown that soybean varieties vary in their susceptibility to green
stem. Farmers who had significant problems with the disorder in 2007 can
use that information to limit future problems.
"Soybean growers who noticed green stems and had reduced yields this
year should go through their records to determine which varieties
exhibited the most severe green stem disorder and avoid planting these
varieties in fields where moisture stress is likely to occur in the
future," advises Staton.
MSU and the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee will continue to
research green stem to find answers to the questions this phenomenon
generated this fall. Soybean producers can learn more about green stem
by participating in regional corn and soybean research updates and
Soybean 2010 educational programs.
For more information about improving Michigan's soybean crop, visit the
Soybean 2010 Web page at web1.msue.msu.edu/soybean2010/.
Source: Michigan State University
Extension
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Soy Transportation Coalition Forms To Address
Freight System Services
The Soy Transportation Coalition is a new initiative
designed to help improve U.S. transportation systems on behalf of the
soybean industry. The coalition will work to develop a course of action
to solve current and impending transportation challenges affecting the
soybean industry.
The Soy Transportation Coalition was established by seven state soybean
associations -- the Illinois Soybean Association, Indiana Soybean
Alliance, Iowa Soybean Association, Nebraska Soybean Board, North Dakota
Soybean Council, Ohio Soybean Council and South Dakota Soybean Research
and Promotion Council.
The soybean associations, along with the American Soybean Association
and the United Soybean Board, have committed resources to establish the
STC. In addition, the National Grain and Feed Association and National
Oilseed Processors Association will serve as ex-officio members of the
Soy Transportation Coalition board of directors.
"This is a timely effort, given the realignment of acres and expansion
of the biofuels industry," says Kirk Leeds, chief executive officer of
the Iowa Soybean Association. "Many factors are increasing pressure on
the rail network and other transportation systems. Farmers have a lot at
stake and they will play a critical role in finding solutions to these
issues."
Soybean growers need a "reliable transportation system to move our
products to market and on to customers," says Mike Steenhoek, executive
director of the Soy Transportation Coalition. "It's important for the
agriculture industry to not only be concerned with what we grow, how we
grow it and who purchases it, but also how we get it there."
For more information about the Soy Transportation Coalition, contact the
STC at 515-727-0665, or view the Web site, www.soytransportation.org.
Source: The Soy Transportation
Coalition
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New Holland To Use B100 In Its Diesel
Engines
The Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Biodiesel
Board applaud the announcement by New Holland that it supports the use
of 100% (B100) biodiesel in all equipment with New Holland-manufactured
diesel engines.
"This is a significant step toward recognizing the engine safety of
biodiesel and the many benefits of using this renewable fuel, says Grant
Kimberley, ISA director of market development.
"The ISA, National Biodiesel Board, and the soybean checkoff have
invested more than $50 million in research and development, with many
dollars dedicated to original equipment manufacturers for engine
testing, research and education. It's exciting to see those investments
pay off," says Kimberley.
New Holland now offers nearly 80% of its products with diesel engines as
available to operate on B100 biodiesel. New Holland has also asked other
suppliers of diesel engines used in New Holland-branded products to test
and approve higher levels of biodiesel.
New Holland made its B100 recommendations after real-life testing on a
1,500-acre research farm at Penn State's College of Agriculture. After
nearly two years of use, the tractors have performed with no adverse
effects in performance or maintenance, according to Glen Cauffman, the
Penn State manager of farm operations and services.
Details and recommendations for use of the New Holland models that run
on B100 are available from www.newholland.com/na/biodiesel.
Additional information about using blends above 20% biodiesel may be
found in a publication in a pdf format on the National Biodiesel Board
Web site at www.biodiesel.org/.
Source: The Iowa Soybean Association
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The Upside Of A
Down Dollar
The Offices of Farm Industry News are only a
few blocks from one of this country's greatest shrines to shopping --
The Mall of America. Lately, this massive mall has seen a surge in
visitors from Canada and Europe, about 10 to 15% more. It seems the weak
U.S. dollar has made Minneapolis a great shopping destination.
The U.S. dollar is now worth only $0.70 in Europe and $0.99 in Canada.
The weak dollar normally causes great concern because some sectors of
our economy depend on its being strong. But there is a definite upside
to a weak dollar and it has to do with the attractiveness of our goods,
including grain and farm equipment.
Who hasn't noticed that grain exports are booming? Surely our weak
dollar makes buying U.S. grain more attractive. And agricultural
equipment companies are finding more new customers in distant countries
like Russia and Japan. Tractors made in the U.S. are less expensive for
them now than they were just a couple of years ago.
The ability to more easily sell U.S. grain and goods abroad often
creates far-reaching benefits. For example, an ag equipment company
selling more product means it can improve its manufacturing efficiencies
across more units and lower costs to farmers. And selling more grain
helps bolster current market prices.
So when you hear news about a weak dollar, just remember that it's not
all bad. A weak dollar just might help you to make a buck.
By Karen McMahon
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Top-10
Reasons To Be Thankful: A Note From The Soybean E-Digest
Editor
Harvest is complete for most farmers and many are
looking forward to relaxing with friends and family during the upcoming
Thanksgiving holiday. Ditto for myself, I'll be traveling from my home
near Minneapolis, MN, to Great Bend, KS, to spend time with my wife's
family.
If you have some time during next week and want to drop me a note about
the top reasons for U.S. soybean farmers to be thankful this season, I'd
be happy to hear from you. I'm hopeful that I'll get enough input from
readers to compile a top-10 list for the next issue.
If you have any other ideas on what you'd like to see covered in a
future issue of the Soybean E-Digest, or if you have concerns or
questions about this issue, please write me (John Pocock) at: jpocock@csdigest.com.
Thanks for your readership.
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