Tuesday September 2 Ag News

Flooded Fields and Diseases to Expect in Corn
Tamra Jackson-Ziems, UNL Extension Plant Pathologist

Flooding and saturated soils in some parts of the state following recent heavy rains is like adding insult to injury (literally) to corn that may still be suffering the effects of severe weather earlier in the season. Late season ponding can exacerbate some diseases that can complicate harvest and/or storage. The length of time that plants stand in water or saturated soil will also likely impact the severity of these diseases, especially if plants are prematurely killed. Stalk and ear rot diseases are the most common diseases that can develop in corn that was impacted late season by excessive rainfall.  

Wet growing conditions promote growth and infection by several pathogens in the soil.  Weakened plants can be overtaken by infections that have occurred already or by new infections.  Degradation of the inside of stalks weakens them and predisposes plants to lodging.  There is nothing that can be done at this point in the season to stop stalk rot diseases as stalks will continue to degrade over time, further weakening them. But, you can minimize your losses by identifying which field(s) have the worst stalk rot diseases and adjust the harvest order of those fields. Consider harvesting those fields that are heavily impacted by stalk rots first or early to minimize losses after lodging.

Infection and decay of the crowns or stalks of the plants can stop water movement up the plant and hasten plant death.  In addition, anaerobic conditions created by prolonged ponding for more than a few days will also prematurely kill plants. Plants that die before reaching physiological maturity and forming their abscission layer (more commonly called "black layer") on the kernels are especially prone to ear rot diseases.

Scouting and Handling
Affected field areas should be scouted to monitor for stalk and ear rot diseases. The first indication of a problem in corn may be rapid changes in plant color as plant processes shut down.

Stalk strength can be assessed using the "push or pinch" test by walking a portion of the field and pushing plants at arm's length. Those that don't snap back upright and bend below the ear are prone to lodging. Alternatively, you can squeeze the lower stalks of plants (between the nodes) to determine the relative stalk strength, identifying how many are easily crushed by hand.  It is important to test a large enough area of the field to determine a representative sample size. Checking a minimum of 100 plants is probably necessary.

Similarly, corn ear quality should also be assessed. The first indication of ear rot diseases is often an early discoloration of the husks from green to a tan/straw color. Inside the husks look for cottony white or colored dusty fungal growth that can indicate fungal contamination.  Ear rotting fungi can discolor kernels, cobs, or ear shanks and may be diagnostic clues as well as to which diseases are present and whether there's also a risk for mycotoxin production. Because these fungi will continue to grow during storage in the bin, it may be important to handle or store affected corn differently. Grain affected by ear rot diseases should not be stored if it can be avoided, so plan to use or sell affected grain as quickly as possible during or after harvest.  If you plan to store grain that is or may be affected by ear rot diseases, it is important to cool and dry the corn as quickly as possible to slow mold growth in the bin.




SCN a viable opponant in NE Nebraska
(from UNL Extension)

Last year, soybean cyst nematodes cost Nebraska soybean growers over $45 million, more than all other soybean diseases combined. If you have SCN in your fields and are not managing it, you contributed to that loss.

SCN often goes undetected in the field. Yield losses of 20-30% have been documented in Nebraska fields with no above-ground symptoms. If SCN caused holes, lesions, spots, or other plant abnormalities, it would be much easier to convince producers to test for and manage it. However, infested plants usually look healthy. Often, the first indication of a problem is when soybean yields level off or even start to drop while corn or other crop yields in the same field continue to improve.

Northeast Nebraska Exhibits Greater SCN Effect
SCN scouting is extremely important for producers in northeast Nebraska, where losses at five trials showed a 12.5-bushel yield advantage to SCN-resistant varieties in infested fields compared to a 4.5 bu/ac average yield advantage for 24 other Nebraska sites. Several factors including soil texture and pH may contribute to this larger loss in northeast Nebraska.

Something else that illustrates the importance of scouting for SCN in this area is that out of more than 1,000 soil samples submitted to UNL in 2013, the five highest egg counts came from Knox, Antelope, Rock, Cuming and Rock counties.

What would a six-bushel yield increase on your soybean acres do for your bottom line? That's the average yield increase at 29 UNL research trials when resistant varieties were compared to top yielding susceptible varieties on SCN-infested sites. In addition to direct yield losses, SCN has been linked to an increase in the occurrence and severity of sudden death syndrome (SDS) in soybeans.



Nebraska Farmers Union Fall District Meetings                               

All the Districts elect officers at the fall meetings.  Districts 1 and  5 Directors are up this year.  District 1 Director Mike Sarchet is running for re-election.  District 5 Director Dan McGuire has announced he is retiring, and will not run for re-election.  Most of the Districts will have representatives from the Domina and Hassebrook campaigns present.  Some will have candidates for Legislature or other races.

District 3 Fall District Meeting
Monday, September 15, 2014.  6:00 p.m. meal on your own with meeting to follow.
El Agave, 548 North Minden Avenue, Minden

District 1 Fall District Meeting
Tuesday, September 16, 2014.  11:00-1:30 including noon meal-order off the menu.
Meadow Lark Café, 102 Bell Avenue, Bridgeport (North side of town east of over pass)

District 2 Fall District Meeting
Tuesday, September 16, 2014.  6:30 p.m. Potluck Supper with meeting to follow.
St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1306 Howard Avenue, St. Paul.

District 6 Fall District Meeting
Wednesday, September 17, 2014.  4:00 p.m. meeting with early supper to follow.
The Office Bar & Grill, 121 Main Street, Hooper.

District 7 Fall District Meeting
Thursday, September 18, 2014.  6:00 p.m. supper on your own with meeting to follow.
Valentino’s Pizza Restaurant meeting room, 1025 South 13th Street, Norfolk

District 5 Fall District Meeting
Tuesday, September 23, 2014.  6:00 p.m. supper on your own with meeting to follow.
Lippy’s Barbeque, Main Street, Malcolm

District 4 Fall District Meeting
Wednesday, September 24, 2014.  6:00 p.m. supper on your own with meeting to follow.
Back Alley Eatery, 124 South 23rd, Beatrice, NE



Consumers have Choices with Renewable Fuels

Nebraskans have the choice of what type of fuel they put in their vehicle when they fill up. These options are available thanks to renewable biofuels such as ethanol or biodiesel. In September, Nebraskans can celebrate these choices with the recent proclamation of “September is Renewable Fuels Month” by Gov. Dave Heineman.

When consumers make the choice to put a renewable fuel in their fuel tank, they are choosing their energy future.  That future with renewable fuels looks like less reliance on the oil industry’s negative impacts on our environment. Also, by diversifying our fuel sources to positively impact America’s economic and national security, we can ensure a healthier future for the environment.

These choices of biofuels come in many different blends and can be found all over the country. Most vehicles can fill up with E10, while flex fuel vehicle (FFV) owners can fill up with flex fuel blends from E0 up to E85. Biodiesel blends can usually be found at levels of B5, B10 or B20.  Blend rates are identified by the number following the letter, so B20 is comprised of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent regular diesel fuel, whereas E85 is 85 percent ethanol 15 percent regular unleaded gasoline.

“We know that consumers have a choice when they come to the pump to fill up with fuel,” said Tim Scheer, farmer from St. Paul, Nebraska and chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “While there are so many choices when it comes to biofuels, consumers know that these choices are better for their engines.”

While biofuels are better for the environment, more importantly to many motorists is the fact that they are better for our engines. Evidence shows that ethanol keeps your engine clean by preventing build-up in the fuel injection system, reduces tailpipe emissions, and since it is water-soluble and has a low freezing point, it helps prevent your gas line from freezing up in cold weather.

Biodiesel also offers many benefits, such as added engine lubricity and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Another benefit is that you do not need to modify your engine to run biodiesel. Whether you drive a car, truck, semi, or farm equipment, biodiesel is made to work in any diesel engine.

Finding the fuel choice for your vehicle is simple, said Kim Clark, director of biofuels development for the Nebraska Corn Board. “The main thing to know is if you have a flex fuel vehicle (FFV) or not. If you do have an FFV, you can fill up with any blend of ethanol up to E85. If you don’t have an FFV and it’s newer than 2001, you can fill up with any ethanol blend up to E15.”



PLANNING THAT LAST CUTTING OF ALFALFA
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

As we start September, it's time to decide when to take your last cutting of alfalfa.

The date you take your last harvest of alfalfa affects its winter survival and next spring's vigor.  Alfalfa needs about six weeks of uninterrupted growth in the fall to become fully winterized.  This winterterizing generally begins about three weeks before the average date of first frost.  Your last harvest can occur anytime before winterizing begins or after the winterizing period is over with little worry about affecting stand life.  But, harvest during winterizing can be risky.

How risky is it to harvest alfalfa during winterizing?  Well, that depends on how much total stress your alfalfa experienced this year.  The most important factor is the number of cuts you took this year.  Fields cut 4 or 5 times are more susceptible to winter injury than fields cut 3 times or less.  Also, young stands of winterhardy, disease resistant varieties are less stressed and can be harvested during winterizing with less risk than older stands of varieties that may be only moderately winter hardy.

Also consider your need for extra alfalfa or its cash crop value.  Dairy hay still is priced high, so cutting dairy hay from this final harvest may be worth the risk of lowering next year’s yield.  Stock cow and grinding hay, though, is becoming more plentiful and is dropping in value this year.  When this hay is plentiful and reasonably priced, it may be better to purchase extra hay rather than risk another cutting.  Remember, you can cut after winterizing with less risk.

Harvesting alfalfa during its winterizing period is risky, but by reducing total stress, you control how risky it is.



Zinc – The Metal of Life

Lean red meat (including lean beef) is recognized as one of the richest natural sources of zinc. Zinc is found in organs, tissues, bones, fluids and cells; is essential for many physiological functions; and plays a significant role in a wide range of enzyme systems. Foods having high protein content (such as meat) are the richest in zinc. As a result, foods of animal origin are the major sources of zinc in the human diet. It has been demonstrated that vegetarians whose protein intake is mostly from pulses (beans, lentils and peas) and not meat, have a higher incidence of zinc deficiency.

An extensive review of the many roles and importance of zinc has been published in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. Citing almost 300 references, the review builds a strong case for the label – The Metal of Life. Visit the checkoff’s Beef Issues Quarterly e-newsletter for more information...  http://beefissuesquarterly.com/humannutritionresearch.aspx?id=4392. 



Ag Leader Chris Novak to Become NCGA Chief Executive Officer

After a comprehensive recruitment process with many strong candidates, the National Corn Growers Association announced today that Chris Novak will become the organization's next chief executive officer, taking the place of 14-year veteran Rick Tolman, who earlier this year announced his intention to retire from the organization.

"We're thrilled to have Chris join us at NCGA," said NCGA President Martin Barbre, a corn grower from Illinois. "He has all the right qualifications to take the reins of this growing organization and keep it moving in the right direction, continuing the tradition of success we saw under Rick Tolman."

Novak's first day as NCGA CEO will be Monday, Oct. 13. He currently serves as chief executive officer of the National Pork Board, a position he has held since October 2008. Prior to that, from 2004 to 2008, he was executive director of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance. Novak also has served in positions at Syngenta and the American Soybean Association, and worked on Capitol Hill.

"I am very excited about this opportunity to work with a terrific team of grower leaders, state affiliates and the NCGA staff," Novak said. "With a record corn crop predicted for this year, corn farmers must work together to build new markets that keep up with our increasing productivity. I'm looking forward to working with the team to meet this challenge."

Novak holds a master's degree in business administration from Purdue University, a law degree from the University of Iowa and a bachelor's degree in public service and administration from Iowa State University. Novak and his wife, Julie, have three children.

Barbre appointed a cross-functional search committee to aid in the placement, led by NCGA Chairwoman Pam Johnson. The committee retained the services of Kincannon & Reed, an executive recruitment firm that specializes in the global food and agriculture sectors and has extensive recruiting experience for agricultural associations.

"Our search committee was impressed with the caliber of candidates, and we faced a lot of tough decisions, but in the end, we knew Chris would be a great fit with NCGA," said Johnson. "I'm grateful for the hard work of our search committee and for the guidance of Kincannon & Reed for making this a great process."

Outgoing CEO Tolman had announced in March that he would be retiring from NCGA at the end of the association's fiscal year, to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

"NCGA has a great future ahead of itself with Chris as its new chief executive," Tolman said. "I am extremely confident that he has the experience and expertise to lead it boldly and continue its trajectory as a respected national trade association growing in membership and influence. In the weeks ahead, we will be working together on a smooth and productive transition as corn farmers face continuing challenges from several fronts."

Tolman joined NCGA in September 2000, having previously served as executive director of the U.S. Grains Council, and has received numerous awards and recognition in his time at NCGA. Later this year, he and his wife, Linda, will relocate closer to family in Utah, where they are building a home.



National Pork Board CEO Stepping Down

The National Pork Board announced today that Chief Executive Officer Chris Novak will step down after six years of service to the pork industry and the Pork Checkoff.  Novak is leaving Oct. 3, 2014, to assume leadership of the National Corn Growers Association.

"We're grateful to Chris for his leadership these past several years," said Dale Norton, board president and a pork producer from Bronson, Mich. "With Chris' guidance, our Pork Checkoff team built stronger relationships with pork producers across the country, with our state pork associations and with our partners in the food chain. Chris brought a spirit of collaboration that served our organization and our industry well."

During his six-year tenure with the National Pork Board, Novak worked tirelessly to advance the strategic goals of the Pork Checkoff. For example, a commitment to refresh the image of pork with consumers led to the creation of the newPork. Be inspired®campaign. Since the campaign launch in 2011, pork has led all proteins in growth within foodservice, and consumer demand for U.S. pork is at an all-time high. The National Pork Board also has implemented innovative new programs in animal welfare, disease research, food chain communication and environmental sustainability.

"The pork industry is truly leading the way in responding to consumers with new programs that provide greater assurance of quality, animal welfare and sustainability. I have been honored to be a part of a team that is committed to meeting the needs of our farmers and consumers," Novak said in looking back over his time at the Checkoff. "I'm grateful to the farmers who invest in the Pork Checkoff, the Pork Checkoff's board of directors and the Pork Checkoff state and national staff members for the opportunity to serve this great industry. I look forward to continuing to work with the livestock industry from my new position."

The National Pork Board will immediately engage an executive search firm to assist in a national search for Novak's replacement. Details of the search process will be announced later this month. To ensure a seamless transition, the board has named John Johnson, chief operating officer, as interim CEO. Johnson will oversee the many initiatives currently underway, including finalization of a new strategic plan and development of the 2015 budget.

"Our Strategic Planning Task Force just completed work on a new five-year strategic plan that will be presented to our board this week," Johnson said. "We have been working on the development of this plan throughout 2014, and we are well-positioned to continue pork's growth and innovation."

Additionally, the Pork Checkoff will continue to facilitate the work of the Industry On-farm Audit Task Force, grow relationships with foodservice and retail leadership and finalize the metrics required for implementation of the pork industry's new sustainability framework.



Livestock Producers Urged to Enroll in Disaster Assistance Program by Oct. 1

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging producers who have suffered eligible disaster-related losses to act to secure assistance by Sept. 30, 2014, as congressionally mandated payment reductions will take place for producers who have not acted before that date. Livestock producers that have experienced grazing losses since October 2011 and may be eligible for benefits but have not yet contacted their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office should do so as soon as possible.

The Budget Control Act passed by Congress in 2011 requires USDA to implement reductions of 7.3 percent to the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) in the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, 2014. However, producers seeking LFP support who have scheduled appointments with their local FSA office before Oct. 1, even if the appointment occurs after Oct.1, will not see reductions in the amount of disaster relief they receive.

USDA is encouraging producers to register, request an appointment or begin a Livestock Forage Disaster Program application with their county FSA office before Oct. 1, 2014, to lock in the current zero percent sequestration rate. As an additional aid to qualified producers applying for LFP, the Farm Service's Agency has developed an online registration that enables farmers and ranchers to put their names on an electronic list before the deadline to avoid reductions in their disaster assistance. This is an alternative to visiting or contacting the county office. To place a name on the Livestock Forage Disaster Program list online, visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/disaster-register.

Producers who already contacted the county office and have an appointment scheduled need do nothing more.

"In just four months since disaster assistance enrollments began, we've processed 240,000 applications to help farmers and ranchers who suffered losses," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Eligible producers who have not yet contacted their local FSA office should stop by or call their local FSA office, or sign up online before Oct. 1 when congressionally mandated payment reductions take effect. This will ensure they receive as much financial assistance as possible."

The Livestock Indemnity Program, the Tree Assistance Program and the Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program Frost Freeze payments will also be cut by 7.3 percent on Oct. 1, 2014. Unlike the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, applications for these programs must be fully completed by Sept. 30. FSA offices will prioritize these applications, but as the full application process can take several days or more to complete, producers are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible.

The Livestock Forage Disaster Program compensates eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire between Oct. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2014. Eligible livestock includes alpacas, beef cattle, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep or swine that have been or would have been grazing the eligible grazing land or pastureland. Producers forced to liquidate their livestock may also be eligible for program benefits.

Additionally, the 2014 Farm Bill eliminated the risk management purchase requirement. Livestock producers are no longer required to purchase coverage under the federal crop insurance program or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program to be eligible for Livestock Forage Disaster Program assistance.

To learn more about USDA disaster relief program, producers can review the 2014 Farm Bill fact sheet at www.fsa.usda.gov/farmbill, the LFP program fact sheet, http://go.usa.gov/5JTk, or contact their local FSA office.

The Livestock Forage Disaster Program was made possible through the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for September 2014

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for September 2014. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for September is 0.125 percent, unchanged from 0.125 percent in August.

The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during September is 1.125 percent, unchanged from 1.125 percent in August.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for September are as follows, 2.125 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.125 percent in August; 2.500 percent with 10-year loan terms, down from 2.625 percent in August and; 2.625 percent with 12-year loan terms, down from 2.750 percent in August.



FY 2015 Exports Forecast Down $8 Billion From Record; Imports at a Record $117 Billion
(USDA ERS)

Fiscal 2015 agricultural exports are projected at $144.5 billion, down $8 billion from the revised $152.5 billion forecast for fiscal 2014. Oilseeds and products are down $5.1 billion as a result of lower expected soybean and meal prices. Grain and feed exports are down $4.9 billion from fiscal 2014 on both lower export volumes for corn and wheat and expected lower unit values. Cotton exports are forecast down $600 million due to lower expected prices. Exports of livestock, poultry, and dairy products are down $500 million. Horticultural exports are forecast up $2.9 billion to a record $37.0 billion, and, if realized, will be the first time exports of horticultural products are greater than exports of grain and feed products. Agricultural exports to China are forecast down $3.0 billion from fiscal 2014, but China is expected to remain the top U.S. market for agricultural products. Exports to Russia are projected to fall $800 million to total $400 million in fiscal 2015 as a result of trade restrictions against the United States. Russia’s share of U.S. agricultural exports would decline from 0.8 percent in 2014 to about 0.3 percent in 2015.

U.S. agricultural imports are forecast at a record $117 billion in fiscal 2015, $7.5 billion higher than in fiscal 2014. Increases in import value are expected for most products in 2015, with the largest gains in horticultural products, sugar and tropical products, and livestock products. The U.S. agricultural trade surplus is expected to fall by $15.5 billion in fiscal 2015, to $27.5 billion. This would be the smallest surplus since 2009.

For fiscal 2014, the record $152.5 billion forecast for exports is up $3.0 billion from last quarter’s forecast, and  imports are down $1 billion to $109.5 billion. 



Alliance Releases Reports from 2014 Animal Rights Conferences

The Animal Agriculture Alliance today released a report that chronicles observations from the 33rd annual Animal Rights National Conference presented by The Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) and the Humane Society of the United States’ Taking Action for Animals (TAFA) conference. Collectively, more than 2,500 people, many from foreign countries including; Brazil, Canada, India and Europe, attended the conferences.

“It is so important that we be present at events like this in order to get a first-hand account of what activist groups are planning and understand the state of the animal rights movement,” said Animal Agriculture Alliance President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith. “If we can glean what demographics the activist groups are targeting, we can more effectively counter their misleading campaigns against animal agriculture.”

Though all of the speakers noted the “great successes” that have been achieved by the movement for animals raised on farms, in zoos and aquariums, and utilized in medical research—numerous speakers also discussed discrepancies in the movement; noting in-fighting among group leaders and dissention in the ranks.

Specifically, FARM founder Alex Hershaft noted that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ (PETA) Ingrid Newkirk had not attended the annual animal rights conference in more than 13 years—despite repeated invitations for her to speak. Hershaft and other speakers also expressed frustration in how the movement lacked coordination. Said Hershaft, “If our opponents knew how little we communicated, they would be amazed.”

Besides Hershaft, other notable activist presenters from one or both conferences included Wayne Pacelle (Humane Society of the United States), Nathan Runkle (Mercy for Animals), Bruce Friedrich (Farm Sanctuary), and Will Potter (Author, Green is the New Red and Drone Kickstarter Campaign founder).

The reports, which collectively include summaries from over fifty conference plenary and “breakout sessions,” also summarize key quotes from notable speakers and detail upcoming campaigns and efforts.

All groups, including the Humane Society of the United States, Mercy for Animals and Farm Sanctuary spoke passionately about promoting veganism using every available channel, using social media to fundraise for the movement, targeting restaurants and retailers with messages about “factory farming” and promoting Meatless Mondays as an incremental tool towards converting consumers to veganism.

“These reports really capture the goals and sentiments held by the leading animal rights organizations,” said Johnson Smith. “I hope our members utilize these reports as tools to communicate with stakeholders about the true agenda of the activist organizations and recognize the need to actively engage in conversations along the food chain about agriculture’s commitment to animal care.”

Both the 2014 Taking Action for Animals Report and the 2014 Animal Rights Conference Report, which compile personal accounts of speaker presentations and general observations, are available to Alliance members on the Alliance website. 



China Sets Soybean Import Record

China will import more than 70 million metric tons of soybeans in the 2013-14 crop year -- a new record -- experts said.  The import estimate is also 11.9 mmt (437 million bushels) higher than the previous crop year, a record high year-over-year increase.

While the official August data hasn't been released, the market estimates that 6.25 mmt (227 mb) were imported in August, bringing the total for the year to 70.25 mmt (2.58 billion bushels), said Zhonghua Wang, market analyst in Beijing.

The 70 mmt estimate is higher than previous local estimates and USDA's estimates, Wang added. USDA estimated China's 13/14 crop year soybean imports at 69 mmt in its latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report.



August Sees Brazil Soy Exports Fall, Corn Shipments Surge

Brazil saw soybean exports slide in August, reflecting less fervent demand as China waits for the bumper U.S. crop.  The world's No. 2 producer has been registering record shipments since the season started in February. But last month shipments subsided to 4.12 million metric tons, down from 5.4 mmt in the same month of 2013.

Buyers remained interested in buying Brazilian soybeans in August, which was reflected in an 80-cent jump in the premium for September delivery during the month to $2.60 per bushel over Chicago at Paranagua Friday. This premium offset a good part of the recent decline in futures prices but didn't offer enough to convince Brazilian farmers to sell large volumes of stocks, especially with the Brazilian real strengthening.

Still, Brazil remains on course to export a record 45 mmt in 2014, up from 42.8 mmt last year. So far in 2014, Brazil has shipped 42.0 mmt of beans, up from 37.2 mmt last year.

Meanwhile, corn exports surged in August as the second crop started arriving at port.  Shipments totaled 2.5 mmt last month, up from 592,000 metric tons in July but lower than the 3.1 mmt shipped in the same month last year.  With a massive U.S. crop on the way, Brazilian corn exports are expected to fall to the 19 mmt to 20 mmt region in 2014 from 26.2 mmt last year.