Monday July 24 Crop Progress Report + Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending July 23, 2017, temperatures averaged four to eight degrees above normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Measurable rainfall was received in the northern and southeastern parts of Nebraska. Winter wheat harvest was wrapping up for the region. There were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 31 percent very short, 40 short, 29 adequate, and 0 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 24 percent very short, 42 short, 34 adequate, and 0 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 5 percent very poor, 10 poor, 24 fair, 49 good, and 12 excellent. Corn silking was 76 percent, near 78 last year and 74 for the five-year average. Dough was 9 percent, near 11 last year and 12 average.

Soybean condition rated 5 percent very poor, 10 poor, 26 fair, 53 good, and 6 excellent. Soybeans blooming was 79 percent, ahead of 72 last year, and near 75 average. Setting pods was 26 percent, ahead of 16 last year, and equal to average.

Winter wheat harvested was 93 percent, near 90 last year, and ahead of 77 average.

Sorghum condition rated 4 percent very poor, 5 poor, 28 fair, 48 good, and 15 excellent. Sorghum headed was 10 percent, behind 22 last year and 23 average.

Oats condition rated 2 percent very poor, 3 poor, 37 fair, 50 good, and 8 excellent. Oats mature was 96 percent. Harvested was 76 percent, ahead of 63 both last year and average.

Alfalfa condition rated 6 percent very poor, 15 poor, 33 fair, 38 good, and 8 excellent. Alfalfa second cutting was 96 percent complete, ahead of 90 last year and 83 average. Third cutting was 22 percent, near 19 last year.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 14 percent very poor, 20 poor, 39 fair, 24 good, and 3 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 6 percent very short, 13 short, 81 adequate, and 0 surplus.



Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables at:
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProg/2010s/2017/CropProg-07-24-2017.pdf

Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps at: http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/maps.php?map=ACISClimateMaps

Access the U.S. Drought Monitor at:
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?NE



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

Above normal temperatures were accompanied by widely varying rainfall and some severe weather during the week ending July 23, 2017, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included hauling grain, applying herbicides and insecticides, cultivating, and haying.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 20 percent very short, 32 percent short, 45 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Over 90 percent of south central Iowa’s topsoil falls into the short to very short moisture level categories, while 99 percent of northeast Iowa’s topsoil falls into the adequate to surplus categories. Subsoil moisture levels rated 14 percent very short, 32 percent short, 52 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

Seventy-four percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the silking stage, 4 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn conditions deteriorated slightly to 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 13 percent excellent.

Nearly three-quarters of the soybean crop was blooming, with 30 percent of soybeans setting pods, 1 day ahead of average. Soybean condition also dropped slightly with 62 percent rated good to excellent.

Oats coloring reached 89 percent, one week behind last year. Forty-one percent of oats for grain or seed have been harvested, 4 days behind last year. Oat condition rated 71 percent good to excellent. Crops were described as suffering from heat stress and lack of moisture across much of the state.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 90 percent complete and third cutting reached 8 percent, 5 days behind average. Hay condition rated 61 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition continued to decline with just 41 percent good to excellent. High temperatures and humidity were reported to cause normal summer heat stress to livestock, with some reports of heat-related deaths.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress

Soybean, corn and spring wheat condition ratings all worsened in the last week, according to USDA's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.

Soybeans were rated 14% poor to very poor in the week ended July 23, compared to 11% last week. Fifty-seven percent of the crop was rated good to excellent, compared to 61% last week.  Sixty-nine percent of soybeans are blooming, while 29% are setting pods. That compares to 52% and 16% last week, 74% and 33% last year and averages of 67% and 27%.

Corn conditions were rated 12% poor to very poor, compared to 11% last week. Sixty-two percent of the corn crop was rated good-to-excellent.  Sixty seven percent of the corn is silking and 8% is in the dough stage, compared to 40% and NA last week, 76% and 12% last year and averages of 69% and 13%.

Spring wheat was rated 40% poor to very poor, compared to 41% last week. Thirty-three percent of spring wheat was rated good-to-excellent.  Winter wheat is 84% harvested, compared to 75% last week, 82% last year, and an 80% average. 

Sorghum is 38% headed and 21% coloring, compared to 31% and 20% last week, 48% and 22% last year, and averages of 42% and 25%. Sorghum condition worsened to 59% good to excellent, compared to 63% last week.

Barley is 97% headed, compared to 89% last week, 97% last year and a 97% average. Barley condition worsened, with more of the crop moving into the fair rating and out of the good to excellent category.

Oats are 24% harvested, compared to 14% last week, 35% last year and a 31% average.

Cotton is 77% squaring and 36% setting bolls, compared to 70% and 26% last week, 84% and 43% last year, and 84% and 41% on average. Cotton condition worsened in the past week. Rice is 49% headed, compared to 33% last week, 55% last year and a 44% average.



Southern Rust Confirmed in Corn in 8 Eastern Nebraska Counties 
Tamra Jackson-Ziems, NE Extension Plant Pathologist

Southern corn rust was confirmed in Seward County July 19, York County July 18, Cass and Fillmore counties July 17, and in Cloud County in north central Kansas July 14. (It had previously been confirmed in five more southern Kansas counties.) Southern rust was also confirmed on samples from Richardson, Nemaha, Otoe, and Thayer counties July 20.  The disease is likely elsewhere and fields, particularly in southern Nebraska, should be scouted frequently for this disease in the coming weeks.

Southern rust is caused by an aggressive fungus that can cause disease rapidly in susceptible corn hybrids under favorable weather conditions. If it becomes severe, it can cause significant yield loss in susceptible hybrids. Producers and crop advisors should be monitoring fields closely for this disease.

Favorable Weather
Current weather conditions are very favorable for development and spread of southern rust. The pathogen does not overwinter so its spores (urediniospores) must be blown into the area by wind from the south.  The fungus needs moisture to germinate and infect, so high relative humidity, rainfall, and irrigation will hasten disease development. Warm temperatures favor southern rust development, especially temperatures in the upper 70s to lower 80s F, even if they occur overnight.

Monitoring
A new southern rust tracking website has been created to help document the distribution of the disease...  http://ext.ipipe.org/  Please help us keep the map updated by sharing corn samples with southern rust. Samples submitted to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic that are microscopically confirmed will be highlighted in red on the map. Other samples that look probable for southern rust in photos will be highlighted in yellow to indicate that the disease is “suspected” until a positive sample is submitted from that county.

Management
Most corn hybrids are susceptible to the southern rust fungus. Foliar fungicides can effectively manage the disease. Most systemic fungicides can provide protection of leaves from future infections for up to 21-28 days.

The wide range of planting dates across Nebraska this year has resulted in a wide range of corn growth and reproductive stages in fields, some of which are still in the vegetative growth stages.  Later planted fields that are earlier in their maturity are at the greatest risk for yield loss if the disease develops there soon. Southern rust can take days to several weeks to develop once it’s identified in an area, so immediate treatment may not be necessary for most fields. Spraying early may mean a second application is necessary later in the season to protect plants during later grain-fill stages as the disease increases in severity once the fungicide has worn off.

If you're unsure of what you're seeing, submit a sample to the UNL Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic for help identifying this or other diseases.  For more information see the Nebraska Extension NebGuide, Rust Diseases of Corn in Nebraska (G1680).



Although at Low Levels, Soybean Aphids Are in Northeast Nebraska
Thomas Hunt - NE Extension Entomologist
Keith Jarvi - NE Extension Educator
Wayne Ohnesorg - NE Extension Educator

Although it has been too hot for soybean aphids to thrive, we are beginning to see them in northeast Nebraska soybean fields, albeit at extremely low levels. The infestations appear to have occurred fairly recently, as the aphids were only observed on leaves that had not yet expanded completely. One could consider many fields to be “seeded” with soybean aphid, and if (or maybe we should say when) temperatures decline, we could see soybean aphid populations increase significantly.

In past years we have monitored soybean fields that were almost devoid of aphids in mid-July grow to well over 2000 aphids per plant by mid-August. It’s time to review soybean aphid biology and management, and if you have not started to scout for aphids, start now.

More information here... http://cropwatch.unl.edu/2017/although-low-levels-soybean-aphids-present-northeast-nebraska. 



View High-Tech Sensors in Action at Project SENSE Updates

Project SENSE update sessions are planned in five locations across Nebraska in August. Project SENSE (Sensors for Efficient Nitrogen Use and Stewardship of the Environment) focuses on improving the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use. During the sessions, growers will learn how to outfit and implement the project’s nitrogen management strategy on their operations.

Strategies which direct crop nitrogen status at early growth stages are a promising way to improve nitrogen fertilizer efficiency and improve groundwater nitrate levels.  Growers will see a live demonstration of the project’s high clearance nitrogen applicator outfitted with active crop canopy sensors. Attendees will learn how producers are conducting research trials on their own fields in partnership with the Project SENSE team.  There will also be a fixed wing drone exhibition, weather permitting.

Update sessions will take place on the following days:
-    Aug. 4, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: From Hebron, ¾ mile east of HWY 81 on River Rd.
-    Aug. 7, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: 548 Rd. 14, Schuyler
-    Aug. 14, 5 – 7 p.m.: From Monroe 3 miles south on Monroe Rd. then 3.5 miles east
-    Aug. 16, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.: From Chapman, west on G Rd. to 2nd Rd., north to K Rd., east 1 mile to 3rd rd., south ½ mile
-    Aug. 22, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: 3730 Denton Rd, Beaver Crossing

Lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is due two days in advance for meal-planning purposes. To pre-register, call 308-754-5422 or email tingram5@unl.edu.

For more information, visit http://cropwatch.unl.edu/projectsense. Certified Crop Adviser credits are available.

Project SENSE is a collaborative effort between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Nebraska Corn Board, five Natural Resources Districts (Central Platte, Little Blue, Lower Loup, Lower Platte North, and Upper Big Blue) in Nebraska, and producers participating in the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network.



SUMMER WATER NEEDS
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               This summer’s heat and humidity makes it abundantly clear how important adequate water is for your pastured livestock.  Let’s discuss ways to provide water throughout your pastures.

               This summer has been especially hot and muggy.  While it may be uncomfortable for you and me, it is particularly hard on livestock out on pasture.  To help them thrive, or even just survive, under these conditions, they need plenty of good, clean water.

               Not only do they need plenty of good, clean water – they need it close by.  Once upon a time, it was common to make cattle walk a mile or more to water.  And they’d do it.  But just think how hard it is on animals in this heat and humidity.  Once they get to the water, the last thing they want to do is turn around and go way back where they came from to graze.  As a result, they stay fairly close to the water.   In fact, research shows that when cattle need to travel more than 1000 feet to water, they spend less time grazing, they burn off pounds walking, and they graze distant areas incompletely.

               So – how can you improve your water distribution?  More ponds, wells, windmills, and dugouts will help, but they can get expensive.  Plus, they can only be placed in certain locations and can’t be moved.  So my preference often is to use a pipeline.  They can be put almost anywhere.  And if you want to add more water locations, pipelines can be tapped into anywhere along the line.  In many areas, you might qualify for cost-share dollars to help pay for the installation.  You also can leave your pipe on top of the ground, saving trenching costs, if you only need water during the growing season.

               Over time, these water improvements pay for themselves with better grass and improved animal performance.



USDA Cold Storage  June 2017 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on June 30, 2017 were down 3 percent from the previous month and down 7 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 10 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 5 percent from the previous month and down 4 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 29 percent from last month and down 65 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on June 30, 2017 were up 4 percent from the previous month and up 4 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 3 percent from the previous month but down 1 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 7 percent from last month and up 12 percent from June 30, 2016.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on June 30, 2017 were down 1 percent from the previous month but up 5 percent from June 30, 2016. Butter stocks were down 1 percent from last month and down 5 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks were down 2 percent from last month and down 4 percent from a year ago.  Total frozen vegetable stocks were up 1 percent from last month but down 2 percent from a year ago.



Japanese-based Marubeni Acquires U.S. Beef Packer

Creekstone Farms, the Arkansas City, Kan.-based packing company with $550 million in sales last year, has been sold to Japanese trading house Marubeni. Creekstone, the 12th largest U.S. packing firm, was owned by private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners. A Japanese news source reported the deal to be worth $170 million.

Marubeni already owns an Australian feedlot, which means the company now has interests in two of the world's largest beef producing and exporting countries. International business analysts believe Marubeni sees changes in trade policy among major economies as business opportunities, and is making a play to be on the leading edge of U.S. beef exports to China with its purchase of Creekstone.

Creekstone processed about 250,000 cattle last year, about 20% of which was exported to Europe, Japan and other countries. It received a license to export to China soon after the ban was lifted last month. Marubeni says it has targeted sales of $620 million from Creekstone by 2020 through increasing exports to China and other destinations.



CWT Assists with 1.4 Million Pounds of Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted five requests for export assistance from member cooperatives that have contracts to sell 1.4 million pounds (640 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese to customers in Asia, the Middle East and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from July through October 2017.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives that have contracts to sell 45.7 million pounds of American-type cheeses and 3 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 17 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 489.8 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.