Podcast: 2014 Corn Crop & Challenges Ahead

 In this podcast, Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director for the Nebraska Corn Board, shares information about the 2014 corn crop and the challenges ahead. This year's American corn crop will be the largest on record—with a projected 14.4 billion bushels. Growing more corn means we need to grow demand. The good news is that we have a number of markets for our corn—both domestically and abroad—in exports, livestock and ethanol production that are key to the success and profitability of Nebraska corn farmers. Nevertheless, threats to these industries, especially those to renewable fuels and foreign trade, could pose many challenges for corn farmers moving forward.

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7% Corn Harvested as of 9/29/14

For the week ending September 28, 2014, above normal temperatures accelerated the dry down of row crops as producers waited for grain moisture levels to decline, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rain at midweek was heaviest in central counties with amounts limited elsewhere.

There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 23 short, 70 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 8 percent very short, 25 short, 65 adequate, and 2 surplus.

Corn conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 6 poor, 19 fair, 51 good, and 22 excellent. Corn dented was 97 percent, near 99 for both last year and the average. Corn mature was 63 percent, near 60 last year and 66 average. Corn harvested was 7 percent, near 8 last year, but behind 16 average

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and UNL Extension Service.

For more pictures check out the Nebraska Corn Board Flickr page.

Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables at: http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProg//2010s/2014/CropProg-09-29-2014.pdf

Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps at: http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/maps/current/index.php?action=update_region&state=NE&region=HPRCC

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

Corn Season Progressing

For the week ending September 7, 2014, cool temperatures coupled with rain slowed fieldwork activities early and again late in the week, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Moisture accumulations in most areas were less than an inch but enough to make hay harvest difficult. Irrigation was in the final stages and corn silage harvest began in southern counties. There were 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 23 short, 68 adequate, and 5 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 8 percent very short, 27 short, 63 adequate, and 2 surplus.

Corn conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 6 poor, 19 fair, 50 good, and 22 excellent. Corn dough was 98 percent, near 97 last year and equal to the average. Corn dented was 75 percent, ahead of 69 last year, but behind 80 average. Corn mature was 15 percent, ahead of 4 last year, but near 16 average.

 For more pictures, check out the Nebraska Corn Board's Flickr page.

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and UNL Extension Service.

Corn progress well ahead of last year

For the week ending August 17, 2014, rain in the central part of the State helped reduce the need for irrigation, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Dryland crops in areas that did not receive rain were showing stress. Cooler weather in the eastern part of the State slowed crop development, while warmer temperatures in the west helped dry down hay. There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 31 short, 61 adequate, and 1 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 11 percent very short, 32 short, 57 adequate, and 0 surplus.

Corn conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 6 poor, 21 fair, 50 good, and 20 excellent. Corn dough was 78 percent, well ahead of 64 last year, but near 75 for the five-year average. Corn dented was 20 percent, ahead of 10 last year, but behind 29 average.

See more crop progress pictures on our Flickr album.

Irrigating Season Continues

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

LINCOLN, NE- For the week ending August 3, 2014, cooler temperatures limited moisture demands of non-irrigated crops. However, another week of only scattered rainfall stressed dryland crops and pastures, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Irrigation continued non-stop in many areas.

Wheat harvest was near completion with only
northern Panhandle fields remaining. The dry
conditions also supported hay harvest.

The number of days considered suitable for fieldwork were 6.7. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 10 percent very short, 39 short, 51 adequate, and 0 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 12 percent very short, 31 short, 57 adequate, and 0 surplus.

 Corn conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 6 poor, 20 fair, 52 good, and 20 excellent. Corn silking was 94 percent, near 91 last year and equal to the average. Corn dough was 42 percent, well ahead of 13 last year and 32 average.

 Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and UNL Extension Service.

It's irrigation season for many producers

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION LINCOLN, NE, For the week ending July 20, 2014, the State saw unseasonably cool temperatures and only isolated rainfall according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. With the dry conditions, wheat harvest was over one half complete.

Also, producers in many areas started irrigating their row crops last week. The number of days suitable for fieldwork were 6.4. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 28 short, 66 adequate, and 2 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 8 percent very short, 26 short, 65 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Corn conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 17 fair, 52 good, and 24 excellent. Corn silking was 62 percent, ahead of 45 last year, but near 60 average. Corn dough was 8 percent, ahead of 0 last year but near 6 average


Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and UNL Extension Service.

54% of Nebraska's Corn Crop ranks "Good"

Serene Nebraska View

For the week ending June 22, 2014, warm, wet conditions prevailed over much of the eastern two thirds of the state, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.  Rainfall totaling 2 to 3 inches was common in central counties with up to 6 inches reported in the extreme northeast causing lowland flooding.  Storm damage was reported with losses of crops, livestock, irrigation equipment and farm grain storage.

Storm Damage near Henderson, NE

The number of days considered suitable for fieldwork was 4.3. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 3 percent very short, 17 short, 73 adequate, and 7 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 10 percent very short, 22 short, 65 adequate, and 3 surplus.

Corn conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 25 fair, 54 good, and 14 excellent.

 

Good looking crop by Holdrege, NE

Data for this news release was provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and UNL Extension Service.
Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables here
Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps here
Access the U.S. Drought Monitor here

For more corn info check out the Nebraska Corn Board website and Facebook page.

Farmers Face Severe Weather Damage Yet Again

Beautiful view from the Chase County school area (Imperial, NE)

Damaged corn stalk from the
Heartland school area
(Henderson-Bradshaw)

LINCOLN, NE, June 9, 2014 -- For the week ending June 8, 2014, rainfall occurred statewide with 2 to 3 inches common in central and eastern counties, improving soil moisture supplies, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. High winds and hail damaged growing crops and irrigation equipment. Producers are in the process of evaluating affected crops to determine if replanting was necessary.

Mother Nature left our crops a mess

Corn conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 4 poor, 24 fair, 59 good, and 11 excellent. Corn emerged was 98 percent, ahead of 90 last year, but near 96 average.

                 
Alfalfa harvest advanced but was difficult due to the wet conditions. Dry bean planting continued in western counties and millet planting was underway. Pastures were showing improvement with the recent rains. The number of days considered suitable for fieldwork were 3.5. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 19 short, 69 adequate, and 7 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 14 percent very short, 25 short, 59 adequate, and 2 surplus.

Mother Nature's beauty by Howells-Dodge school district

Access the National publication for

Crop Progress and Condition tables here.

 

Check out the Nebraska Corn Board website

for more corn facts and information.

Thanks to all of the FFA Chapters who continue to send in the awesome pictures that enhance our
Crop Progress Reports.

97% of Nebraska's Corn Crop is Planted

Rows of corn plants are popping up through the soil

97% of Nebraska's Corn Crop is Planted

For the week ending May 25, 2014, precipitation across the Panhandle and drought-stricken southwestern counties was received early in the week with an inch or more common, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.  Rain also fell over the weekend across the southeast and east central areas but missed most northeastern counties.

Statewide, corn planting was virtually complete and soybean planting was winding up. Temperatures averaged 4 to 6 degrees above normal.  The number of days considered suitable for fieldwork were 5.5. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 9 percent very short, 28 short, 60 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 17 percent very short, 31 short,
51 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Corn planted was 97 percent, ahead of 94 last year, but equal to the average. Corn emerged was 74 percent, ahead of 56 last year but near 71 average.


To view all crop progress photos, visit our Flickr page.
For more information from the Nebraska Corn Board visit our Twitter and Facebook pages!

Storms Strike Eastern Nebraska

Corn is starting to emerge in Nebraska!

For the week ending May 11th most of Nebraska received precipitation, with amounts varying widely across the state. Localized areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms in eastern Nebraska caused some damage to irrigation equipment and buildings. Areas of southwest Nebraska remain in an extreme drought in spite of the recent rains. Average temperatures ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the panhandle to 6 degrees above normal in southeast Nebraska. The number of days considered suitable for fieldwork were 5.1.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 38 percent short/very short, 58 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 52 percent short/very short, 48 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus.

Corn planted was 77 percent, well ahead of 39 percent last year but near the 71 percent average. Corn emerged was 18 percent, which is well ahead of last years 2 percent but currently behind the national average of 21 percent.

To view all crop progress photos visit our Flickr page.

Investment by Nebraska corn farmers nearly $3 billion to plant 9.4 million acres

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Nebraska corn farmers will plant 9.4 million acres of corn, about 94% of last year’s total of 9.95 million acres.

With Nebraska corn farmers’ intentions of planting 9.4 million acres of corn this year, farmers will spend about $280 per acre to get the crop in the ground and off to a good start, based on estimates calculated by the University of Nebraska Extension. Multiplied by the 9.4 million acres USDA estimates Nebraska farmers will plant, this figures to nearly $2.6 billion invested by the state’s corn farmers over a two-month period. That figure does not include land costs, labor or equipment – it’s purely inputs like seed, fuel and fertilizer.

Nationally, USDA said farmers intend to plant 91.7 million acres this year, which is 3.7 million fewer acres than the previous year. If realized, total corn plantings could be the lowest planted acreage since 2010. Notably, it would still be the fifth-largest U.S. corn acreage planted since 1944.

“We are looking at adding nearly $3 billion worth of economic activity into our state, which doesn’t even include the additional inputs, land and equipment expenses that come through the rest of the year,” said Tim Scheer, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “This continues to be an economic booster for the rest of the year and those dollars reverberate through the rural economy and multiply to support Main Street, Nebraska.”

Just getting the crops in the ground is one form of economic activity, yet the full economic impact of planting reaches close to $6 billion for our state’s economy.

“Farmers will invest $2.6 billion in seed and fertilizer to get their crop planted, yet the economic value of that crop is even greater when harvested and that corn is converted to meat, milk and eggs, ethanol, distillers grains, bioplastics and more,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, director of research for the Nebraska Corn Board. “Corn is the foundation for all of that, so getting the crop in the ground and off to a good start this spring is critical. Then it’s up to the weather through the growing season to harvest.”

Historically in Nebraska, farmers begin planting in mid-April and wrap up as quickly as possible in May. However, weather is a key element for planting. And this year’s harsh, dry winter brings a concern of the available soil moisture that will be available come planting time. According to the April 14 USDA Nebraska Crop Progress and Condition report, topsoil moisture supplies in Nebraska rated 13 percent very short, 42 short, 45 adequate, and 1 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 17 percent very short, 43 short, 39 adequate, and 0 surplus.

Another challenge with planting investments this year is lower commodity prices, yet input costs continue to be on the rise. This makes the margin for the cost of production very slim for Nebraska farmers.

“This year will be a much tighter margin basis than we’ve had for several years and farmers will be producing much closer to the cost of production,” said Scheer. “With volatile market activity, hopefully there will be opportunity for farmers to lock in prices to manage their risk.”

USDA Report Indicates Corn Stocks Up, Prospective Planted Acres Down

American farmers expect to plant 3.7 million fewer acres of corn in 2014, a four percent decrease from 2013, according the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Prospective Plantings report released today.   If realized, total corn plantings in the United States would total 91.7 million acres for the lowest planted acreage since 2010. Notably, it would still be the fifth-largest U.S. corn acreage planted since 1944.

In Nebraska, the report projected the state would plant 9.4 million acres, 94 percent of the previous year’s planted acres of 9.95 million acres.

"In 2013, U.S. farmers produced a record crop abundant enough to meet all needs and provide an ample carry over into 2014," National Corn Growers Association President Martin Barbre said.  "While it is still early in the season and many factors may change the reality on the ground as planting progresses, the public can rest assured that bountiful stockpiles and adequate plantings will ensure our corn security for the year to come."

The USDA's estimate for 2014 is for 91.7 million acres to be planted in field corn.  Assuming the five-year average 83.9 percent harvest rate holds and the projected trend yield of 159.4 bushels per acre is achieved, farmers will harvest 13.37 billion bushels. 

Some states are expected to increase corn planting including Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts and Utah. If projections hold, Idaho would plant a record acreage to corn this year. The actual number of planted acres will be released in USDA's June 30 report.

In the Grain Stocks report, also released this morning, USDA shows corn stocks in all positions stood at more than seven billion bushels on March 1, 2014, up 30 percent from the same time last year.  Both figures for on- and off-farm corn in storage stood higher than at this time last year, up 45 and 15 percent respectively. In total, USDA shows 3.45 billion bushels of corn used between December and February, compared with 2.63 over the same period in 2013.