PRST STD U.S. POSTAgE PAID OMAHA, NE PERMIT NO. 36
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Volume VI, Issue 10
October 2013
Harvest behind but solid yields ahead
Forecasted yields better than expected despite bad weather by greg Forbes A rocky planting and growing season included an early October storm that saw some fields in western Iowa flattened by tornadoes and strong winds. Farmers have begun to put the raucous weather behind them and salvage what’s left of crops but for the most part, harvest may yield a pleasant surprise. “I would say that the corn, even though it is wetter and being harvested later than usual, yields seem to be slightly larger than expected,” said Steven Johnson, farm management specialist with Iowa State University Extension. “The eastern Corn Belt is where we have record yields in states like Indiana and Ohio. That’s why we have a “4” in front of the price and not a “7” like last year.” He commented that the last USDA report issued in September forecasted a lower yield than that
estimated in August’s report. Although the USDA has not issued an October report due to the partial shutdown of the federal government, Johnson said private reports and local farmers have given reason to believe statewide yields will average 162 bushels of corn per acre and 43 bushels of soybeans per acre. Although the projected yields fall below the 30year trend line for both corn and soybeans, Johnson said the forecast is a welcome sight after last year’s average yield to date stumbled to just 137 bushels per acre. Johnson credited the improvement to the weather, especially to corn planted later than desired. “This was probably the latest planted crop since, I believe 1993,” he said. “The corn likely pollinated late and was susceptible to an early frost but thankfully the weather went hot and dry. That helped with maturity.” The wet field conditions during the planting season led to extreme variability in corn acres planted in April compared to May. Johnson said the corn planted in April will yield more favorably compared to the late planted seeds. Fortunately for the delayed plants, the annual “killing frost” is also late on arrival. “Iowa planted the corn crop exceptionally late and there was a lot of concern that an early frost could damage the crop,” he said. “Well, we haven’t had a killing frost yet. We will probably have a later than normal killing frost, which bodes well for production.” HARVEST, Page 4A
The shutdown’s impact on crop farmers The federal government shut down on the first of October due to an expiration of funding. One entity that had to temporarily discontinue services was the USDA. Dr. Chad Hart, associate professor of economics and a crop markets specialist with Iowa State University, said the shutdown poses an inconvenience to farmers as monthly crop reports are not available but does not directly affect production. “That information is missing, which is a good size toll,” Hart said. “It doesn’t impact production yet but the idea that it’s information they’ve (farmers) always had but don’t have now.” The CRP program is also not issuing checks during this time and the Farm Service Agencies and National Resource Conservation Services are unavailable at this time as well. Heavy storms in early October have also exposed an area in which the shutdown may impact farmers. Storm damage requires that farmers who are covered from damages file a claim with their insurance agents. SHUTDOWN, Page 4A