Corn 2022 by Globe Gazette

CORN 2022

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2022

Mitchell County Press News/Summit Tribune

SECTION B

STEVEN THOMPSON, PRESS NEWS AND SUMMIT TRIBUNE

Photo of some of the bins and grain handling system on one of the Helm’s Farms.

Helm Family finds benefits in alliance STEVE THOMPSON

Special to the Press News/ Summit Tribune

The Helm Family, who row crop farm West of Forrest City have developed a unique farming alliance so each of the three families still have their independent farming operations, while using shared machinery and labor to produce their crops. Steve graduated from Forrest City High School in 1978, and took the giant step of purchasing land in 1979 when he began farming. In 1982 he married Nancy; “Nancy grew up on a farm near Thompson, and for many years she ran the grain cart at harvest time,” said Steve, who is a second generation farmer. “My first crop year was 2004 when I was still in college. “Dad’s sister had a farm and I rented it,” said Steve and Nancy’s son Adam, who is a tax preparer when he is not farming. Younger brother Kirk started his farming operation in 2009. Steve bought a farm that spring and rented it to Kirk, who also works seasonally as a mechanic. Speaking of their family farm alliance Steve stated, “Each family farms independently, and we each own our own pieces of equipment, but those pieces of equipment are used for all our

operations. Each of us picks out our own hybrids of corn, but with herbicides and other chemicals we try to pick out common ones, because we use a common sprayer. All our pieces of land are within an eight mile radius.” Steve pointed out the shared operations are heavy on corn. “We do some rotation with soybeans, but most years we are 75 percent corn depending on the year. Most of our corn is sold to Christensen Farms and used in their hog rations. ” Preparation for the 2022 corn crop began last fall. “In the fall we laid down our Anhydrous and fertilizer, and will run the field cultivator over our ground this spring before we plant. We spay a pre-emerge herbicide immediately after planting and a postemerge herbicide when the corn is about 10 inches tall. We plant seed corn with the Bt Traits, and STEVEN THOMPSON, PRESS NEWS AND SUMMIT TRIBUNE when needed when we lay down additional fertilizer with our pre- Adam Helm (left) and Steve Helm (right) stand next to the sign on Steve Helm’s Farm. emerge herbicide,” said Adam. “We have a John Deere Bar “Each family farms independently, and we each own our own pieces of with Precision Planting Units on it, and we plant in 30 inch equipment, but those pieces of equipment are used for all our operations. rows. The seed population var- Each of us picks out our own hybrids of corn, but with herbicides and other ies with each field, but we plant up to 36,000 seeds per acre,” said chemicals we try to pick out common ones, because we use a common Steve. sprayer. All our pieces of land are within an eight mile radius.” Steve Helm

Please see ALLIANCE, Page B2

Mitchell County Ag suppliers answer corn input questions STEVEN THOMPSON

Special to the Press News/ Summit Tribune

Weather permitting, Mitchell County Corn Producers could be preparing and planting their fields in three months. As the 2022 crop season moves closer, many questions concerning costs and availability of inputs have yet to be answered. In late December of 2021, we did a random survey of several local Ag suppliers to check on availability and cost trends for corn inputs in 2022.

Farm equipment:

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“Everything is a challenge with the world wide supply shortages, but it is slowly getting better. In some cases, if producers are planning to purchase new equipment it could take multiple seasons to get it. If farmers are planning on purchasing new equipment, they need to be planning ahead,” said Adam Norby, who is an equipment salesman for Kibble Equipment in Osage. Kibble Equipment sells John Deere Equipment through 23 stores located throughout Iowa, STEVEN THOMPSON PHOTOS, PRESS NEWS AND SUMMIT TRIBUNE Minnesota, and South Dakota. Garett Rockwell, Kibble Implement mechanic, works on John Deere Combine. “We do have a few ways to get

“We don’t have much used equipment, because good equipment sells fast.” Mark Taets, owner of Mark’s Tractor and Implement Stores in Osage and Dumont equipment, but we are limited. Used machinery demand is strong, and we have a limited supply of certain items.” added Norby. Zach Hase, Service Manager for the Osage Store stated, that obtaining parts for machinery is returning to normal after the settlement of John Deere’s recent strike. “Parts are coming

in better than they were, and we are booked up until mid-February in our shop,” said Hase. Both Norby and Hase cautions farmers to book their shop appointments, and order new machinery early this crop year, due to supply chain problems. “I’ve been in the machinery business for 44 years, and this is the shortest I’ve seen the machinery supply since I’ve been in business,” said Mark Taets, who owns and operates Marks Tractor and Implement Stores northwest of Osage, and in Dumont. “We have planters and some brands of manure spreaders that have to be ordered now for farmers to get delivery in 2023. We don’t have much used equipment, because good equipment sells fast.” He encourages farmers to do their farm machinery repairs as soon as possible; “We always want people to get their stuff to our shops before the crop season. We haven’t had a big issues with getting parts, but we heard there could be a shortage of sweeps for field cultivators so we already have a supply on hand for this spring,” said Taets. Please see QUESTIONS, Page B3

CORN 2022

| Tuesday, January 25, 2022

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS NEWS/SUMMIT TRIBUNE

Alliance From B1

“We spray on our fungicide in late July, by plane or helicopter,” added Adam. During the spring work Adam runs the field cultivator, Steve does the planting, and Kirk transports the seed and fertilizer to his Dad, and also does mechanic work. Steve’s wife Nancy, Adam’s wife Trista, and Kirk’s wife Alicia are credited with bringing meals to the field, and running to get supplies and parts for machinery during busy seasons. In the fall Adam runs the combine, Kirk runs the grain cart, and Steve hauls and unloads semis, and keeps the dryer running. Kirk also repairs and services machinery. “We have been strong believers in early harvesting, starting when the corn is 22 to 23 percent moisture,” said Steve. A newly installed drier on his farm can dry up to 2,400 bushels of corn per hour. Concern for conservation is also a part of the combined operations. They use floatation track-tractors for better traction, and to create less soil compaction. They use minimum tillage, maintain grass-waterways, and some of the rolling ground is terraced. Five windmills are also present on the land they farm. Speaking of current concerns for the 2022 crop year Steve said, “We use Round Up herbicide on both our corn and beans and we kind of need it. Our supplier is confident we will get what we need this spring, but it is going to be a lot more expensive.” “We did get some recharge of moisture last fall, but we were really dry going into harvest. I think if we would have had the same hy-

STEVEN THOMPSON, PRESS NEWS AND SUMMIT TRIBUNE‌

Adam (Left) and Steve (Right) stand next to their 8370RT John Deere with it’s tracks, which helps to keep from compacting the soil. brids we had 30 years ago, in last year’s dry conditions our yields would have been a lot less.” “The cost of seed hasn’t went up nearly as much as fertilizers, chemicals, and machinery,” added Adam. “We had a major breakdown on the combine last fall, and they searched for a machinery part on the internet,

THE CORN REVOLUTION IS NOW

and there was only one of that part in the country. To get the supporting parts for the repair, we had to go to five different dealerships to get the machine back together.” Asked, what was some of the major changes they have experienced since becoming corn producers Steve said, “The tillage

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has changed a lot. When I started farming in these hills we plowed everything, now we use minimum tillage. One of the good invention of my time is the sound-guard tractors, which provide a lot more hearing protection.” “The biggest change that I have seen is the price of grain.” added Adam. “My first year in farming

was 2004 and the corn price was $1.91 per bushels.” Corn prices are three times that today. The Helm Family has developed a unique alliance that allows each of the three participating families to still make independent decisions, while utilizing combined labor and machinery to lower the cost of producing a corn crop.

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CORN 2022

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS NEWS/SUMMIT TRIBUNE

Questions From B1

Crop insurance:

“Looking forward we still have strong prices for grain and producers need adequate levels of insurance, which enables them to forward market their grain. With higher commodity prices they need to make sure they have enough coverage.” Derek Mauser, Mauser Insurance in Osage

“There was a big push last fall and a lot of our customers have already put down their nitrogen. The Corn Belt wasn’t as cold and wet as previous years and most of the fertilizer is already on the fields. I don’t think there will be a big shortage this spring.” Tom Herres, manager, Osage Coop Elevator

Many corn producers pre-market their grain, and crop insurance assures financial protection should there be a crop failure. “Producers need to make sure to come in before March 15 to go over their crop insurance coverage for 2022,” said Derek Mauser, of Mauser Insurance in Osage. “Looking forward we still have strong prices for grain and producers need adequate levels of insurance, which enables them to forward market their grain. With higher commodity prices they need to make sure they have enough coverage.” Mauser encourages producers to make early appointments to go over their 2022 crop insurance.

Seed, fertilizers and chemicals: One of the major concerns for corn producers is the soaring cost of Nitrogen, which has more than doubled since the spring of 2020. “Anhydrous was below $500 a ton last year and now it is around $1,400 a ton,” said Tom Herres manager of the Osage Coop Elevator. “There was a big push last fall and a lot of our customers have already put down their nitrogen. The Corn Belt wasn’t as cold and wet as previous years and most of the fertilizer is already on the fields. I don’t think there will be a big shortage this spring.” As for corn chemicals Hettes stated, “We got the lion’s share of our chemicals on hand. We put up more chemical storage last fall so most of our chemicals are here. My advice to producers is not to panic and things will work out. Pre-planning always helps when one is putting in a crop.” Nick Clark, who manages Osage’s, Helena Agri-Enterprises Center located on the east edge of Osage, says the center sells NK, Dekalb, and Brevant seed corn. Comment-

Tuesday, January 25, 2022 |

ing on seed availability Clark said, “Some of our newer Hybrids might be in shorter supply, but our ongoing Hybrids should be OK.” He stated that seed availability could change, if some producers decide to change their soybeans acres to corn acres this spring. Speaking of fertilizer availability he stated, “Any Nitrogen sources is probably pushing about a dollar per unit. I think we will have enough, but rising costs are due to the rise in energy costs.” Natural gas is used in the production of Anhydrous Fertilizer. “Our supply of other fertilizers is Ok,” added Clark. “I think our corn chemical supply will be OK, but there might have to be some substitutes in brands,” said Clark. “If farmers have questions they need to make an appointment so we can talk about their potential obstacles.” Clark recommends that corn producers make appointments as soon as possible in order to get the seed and chemicals they want. He also pointed to another problem that suppliers might be experiencing this crop season, “One of our bigger problems is finding labor to move the seed and chemicals from our central distribution center to local dealers,” said Clark who is looking for qualified seasonal workers, who could help in transporting products. Lisa Peterson, who is in regional sales for Pivot Bio stated, “Given the present Nitrogen market we will probably sell out in the next month.” Pivot Bio’s newest product Proven 40, provides 40 pounds of Nitrogen per acre, through microbes that pulls Nitrogen from the atmosphere. The major theme of every supplier we spoke with was plan early, because supplies might tighten when planting rolls around. Suppliers and machinery dealers encourage corn producers to set up appointments now, and order parts and inputs early, so they have adequate time to get supplies through an already overloaded supply chain.

“Some of our newer Hybrids might be in shorter supply, but our ongoing Hybrids should be OK.” Nick Clark, manager, Helena Agri-Enteriprises in Osage

STEVEN THOMPSON PHOTOS, PRESS NEWS AND SUMMIT TRIBUNE‌

“Given the present Nitrogen market we will probably sell out in the next month.” Lisa Peterson, regional sales person, Pivot Bio

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CORN 2022

| Tuesday, January 25, 2022

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS NEWS/SUMMIT TRIBUNE

Northern Iowa Agronomists reveal concerns for 2022 corn crop STEVEN THOMPSON

Special to the Press News/ Summit Tribune‌

Two Iowa State University (ISU) Agronomists recently revealed some of their concerns for Northern Iowa’s 2022 corn crop. Terry Basol of Nashua who is ISU Extension Field Agronomist for Region 4, and Matt Schnabel Superintendent for the ISU’s Northern Iowa Research Farm at Kanawha shared some of their insights into some practices corn producers can implement to increase production, and protect their 2022 corn crop. Basol’s Region 4 covers eight counties, that start at the Northern Iowa Border and extends south to Central Iowa. “This last year I saw more Corn Rootworm challenges than in prior years in my region,” said Basol. “Corn Rootworms are becoming resistant to the Bt-trait in corn, particularly where it’s corn on corn. We are seeing some problems even where there is a corn-soybean rotation. Definitely keep an eye out for it,” said Basol. “Some producers have attempted to spray adult beetles, but can be very hard to effectively control the females, because of the sensitive timing needed in applying an insecticide. We caution the use of this practice. Farmers need to be scouting their fields, but there is little that can be done the year the Corn Rootworm is spotted.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO‌ STEVEN THOMPSON, PRESS NEWS AND SUMMIT TRIBUNE‌

When black spots on corn leaves can’t be rubbed off, it’s a sign that Tar Spot Fungus is present. Looking over the drought monitor for his region, which includes Mitchell, Howard, and Floyd Counties, Basol said, “About two thirds of my Northern Iowa area is abnormally dry, a smaller area is even drier. We still need good moisture before we get into the fields to plant.” One of the newest pathogens that Basol is concerned of, is the Tar Spot Fungus that has moved into his region from the East. “We have seen a fair amount of Tar Spot on the East side of the state. It has spread from Illinois through weather events, such as storms

and high winds,” said Basol. The Tar Spot Fungus attaches itself to corn leaves and deceases photosynthesis, which keeps corn kernels from developing as they normally would, and can also cause corn stalk integrity/lodging issues. “Conditions favorable to the disease are temps of 60 to 70 degrees, over 75 percent humidity, and moisture staying on corn leaves for more than seven hours,” said Basol. “We have seen losses of up to 50 bushel to the acre or more for severe infestations.” To curb the fungus Basol suggests, “Applying fungicide from

“Farmers need to be scouting their fields, but there is little that can be done the year the Corn Rootworm is spotted.” Terry Basol, ISU Extension Field Agronomist for Iowa’s Region 4 the V-2 to R-2 growth stages of the corn plant is the most widely used protection against the disease. If the disease shows up early you might have to apply fungicide earlier. Applying fungicides at the right time is essential. These fungicides can be applied by air or by a ground rig. There is an app called Tar Spotter that helps to determine the timing of application. Crop rotations will help to decrease the inoculums in the field.” “Producers need to be scouting

their corn fields weekly and maybe every three days if weather condition are favorable for the fungus. The way for a producer to detect the disease is to rub one’s finger over black spots on the corn leaf. If the raised black spots won’t rub off, it is a good sign the Tar Spot Fungus is on the plant. Farmers should then check with local agronomist to confirm if the disease is present.” Please see CONCERNS, Page B5

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CORN 2022

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS NEWS/SUMMIT TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 25, 2022 |

“At our farm during the 2021 growing season there was little corn disease, or insect problems.” Matt Schnabel, superintendent, ISU Northern Iowa Research Farm

Concerns From B4

“In our area we had a dry summer, so when we got late rains it help the disease to develop, but our corn had matured enough so the fungus had little effect on local yields,” said Basol. Matt Schnabel of the Northern Research farm at Kanawha said, “To our knowledge we haven’t seen Tar Spot here on the farm.” He recognizes the disease is slowly working its way from Eastern Iowa to Western Iowa, and the fungus has been spotted to some degree in all of Iowa’s 99 counties. Schnabel shared some of the research farm’s findings for the 2021 crop year. “Since 1952 the farm has been researching crop rotations using the various crops of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and oats. We have been using various units of nitrogen (80, 160, 240 units of

STEVEN THOMPSON PHOTOS, PRESS NEWS AND SUMMIT TRIBUNE‌

Alison Robertson ISU Extension Specialist in Plant Pathology and Microbiology speaks at 2019 ISU Northern Iowa Research Farm Field Day Nitrogen per acre). Typically we find that crop rotations produce the highest yields, while using the same units of nitrogen. Our decades of research have shown the more diverse the crop rotation, the lower input costs,” said Schnabel. “At our farm during the 2021 growing season there was little corn disease, or insect problems.” He also stated that ongoing research using nitrogen and sulfur, shows that sulfur applied as gypsum had a positive effect on corn yields. Researchers on the farm have

been turning their attention to the effect that cover crops can have on corn production. “In 2021 we experimented with inter-seeding (drilling) cover crops between corn rows in June, when the corn plants were at the V-5 and V-8 stages. We did this so there would be more cover crop growth before winter,” said Schnabel. “It wasn’t a heavy seeding, and we used more shade tolerant species of cover crops for the research. One of the important results we found was there was no evidence of yield differential between where there

was no cover crop.” The farm is also beginning to do trials on harvesting timing, which is becoming a more popular conversation amongst corn producers. The research centers around, whether there is an advantage to combining corn earlier with higher moisture content, or to allow corn to dry down in the field. The research considered both ears dropped, and lodging of stalks when corn was left to dry in the field. “We did trails harvesting corn at different moisture levels to find if harvesting earlier is better

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and more profitable.” said Schnabel. The hard data for this and other trials will not be revealed until March 3, 2022 when the Northern Iowa Research Association has their annual meeting at the Duncan Community Center in Duncan. Schnabel said plans for their new purposed building on the research farm will also be discussed at that time. Both Basol and Schnabel encourage corn producers to diligently scout their fields throughout the 2022 growing season.

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CORN 2022

| Tuesday, January 25, 2022

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS NEWS/SUMMIT TRIBUNE

Just a few of the more than 4,000 products that are made with corn or corn products.

NCGA president sees challenges and opportunities for 2022 STEVEN THOMPSON

Special to the Press News/ Summit Tribune‌

“Our duties and responsibilities are to represent corn growers both in Washington DC, and in rural America,” said Chris Edgington, current President of the 39,000 member National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Edgington, who also partners in a rowcrop operation with his son, and brother northwest of St Ansgar, has been busy since assuming his Presidency on October 1, 2021. “John Linder of Ohio, who is

current Chairman of the Corn Growers, Tom Haag of Minnesota, who is First Vice-President, and I went to Washington DC in DecemEdgington ber. We met with elected officials, and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to discuss both policy and promotion of both corn and corn products,” said Edgington. “We produce more corn than we can use in the US, so we need good

trade deals. Trade is vital to corn farmers and we have some good free trade agreements, but we could always use more. Last year China bought more corn from us than any other nation, but most of the time Mexico is out biggest and best market.” “The Ethanol Industry and livestock feeders are still our number one customers, and we are able to meet both of those industries’ needs. Those industries were discussed in Washington DC as well.” “The National Corn Growers are always looking for new uses

STEVEN THOMPSON PHOTOS, PRESS NEWS AND SUMMIT TRIBUNE‌

Duane Wagner Loads corn at the Osage Coop Elevator. for corn. Corn is currently used in more than 4,000 products, and our goal is to get to 5,000 products. Research funding and outreach is a continual process for our organization.” Speaking on the organization’s environmental policies Edgington

said, “Our organization is spending a lot of time and resources working on sustainability. We want to improve efficiency, water and soil quality, and develop better use of nutrients. Phosphorous Please see NCGA, Page B7

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CORN 2022

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS NEWS/SUMMIT TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 25, 2022 |

FINANCES

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The need for financial assistance is a reality for farmers, whether you are just starting out or trying to weather the difficulties of a bad season or an economic downturn. The Farm Service Agency, a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ensures access to loans on reasonable terms so that farms and ranches can be maintained. There are also specially formulated pandemic-related relief plans. Here’s how to get help:

Requesting a loan

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NCGA From B6

and Potassium fertilizers don’t move much, but Nitrogen moves with big rains. Corn is a great utilizer of Carbon.” Edgington’s duties will take him to New Orleans in March where he will meet with corn producer delegates from across the nation. “We will meet with all the state delegations to discuss both policy and programs for 2022 and 2023,” said Edgington. “Some of the major decisions the organization makes is where and how to use

Your local ag department can are part of the management and provide a referral. labor teams. Outside workers are allowed, including paid consulTypes of FSA loans tants, but the primary decision There are several different op- maker for the operation must be tions, depending on need. Oper- a part of your family. Applicants ational loans are designed to help have to be American citizens with when every-day issues arise, like a good credit history, and must a piece of large equipment failing not be delinquent on any form of during the busy season. They’re federal debt. directed at every-day expenses meant to keep the operation go- Other forms of assistance ing. Other eligible items can inThe pandemic has wreaked clude things like seeds and fertil- havoc on multiple elements izer. Microloans are tailored to the of the food supply chain, even specific size of each farm or ranch. shutting down USDA programs Ownership loans, on the other meant to support American hand, are larger programs meant farmers and ranchers. But asto help open doors for those en- sistance is coming back online. tering into farming. Some of these programs are general in nature, like the CoronaFSA qualifying terms virus Food Assistance Program, The Farm Service Agency re- but most are directed at specific quires that your business operates areas of the industry — includas a family farm, as determined ing the Pandemic Livestock Inby how many family members demnity Program. Ongoing aid is

being provided by programs like the USDA’s Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program, which will assist dairy farmers who experienced losses due to pandemic-related market fluctuations. Other forms of as-

sistance are meant to spur new ideas: The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, for instance, funds innovative projects that open up new market opportunities for American food and ag products.

Small grains have a place in feeding livestock, but we don’t change hog or chicken rations much,” said Edgington. Speaking on Ethanol he stated, “EPA’s RVO ruling was a mixed bag. They declined 65 small refinery exemptions, but lowered the 15 billion gallon Ethanol obligation for the 20-21 calendar year.” The exemptions would have allowed those small refineries the right to not blend Ethanol with their petroleum based fuels, which would have lowered Ethanol needs in the US. Edgington also addressed the final numbers for the 2021 crop

year which could have a direct impact on US corn carryover and on markets. “The final numbers that come out in January will be good, and we won’t have a corn shortage,” said Edgington who wonders if USDA’s earlier predictions of a record US corn yield will still stay in place when the report comes out. “Last year was a good crop nationwide, but in Western Illinois there were some fields down 50 to 60 bushels an acre because of Tar Spot Fungus. There were also areas of extreme drought in the Dakota’s,” said Edgington. Speaking on some the bigger

challenges for the 2022 crop year Edgington stated, “ISU says they have spotted the fungus Tarspot in every Iowa County last year. Spring fertilizer needs will also be a challenge, with current shortages being reported. Specialist say we will plant about the same number of acres of corn as we did last year, but we won’t know the actual numbers of acres shifting for 2022 until in April when we plant the seed.” “There are always going to be challenges for the corn producer, input costs, markets, regulations, but the biggest wild card of all is the weather,” added Edgington.

the checkoff funding. Currently 300,000 corn producers contribute to the funding when they sell their grain. Each state has its own checkoff policy, and some states make it mandatory, where Iowa’s checkoff is a one cent per bushel voluntary policy.” Edgington also discussed some of the common topics that corn producer face today. Because corn prices have rallied over a dollar and a half per bushel over the past couple of years some are wondering if livestock producers will substitute small grains for corn in their livestock rations. “There has always been feed grade wheat.

Absolute Energy, producer of dried distiller grains, corn oil, and ethanol, proudly supports our local corn producers. Sell your corn to Absolute Energy, your locally owned ethanol plant. We’re your neighbors. Next time you fill up, make the clean choice. Choose Ethanol.

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CORN 2022

| Tuesday, January 25, 2022

MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS NEWS/SUMMIT TRIBUNE

OUTLOOK | PRICES

2022 CROP PROJECTIONS GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

hile the American recovery as a whole is on a redhot upward trend, with economic growth not seen since 1984, farming is a different story. Corn, wheat, soybeans and cotton — the country’s mostplanted crops — are all projected to decline as pandemic-suppressed production finally begins catching up with demand. These lowered expectations don’t take into account fixed costs, a huge part of every farm’s bottom line, since they vary so much from operation to operation. U.S. farmers are expected to reduce the amount of planted corn, while expanding acreage for wheat and soybeans, according to a November 2021 report from the USDA. They forecast some 92 million acres of planted corn, down from 93.3 in 2021. Meanwhile, soybean acreage is expected to rise from 87.2 to 87.5 million. Wheat planting are forecast to increase from 46.7 to 49 million acres in 2022. Here’s why: Global food prices are at a 10-year high, led by increases in cereals, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization — so wheat is more profitable. Meanwhile, corn requires more fertilizer than soybeans, and there has been a recent surge in fertilizer costs. This news impacts both the local and U.S. economy, but also the rest of the world: America is the No. 1 global corn supplier, the second largest soybean exporter behind Brazil and among the leading exporters of wheat. Prices are on a general downward trend, as supply begins to meets post-quarantine demand: Corn is expected to fall by 64 cents from 2021, wheat by 20 cents a bushel, cotton by 10 cents a pound and soybeans by

Corn is expected to fall by 64 cents from 2021, wheat by 20 cents a bushel, cotton by 10 cents a pound and soybeans by $1.85 a bushel, according to the USDA. $1.85 a bushel, according to the USDA. Prices for beef cattle were expected to rise initially, then to decline below levels seen in 2020. Turkey and hog prices

should begin lower, and then eventually begin to slowly climb. Despite a smaller amount of acreage, corn production was still projected at an historic 15.24 billion bushels; the record of

15.148 was set in 2017. Soybeans were also expected to reach a record 4.465 billion bushels in 2022, the USDA said. The fertilizer issue relates to soaring prices for natural gas,

and could lower crop yields in 2022. Farmers might reduce their application rates, or switch to crops like soybeans that have lower production costs than corn.

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