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Grain

Harvesting and Handling Moldy Corn

November 10, 2020

Harvesting, Sampling, and Testing: This year, slow grain dry-down, delayed harvest, and late-season rainfall have led to fairly high levels of one or more ear rots (Gibberella, Fusarium, Diplodia and Trichoderma) in some corn fields. Of these, Gibberella ear rot (GER) has been the most frequently reported and is the ear rot of greatest concerns […]

China’s Corn Imports Estimated to Hit 22 Million Metric Tons, USDA- FAS

November 10, 2020

A report earlier this month from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), “China’s Corn Imports Estimated to Hit 22 Million Metric Tons,” stated that, “The forecast for China’s corn imports for MY 2020/2021 is increased from 7 MMT to 22 MMT. The jump is attributed to depleted stocks to meet current demand. Continually rising domestic corn prices will […]

As Importer’s Need for Corn and Soybeans Seen Rising, Few Countries Currently Competing with U.S. for Export Demand

November 4, 2020

Bloomberg News reported last week that, “China’s corn imports could more than double to 17 million tons in 2020-2021 from a year earlier on prospects for a smaller domestic harvest and a recovery in demand for hog feed, according to the head of the logistics information department at COFCO Trading Co. “The increase in imports would also be to meet commitments under the U.S. trade deal, […]

Prevalence of Corn and Soybeans across the Midwest

November 4, 2020

Relative acres of corn and soybeans vary across Illinois. Northern Illinois has more corn than soybeans acres and southern Illinois has more soybean than corn acres (see farmdoc daily, October 13, 2020). We provide more information on corn relative to soybean acres across the Midwest in this article. As acreages shift across the nation, this will serve […]

For Safety’s Sake, Don’t Take Drying Shortcuts with Stored Corn

October 29, 2020

Wet weather conditions are causing concerns with the 2020 corn crop going into storage. Proper management of stored grain will be the key to eliminating risks to human health and safety later in the season. Grain that goes into the bin with higher moisture content presents a host of possible issues. It can freeze or […]

Revised 2021 Crop Budgets Lead to Higher 2021 Return Projections

October 29, 2020

The 2021 Crop Budgets have been revised from the original August release. Corn and soybean prices have been increased in revised budgets, leading to higher corn and soybean return projections for 2021. In most years, soybeans have been more profitable than corn since 2012. In 2021, soybeans again are projected to be more profitable than […]

Prevented Plant at Historic Highs Again in 2020

October 28, 2020

In March, the USDA’s Prospective Planting report initially sized up 2020 acreage at 97.0 million for corn and 83.5 million for soybeans. The June acreage report walked corn acreage back considerably, and most recently, the October WASDE has pegged 2020 planted acreage at 91.0 million for corn and 83.1 million for soybeans. How did this happen? In the shuffle […]

China Has Purchased 71% of Its Phase One Target and Could Issue More Corn Import Permits

October 27, 2020

A news release from USDA on Friday stated that, “The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and [USDA] today issued a report highlighting the progress made to date in implementing the agricultural provisions in the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement, which is delivering historic results for American agriculture. “Since the Agreement entered into force, the United States and China […]

Federal Reserve: Observations on the Ag Economy- October 2020

October 22, 2020

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve Board released its October 2020 Beige Book update, a summary of commentary on current economic conditions by Federal Reserve District. The report included several observations pertaining to the U.S. agricultural economy. * Sixth District- Atlanta– “Agricultural conditions remained weak. While drought- free conditions prevailed in most parts of the District, some producers reported crop and […]

FAS Report: Corn Ethanol Production Booms in Brazil

October 20, 2020

A report earlier this month from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Corn Ethanol Production Booms in Brazil, stated that, “Plentiful, and generally cheap, corn supplies in Brazil’s Center-West region have enticed investment in the corn ethanol sector over the last few years. There are currently 16 corn ethanol plants in the Center- West states of Mato Grosso, Goias, and Mato […]