Nebraska Planting Progress 2017

Nebraska Corn Planting Progress

 

It’s early, but Nebraska farmers have moved the planters into the field for the 2017 growing season. According to the USDA/NASS (National Agricultural Statistics Service) weekly report, ending Sunday, April 16th, 3 percent of Nebraska’s corn was in the ground, behind last year’s 6 percent, but consistent with the 5 year average.

Nationally, of the top 18 states producing corn, corn planted stood at just 6 percent planted—6 percentage points behind last year’s 12 percent corn planted by 4/16, and 3 percentage points behind the 9 percent 5 year average.

For other crops, Nebraska’s winter wheat condition is rating favorably, with 7 percent of the crop jointed, well behind last year’s 17 percent and behind the 13 percent 5 year average. Seven percent rated in excellent condition, 46 percent good, 38 percent fair, 8 percent poor, and 1 percent very poor.

Nebraska farmers have planted 70 percent of their oats, just ahead of last year’s 68 percent and the 66 percent five year average. Twenty-six percent has emerged, ahead of 20 percent last year and near the 22 percent 5 year average.

As of 4/20, corn and soybeans were trading higher overnight following last week’s lows. Analysts suspect that the optimism may be the result of bargain hunters seeking contracts on the sense that prices are too low, as well as the forecasted rains for the southern plains and delta areas, which could further slow planting progress. Showers are expected across a large swath of the corn- and bean-planting states, further saturating already-wet soils.

In this vein, along with heightened precipitation chances across corn-planting areas, temperatures are expected to remain cooler than normal, further limiting drying potential.

While this may delay planting overall, it may assuage continued low grain prices.

We’ll continue to monitor the planting progress to keep you informed. Please feel free to contact us with any of your questions or concerns.

UFARM offers a full range of Nebraska land management services, including real estate sales, rural property appraisals, consultations and crop insurance. UFARM has operated in Nebraska since the early 1930’s. If you have questions about yields and productivity on your rented farmland, give the UFARM managers contact us today!

 

Sources consulted: “Corn Planting Starts; Winter Wheat Condition 53% Good to Excellent.” CropWatch.com. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 17 Apr. 2017. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.  Dreibus, Tony. “3 Big Things Today, April 20th.” Agriculture.com. Meredith Agrimedia. 20 Apr. 2017. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.

 

 

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Nebraska Planting Progress and WASDE Report Analysis

Cornfield-with-puddle

Continued rain events have hampered efforts’ in the fields for many farmers in the major planting states so far, although significant gains were made in the last week.

Monday’s USDA Crop Progress Report for the week ending May 8 saw 64 percent of the nation’s corn planted, in comparison with 45 percent last week. This measures up as slightly behind last year’s corn planting at 69 percent, though well ahead of the 5 year average of 50 percent.

In Nebraska, rain delays were especially felt, though Cornhusker State farmers made incredible strides in the last week: As of Sunday, 53 percent of the state’s corn was in the ground, compared to only 26 percent last week at the same time. This is still behind last year’s 71 percent benchmark, and slightly behind the 5 year average of 59 percent.

It’s a similar story both nationally and statewide for soybeans. Overall, 23 percent of soybeans are planted, slightly behind last year’s 26 percent, though well ahead of last week’s 8 percent, and the 5 year average of 16 percent of beans planted.

Nebraska soybeans are 13 percent planted, behind last year’s 21 percent, and the 21 percent 5 year average. In comparison with last week’s 2 percent, however, Nebraska farmers were evidently  able to get into the fields to plant beans at some point.

Overall corn emergence stood at 27 percent, ahead of last year’s 23 percent and ahead of the 17 percent 5 year average. In Nebraska, corn emergence was at 15 percent, in line with the 5 year average, though behind last year’s 24 percent.

Of the 18 states that make up the report, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois made the most progress, and while Indiana leads in the slowest progress category due to continued rain delays. The report found that 6 other states remain behind 5 year averages: Colorado, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, and South Dakota.

The Tuesday, May 10th WASDE Report was expected to be bearish on the grain markets, with estimated corn stocks increasing to 2.3 billion bushels, due to  higher corn acres and trending yields of 168 bushels per acre. New crop soybeans were expected by analysts to be similar to last year’s figure of 440 million bushels. However, that analysis was way off and traders were surprised. The carryover for new-crop bean was 305 million bushels, which caused soybean futures to take off and increase 60 cents a bushel at one time. In addition to the lower carryover,  heavy rainfall in South America and its negative effects on production there continues to be one of the main factors for the more favorable grain markets.

Amid the fluctuating markets, farm economists continue to urge those marketing crops to manage their risk.

“It’s going to be extremely difficult to try to outguess these markets,” according to Mike Mock of The Andersons Grain Group.  

 

Sources consulted: “Analysts: USDA Report Could Bring Out Bears.” AgWeb.com. Farm Journal. 09 May 2016. Web. 10 May 2016. “Crop Progress.” NASS/USDA. USDA. 09 May 2016. Web. 10 May 2016.

 

Nebraska Corn Planting Progress Makes a Big Jump

Planting Progress Nebraska

Spring corn planting is nearing completion across the state and nation, and progress is well ahead when comparing to this time last year. The NASS released its weekly planting progress report, and for the week ending May 10, 2015 reported that corn planting was 75% complete, up from 55% a year ago and ahead of the 57% average. For Nebraska, corn planted was at 76 percent, slightly above last year’s 72 percent, and also above the five-year average of 67 percent.

The report also noted that clear, dry conditions at the end April allowed for fieldwork to continue at a record pace. Rain fell statewide with an inch common in central counties and two or more inches of moisture recorded in many eastern and western areas, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rainfall of six to ten inches was received in portions of the Southeast, resulting in lowland flooding and soil erosion. Replanting was expected. Up to two feet of snow fell in portions of the northern Nebraska Panhandle over the weekend, stressing livestock.

In turn, topsoil moisture conditions ticked higher, with moisture supplies rated at 6 percent very short, 17 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were reported at 8 percent very short, 23 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus.

Average temperatures ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the Panhandle to 6 degrees above normal in southeast Nebraska. However, the rain kept soil temperatures cool, which limited fieldwork to a certain extent. Taken as a whole, for Nebraska, the report found 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork from the 4th-10th of May, down from 5.9 days the week prior.

Despite a slower than normal start, farmers in Nebraska made the most of drier conditions at the end of April, which allowed them to get a lot of corn in the ground. The quick planting pace has been reflected in December price contracts. Corn has continued to slide lower during the planting season. Soybean planting is off to a quick start as well.

As usual, it all depends on the weather, and this spring’s planting time is no exception. The weather conditions over the remainder of the planting season will continue to shape the 2015 growing season. If you have questions about field conditions on or around your farmland, please contact a UFARM manager for the latest insights.

UFARM offers a full range of Nebraska land management services, including real estate sales, rural property appraisals, consultations and crop insurance. UFARM has operated in Nebraska since the early 1930’s. Contact us today!

Sources Consulted: “Nebraska Crop Progress and Condition.” National Agricultural Statistics Service. USDA. Web.