Slow pace for 2009 harvest
By
John Grimes-
While daylight hours have been getting shorter for some time, it seems pretty dramatic with the departure of daylight-saving time. I’m sure farmers would like to see longer daylight hours to help make up for harvest delays. At least last week we were able to string together several days of nice weather which allowed most farmers to make some progress with harvest. A definite result of the harvest delays is that it appears Highland and the surrounding counties will have a large reduction in wheat acres planted.
Harvest creeps at slow pace
Wet weather continues to delay field work as the corn harvest lags in key states. Analysts estimate that this year’s harvest is the slowest since 1984. Last week’s USDA Crop Progress report shows harvest activity picking up over the past week in northern states, but remaining well behind normal. The report lists 94 percent of the U.S. corn crop as mature as of Nov. 1, up from 90 percent last week, but behind one year ago, when USDA reported 98 percent mature. The five-year average for the date is 99 percent mature.
Weather conditions have been more favorable lately, but rain is back in the forecast for the week of Nov. 9. A further delay in harvest would raise the possibility for snow-covered crops adding to harvest problems and pushing up futures prices.
“We’re seeing near record slow pace for harvest,” says Marty Foreman, Doane economist. “If we can crank up harvest now, we may stay in the $3.50 per bushel range for corn. If weather problems persist, prices may get back up to the $4.10 to $4.15 per bushel area.” Foreman predicts final harvest figures will not be available until after Jan. 1.
Nationally, 25 percent of the corn crop is harvested, compared with 53 percent one year ago and 71 percent for the five-year average. In many key production states, the week-to-week increase in harvested acreage is in the single digits. Iowa, for example, advanced to 18 percent harvested from 12 percent last week, while Illinois went from 14 percent to 19 percent and Nebraska from 15 percent to 18 percent. Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin all report less than 15 percent of their corn harvested.
Crop condition continues to look good, although declining somewhat, with 67 percent of the national corn crop rated good or excellent, compared with 69 percent last week and 64 percent one year ago. For soybeans, the agency rates 63 percent good or excellent, down from 65 percent a week ago. Soybean harvest also is under way across the country, with 51 percent harvested compared with 85 percent a year ago and 87 percent for the five-year average.
OSU announces 2010
Southern Ohio New
and Small Farm Colleges
Are you a small farm landowner wondering what to do with your acreage? Are you interested in exploring options for land uses but not sure where to turn or how to begin? Are you looking for someplace to get basic farm information? If you or someone you know answered yes to any of these questions, then the OSU Extension Small Farm College program may be just what you are looking for.
OSU Extension is offering a program targeted at the new and small farmer. The Southern Ohio New and Small Farm College is an eight-week program that introduces new and even seasoned farmers to a wide variety of topics. The program will teach participants how to set goals, plan, budget, and where to find resources available for them if they chose to start a small farming operation. The courses will layout how to manage financial and farm records. Extension Educators will illustrate over 15 different enterprises that can be profitable on land as small as one acre. To round out the experience, a bus tour will be held around area farms so that participants can see first hand how small farm life works, and also make contacts of practicing farmers in the area.
Increased clientele requests from new and small farm owners indicate a need for a comprehensive farm ownership and management program. The Southern Ohio New and Small Farm College was developed for this growing audience of landowners wanting to make the most of living on a small farm. Since 2005, past regional New and Small Farm Colleges have helped 357 individuals representing 295 farms from 35 Ohio counties improve the economic development of their small family-owned farms. This program can help small farm landowners and farmers diversify their opportunities into successful new enterprises and new markets.
“Many program participants don’t expect to make a living off the land, but do want to recoup something,” said organizer Tony Nye of OSU Extension in Clinton County. First time farmers want their interaction with their land to be productive. “They like living in the country, getting their hands dirty,” Nye said. “That has been their motivation for buying land.”
The New and Small Farm College will be conducted at two locations this year. The first college will be held at the Fayette County Extension and Agriculture Center, 1415 U.S. 22 SW, Washington Court House on Mondays, beginning Jan. 4. Classes run from 6:30-9 p.m.
The second location will be conducted in Guernsey County at the Mid-East Career Center, Buffalo Campus, 57090 Vocational Road, Senecaville, on Thursdays, beginning Jan. 7.
The cost of the course is $150 per person, $50 for an additional family member. Registrations are now being accepted. Individuals interested in the program may contact Tony Nye at the Clinton County Extension office at 937-382-0901 or e-mail at nye.1@osu.edu.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]
Harvest creeps at slow pace
Wet weather continues to delay field work as the corn harvest lags in key states. Analysts estimate that this year’s harvest is the slowest since 1984. Last week’s USDA Crop Progress report shows harvest activity picking up over the past week in northern states, but remaining well behind normal. The report lists 94 percent of the U.S. corn crop as mature as of Nov. 1, up from 90 percent last week, but behind one year ago, when USDA reported 98 percent mature. The five-year average for the date is 99 percent mature.
Weather conditions have been more favorable lately, but rain is back in the forecast for the week of Nov. 9. A further delay in harvest would raise the possibility for snow-covered crops adding to harvest problems and pushing up futures prices.
“We’re seeing near record slow pace for harvest,” says Marty Foreman, Doane economist. “If we can crank up harvest now, we may stay in the $3.50 per bushel range for corn. If weather problems persist, prices may get back up to the $4.10 to $4.15 per bushel area.” Foreman predicts final harvest figures will not be available until after Jan. 1.
Nationally, 25 percent of the corn crop is harvested, compared with 53 percent one year ago and 71 percent for the five-year average. In many key production states, the week-to-week increase in harvested acreage is in the single digits. Iowa, for example, advanced to 18 percent harvested from 12 percent last week, while Illinois went from 14 percent to 19 percent and Nebraska from 15 percent to 18 percent. Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin all report less than 15 percent of their corn harvested.
Crop condition continues to look good, although declining somewhat, with 67 percent of the national corn crop rated good or excellent, compared with 69 percent last week and 64 percent one year ago. For soybeans, the agency rates 63 percent good or excellent, down from 65 percent a week ago. Soybean harvest also is under way across the country, with 51 percent harvested compared with 85 percent a year ago and 87 percent for the five-year average.
OSU announces 2010
Southern Ohio New
and Small Farm Colleges
Are you a small farm landowner wondering what to do with your acreage? Are you interested in exploring options for land uses but not sure where to turn or how to begin? Are you looking for someplace to get basic farm information? If you or someone you know answered yes to any of these questions, then the OSU Extension Small Farm College program may be just what you are looking for.
OSU Extension is offering a program targeted at the new and small farmer. The Southern Ohio New and Small Farm College is an eight-week program that introduces new and even seasoned farmers to a wide variety of topics. The program will teach participants how to set goals, plan, budget, and where to find resources available for them if they chose to start a small farming operation. The courses will layout how to manage financial and farm records. Extension Educators will illustrate over 15 different enterprises that can be profitable on land as small as one acre. To round out the experience, a bus tour will be held around area farms so that participants can see first hand how small farm life works, and also make contacts of practicing farmers in the area.
Increased clientele requests from new and small farm owners indicate a need for a comprehensive farm ownership and management program. The Southern Ohio New and Small Farm College was developed for this growing audience of landowners wanting to make the most of living on a small farm. Since 2005, past regional New and Small Farm Colleges have helped 357 individuals representing 295 farms from 35 Ohio counties improve the economic development of their small family-owned farms. This program can help small farm landowners and farmers diversify their opportunities into successful new enterprises and new markets.
“Many program participants don’t expect to make a living off the land, but do want to recoup something,” said organizer Tony Nye of OSU Extension in Clinton County. First time farmers want their interaction with their land to be productive. “They like living in the country, getting their hands dirty,” Nye said. “That has been their motivation for buying land.”
The New and Small Farm College will be conducted at two locations this year. The first college will be held at the Fayette County Extension and Agriculture Center, 1415 U.S. 22 SW, Washington Court House on Mondays, beginning Jan. 4. Classes run from 6:30-9 p.m.
The second location will be conducted in Guernsey County at the Mid-East Career Center, Buffalo Campus, 57090 Vocational Road, Senecaville, on Thursdays, beginning Jan. 7.
The cost of the course is $150 per person, $50 for an additional family member. Registrations are now being accepted. Individuals interested in the program may contact Tony Nye at the Clinton County Extension office at 937-382-0901 or e-mail at nye.1@osu.edu.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]