Growmark Celebrates National Co-Op Month

Rural roots run deep here in the heart of Illinois for companies like Growmark, FS and other agriculture-based cooperatives – it is through cooperative enterprise and the contributions cooperatives make to social and economic development of their comunitiesand members that the future of Illinois agriculture looks very promising.  

President and Chairman of the Board Dan Kelley recently visited with AgriBusinessDirector DeAnnaThomas during the Noon Show about how Growmarkis embracing this year’s theme for Co-Op month – “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World.”  From agriculture mission trips to China, Vietnam, Canada and even Ghana - Growmarkhas been able to educate their members about international demand, how Growmarkmembers can and will contribute to that increasing demand and how we can share our agricultural practices with fellow farmers abroad…

“Illinois Farm Bureau Action Alert!”

How does the pending Free Trade Agreements affect those of us involved in the agriculture industry here in central Illinois? Illinois Farm Bureau Director of National Legislation and Policy Development Adam Nielsen visited with AgriBusiness Director DeAnna Thomas on how and why we should all support the pending Free Trade Agreements and Trade Adjustment Assistance…

“Illinois Beef Association Update”

From the pending Free Trade Agreements to dust regulations to the 2012 Illinois Beef Association scholarship and internship programs - AgriBusiness Director DeAnna Thomas had the opportunity to sit down with IBA Communication’s Director Eric Johnson and talk about IBA’s current issues and activities. Not a beef producer? That is okay – Eric’s information applies to everyone involved within the agriculture industry…

“World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Reported”

This month’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report was released Tuesday. All estimated are based on current numbers. The first survey-based 2011 production forecasts will be reported by the National Agricultural Statistics Service on August 11.

WHEAT:

U.S. wheat supplies for 2011/12 are raised 90 million bushels as higher carry-in and production more than offset reductions in imports and higher use. Beginning stocks are raised 52 million bushels mostly reflecting higher estimated carryout. Production for 2011/12 is forecast at 2,106 million bushels, up 48 million from last month as higher winter wheat production and higher forecast yields for durum and other spring wheat more than offset lower area estimates. Partly offsetting is a 10-millionbushel reduction in projected imports with lower expected supplies in Canada.

U.S. wheat usage for 2011/12 is raised with a shift in expected seed usage from 2010/11 and higher expected exports compared with last month. Seed use for 2011/12 is raised 7 million bushels as late planting in the Northern Plains shifted seed usage for the 2011 crop into the 2011/12 marketing year. Exports are raised 100 million bushels with larger domestic supplies and reduced competition expected from Canada. Ending stocks are projected 17 million bushels lower at 670 million. Durum stocks are projected to be especially tight. The 2011/12 season-average farm price for all wheat is lowered 40 cents on each end of the projected range to $6.60 to $8.00 per bushel, mostly reflecting the sharp drop in projected corn prices this month.

Global wheat supplies for 2011/12 are projected 0.9 million tons higher as larger beginning stocks more than offset lower expected world production. Larger carryin in the United States and Russia accounts for most of the increase.

World wheat production for 2011/12 is projected down 1.9 million tons. Canada production is lowered 3.5 million tons as persistent heavy rains and flooding well into the second half of June limited planting opportunities for spring wheat in southeast Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba. Production is lowered 0.4 million tons for Mexico based on the latest official reports. Global wheat exports for 2011/12 are projected 2.4 million tons higher. Global wheat consumption is raised 3.0 million tons.

COARSE GRAINS:

U.S. feed grain supplies for 2011/12 are projected higher this month mostly with higher expected beginning stocks and production for corn. Corn beginning stocks are raised 150 million bushels reflecting changes to 2010/11 usage projections. Corn production for 2011/12 is projected 270 million bushels higher based on planted and harvested area as reported in the Acreage report. Feed and residual use for 2011/12 is raised 50 million bushels with larger supplies and lower expected prices. Corn use for ethanol is raised 100 million bushels with larger supplies and an improved outlook for ethanol producer margins. Exports are raised 100 million bushels. Ending stocks are projected 175 million bushels higher at 870 million. The 2011/12 season-average farm price for corn is projected at a record $5.50 to $6.50 per bushel, down 50 cents on both ends of the range. Domestic use is projected lower for sorghum and oats, and sorghum exports are lowered. Projected farm prices are lowered for sorghum, barley, and oats.

Total U.S. corn use for 2010/11 is projected 145 million bushels lower mostly reflecting the larger-than expected June 1 stocks estimate. Feed and residual use is lowered 150 million bushels. Ethanol use is raised 50 million bushels with larger supplies and improved ethanol producer margins. Partly offsetting is a 20-million-bushel reduction in use for sweeteners reflecting slower demand from Mexico. Corn exports are lowered 25 million bushels based on the slower-than-expected pace of shipments in recent weeks. Imports are raised 5 million bushels with continued strong shipments from Canada.

Ending stocks for 2010/11 are raised 150 million bushels to 880 million. The season-average farm price is projected at $5.15 to $5.35 per bushel compared with $5.20 to $5.50 last month. Global coarse grain supplies for 2011/12 are projected 10.3 million tons higher mostly on higher corn beginning stocks and production in the United States.

Foreign coarse grain beginning stocks changes are mostly offsetting with corn carryin lowered 0.5 million tons for Canada and barley carryin raised 0.2 million tons and 0.3 million tons, respectively, for Argentina and Australia. Corn production is lowered 0.5 million tons for Mexico and 0.2 million tons for Canada. World barley production is raised 1.3 million tons.

Global corn trade for 2011/12 is raised with higher imports for China. China corn imports are raised 1.5 million tons to 2.0 million reflecting the recently announced sale to China and favorable pricing opportunities for U.S. corn into southern China where growing demand is reducing stocks. Corn exports are lowered 0.5 million tons for Canada, partly offsetting the U.S. increase. Global corn consumption is raised 5.9 million tons.

RICE:

U.S. rice supplies in 2011/12 are lowered 6 percent to 256.6 million cwt as beginning stocks and production are reduced 6.0 million and 12.5 million, respectively. These reductions are partially offset by a 1.0 million cwt increase in imports to 19.0 million. Ending stocks for 2010/11 are lowered 6.0 million cwt as 2010/11 domestic and residual use is raised based on the Rice Stocks report showing stocks as of June 1, which indicated lower-than-expected stocks and implied higher 2010/11 annual usage than previously estimated. Rice production in 2011/12 is lowered 6 percent to 187.0 million cwt due entirely to a reduction in acreage. Harvested area for 2011/12 is lowered 185,000 acres to 2.65 million. The average all rice yield is raised slightly to 7,059 pounds per acre. Area in 2011/12 is the lowest since 1987/88, and the crop size would be the lowest since 1997/98.

Total use for 2011/12 is lowered 5.0 million cwt to 227.0 million as exports are lowered 6.0 million (all in long-grain rice) to 100.0 million, partially offset by a 1.0 million increase in domestic and residual use.

Rough rice and combined milled and brown rice exports (rough-equivalent basis) are each reduced 3.0 million cwt to 36.0 million and 64 million, respectively. Tighter supplies in 2011/12 along with plentiful supplies among the major exporters will likely limit U.S. exports. Ending stocks for 2011/12 are projected at 29.6 million cwt, down 12.5 million, or 30 percent from a month ago, and 21.0 million, or 42 percent below 2010/11.

The 2011/12 long-grain rice U.S. season-average farm price is projected at $12.00 to $13.00 per cwt, up 70 cents per cwt on each end of the range from last month compared to $11.10 per cwt for 2010/11. The combined medium- and short-grain price is projected at $16.00 to $17.00 per cwt, up $1.00 per cwt from a month ago compared to $17.00 per cwt for 2010/11. The 2011/12 all rice price is projected at $13.20 to $14.20 per cwt, up $1.00 per cwt on each end of the range.

Global 2011/12 rice production and trade are little changed from last month, while consumption is lowered and ending stocks are raised. Global production is projected at a record 456.3 million tons, down fractionally. Global exports in 2011/12 are lowered slightly due mostly to an expected decline in U.S. exports. Global consumption in 2011/12 is lowered 1.7 million tons and world ending stocks are projected at 96.3 million tons, up 1.4 million from last month, and nearly the same as the previous year.

OILSEEDS:

U.S. oilseed production for 2011/12 is projected at 96.3 million tons, down 2.3 million tons from last month, with lower soybean production accounting for most of the change. Soybean production is projected at 3.225 billion bushels, down 60 million due to reduced harvested area.

Harvested area, estimated at 74.3 million acres in the June 30 Acreage report, is 1.4 million below the June projection. The soybean yield is projected at 43.4 bushels per acre, unchanged from last month. Soybean supplies are 40 million bushels below last month’s forecast as higher beginning stocks partly offset lower production. Exports for 2011/12 are reduced 25 million bushels to 1.495 billion reflecting lower U.S. supplies and reduced global imports. U.S. soybean ending stocks are projected at 175 million bushels, down 15 million.

U.S. soybean exports for 2010/11 are projected at 1.52 billion bushels, down 20 million from last month. Soybean ending stocks are projected at 200 million bushels, up 20 million.

The 2011/12 U.S. season-average soybean price is projected at a record $12.00 to $14.00 per bushel, down $1.00 on both ends of the range. Soybean meal prices are projected at $345 to $375 per short ton, down $30 on both ends of the range. Soybean oil prices are projected at 54 to 58 cents per pound, down 4 cents on both ends of the range.

Global oilseed production for 2011/12 is projected at 455.5 million tons, down 1.4 million from last month. Lower soybean, peanut, and rapeseed production estimates are only partly offset by increases for sunflower seed. Global soybean production is projected at 261.5 million tons, down 1.3 million. Rapeseed production is reduced for Canada due to lower harvested area. Much of the intended area in southeast Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba did not get planted due to excessive moisture through late June. As a result, the Canada rapeseed crop is projected at 12.6 million tons, down 0.4 million from last month. Also, peanut production in the United States is higher.

SUGAR:

Projected U.S. sugar supply for fiscal year 2011/12 is increased 218,000 short tons, raw value, from last month. Higher imports from Mexico more than offset lower beginning stocks. Total 2011/12 U.S. sugar use is unchanged.

For Mexico, 2010/11 ending stocks are increased 102,000 metric tons, raw value, with lower production more than offset by reduced domestic use and exports. The larger beginning stocks and decreases in domestic use and ending stocks result in  higher exports of 258,000 tons. The decrease in 2011/12 domestic use is in line with weaker demand for total sweeteners in Mexico.

LIVESTOCK, POULTRY, AND DAIRY:

The forecast for 2011 total meat production is lowered from last month as lower beef production more than offsets higher expected pork and turkey production.

Beef production is lowered as steer and heifer slaughter in the second quarter was lower than expected although more cows were slaughtered. In addition, recent placements of lighter-weight cattle are expected to moderate carcass weight growth during the year. The 2011 pork production forecast is raised on larger fourth-quarter slaughter. Broiler production for 2011 is unchanged as higher second quarter production is offset by lower forecast production in the fourth quarter. Turkey production is raised largely on higher second-quarter production. No change is made to table egg production but hatching egg production is lowered due to a stronger forecast decline in last-quarter broiler production.

For 2012, meat production forecasts are reduced as a sharper reduction in the broiler production forecast more than offsets higher pork and turkey production. Larger cutbacks in broiler production are expected to carry into 2012 before production increases gradually later in the year. The pork production forecast is raised slightly, driven primarily by gains in pigs per litter. Despite higher forecast hog prices, producers are expected to remain cautious in expanding farrowings. Egg production forecasts for 2012 are reduced on less demand for hatching eggs.

A small increase is made to the export forecast for beef in 2011 but no changes are made to pork or broiler exports. For 2012, pork exports are raised, but no changes are made to either beef or broilers. No changes are made to beef, pork, or broiler imports for either 2011 or 2012.

Cattle and hog prices are forecast higher for 2011 but forecast broiler prices are lowered as large supplies are pressuring prices. For 2012, cattle price forecasts are unchanged. Hog price forecasts are raised as demand strength carries into 2012, but price gains will be moderated by higher production. Broiler prices are raised slightly as 2012 supplies are forecast to be tighter.

Milk production forecasts for 2011 and 2012 are raised. Cow numbers are forecast higher as higher milk prices and lower forecast feed prices support further herd expansion, but milk per cow is unchanged from last month. Commercial exports on a fat basis are forecast higher for 2011. Ending stock forecasts are raised as cheese stocks are larger than expected.

Dairy product price forecasts for 2011 are raised from last month. The Class III and Class IV price forecasts are raised from last month in line with increased product prices. The all milk price is forecast at $20.00 to $20.30 per cwt for 2011. For 2012, the butter price is forecast slightly higher than last month, but forecasts for other products are unchanged. Class price forecasts are unchanged. The all milk price forecast for 2012 is unchanged at $17.75 to $18.75 per cwt.

COTTON:

The 2011/12 U.S. cotton projections show higher ending stocks relative to last month, despite a sharp reduction in expected production, which is based on unfavorable weather. Beginning stocks are raised 500,000 bales due to continued export sales cancellations and the slow pace of shipments in the final months of 2010/11. The 2011/12 production forecast is reduced 1.0 million bales from last month to 16.0 million, despite larger planted area in the June Acreage report, as abandonment is forecast at a record 30 percent due to historic drought conditions, mainly in Texas.

Domestic mill use is unchanged from last month. Exports are lowered 1.0 million bales to 12.0 million, due both to reduced U.S. supplies and weaker foreign demand. Ending stocks are raised to 3.0 million bales. The forecast stocks-to-use ratio of 19 percent, while above last month’s indication, is still relatively tight. The average price received by producers is now projected at 90 to 110 cents per pound, 5 cents below last month on each end of the range.

The world 2011/12 cotton projections also include higher beginning stocks, lower production, and lower offtake compared with last month. Beginning stocks are raised mainly in the United States and India. The decline in U.S. production is partially offset by an increase for Australia. World consumption is lowered nearly 2 percent from last month, as surplus yarn stocks and substitution of polyester for cotton in textile products are expected to reduce demand below previous expectations. Imports are reduced for several countries as a result of weaker demand growth.

World ending stocks are increased nearly 6 percent to 51 million bales. The projected stocks-to-use ratio of 44 percent reflects recovery from the very tight levels of the two preceding years, but is still the third lowest since 1994/95.

Bureau County Farmer Pursues Maximum Yield in Every Acre

We are continuing our Pursuit of Maximum Yield. This week we’d like to introduce you to Steve Sondegroth. He’s a farmer in Bureau County.  Some of the On-Farm Discovery programs he’s working on this year will include trials with soybeans. 

So far Steve and his crop specialist, Bill Weber, of Ag View FS have applied Cruiser Maxx and Trident innoculants and plan to use Authority, Assist and Glyphosate.  They are considering foliar feeding of micronutrients as well.  Steve is also planning on applying a fungicide and insecticide.  Here is what he had to say about his   It’s apparent Dan will have plenty to talk about this growing season as he looks to maximize every acre.

Listen for our weekly updates as we look to maximize every acre.

This report is brought to you by FS Green Plan Solutions – providing a solutions-based approach for today’s farmers.

Pursuit of Maximum Yield – Week 3

We are continuing our Pursuit of Maximum Yield. This week we’d like to introduce you to Dan Eyer. He’s a farmer in Eastern McLean County.  Some of the On-Farm Discover programs he’s working on this year includes 20-inch rows, higher population, fungicide application, micro-essential nutrients, encapsulated urea and additional ammonium sulfate.  It’s apparent Dan will have plenty to talk about this growing season as he looks to maximize every acre.

Listen for our weekly updates as we look to maximize every acre.

This report is brought to you by FS Green Plan Solutions – providing a solutions-based approach for today’s farmers.

2011 Baconfest Chicago A Smashing Success!

Peace. Love. Bacon.  Those are the t-shirts made available by the Illinois Pork Producers Association at this years Baconfest Chicago.  The $10 donation for each shirt picked up this year resulted in over a $1,600 donation for the Pork Power Program.  Also this year – IPPA pledged to match donations given by attendees pound for pound with pork to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository.  The 1,653 pounds of food and the nearly 850 pounds of pork that will be purchased with the money raised from the t-shirts will result in a protein donation to GCFD of nearly 2,500 pounds. IPPA volunteers reached out to the 2,000 attendees to educate the consumer about the actual process of makin’ bacon.  From the Peace. Love. Bacon t-shirts, coozies and decals to the coupons and note pads, IPPA volunteers managed to have fun and educate the consumer in one big bacon celebration.

Not too bad for a days work.

Make sure to listen – and hear IPPA’s Tim Maiers recite this year’s winning Ode to Bacon.

Home Grown Cow

We talk about Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food.  Finding a niche market.  Organic vs. Production agriculture.  Healthy Eating.  John Aikma from Home Grow Cow is working to pair up farmers with “eaters”.  One of his goals is to enable farmers to be price makers rather than price takers.

We talked to John on Friday to learn more about Home Grown Cow listen to the audio

John Deere Launches FarmSight Technology

(Tampa, FL) –  Agriculture producers around the world face new challenges in providing food, fiber and fuel to a rapidly growing population.  With the increased pressures of that growing population producers need equipment and services to produce more crops and livestock while using fewer inputs and more sustainable practices for the long-term growing of their business.

That being said – John Deere has introduced a comprehensive set of solutions called John Deere FarmSight.  The services will provide an technological solutions in three areas:

  • Machine Optimization
  • Logistics Optimization
  • Ag Decision Support

More information will be available soon on the website:  http://johndeere.com/farmsight.

 

Food, Inc Director Robert Kenner Addresses Ag Media

(Tampa, FL) – As the 2011 Ag Issues Forum wrapped up – it wasn’t without thought provoking sessions.  Food, Inc Director Robert Kenner presented his vision on production agriculture through his Food, Inc. prism.  The audio file is quite large and a little less than an hour – but feel free to listen to his comments, his vision and his direction putting together this documentary.

It was a thought provoking session that allowed us to learn a little bit about the views of the other side.

Enjoy.