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News from the Minnesota Association of Wheat |
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MARKET OBSERVATIONS Crop Conditions This is the smallest area for grain since 1972. Planted area is slightly above the previous estimate, but still down fractionally from 1999. Spring wheat acreage
planted for 2000 harvest is estimated at 15.5 million acres, 1 percent above the 1999 total. Grain area is expected to total 15.1 million acres, up 2 percent from last year. The large acreage decline in
Montana was more than offset by an unexpectedly large increase of 1.1 million acres in North Dakota. The Montana decrease is due primarily to dry spring conditions, while North Dakota is returning to a more
"normal" acreage level. With spring wheat acres up in the Dakotas, durum acres could be expected to be reduced. However, durum planted area for 2000 harvest is estimated at 4.05 million acres, up slightly from
last year. The total area harvested for durum is expected to total 3.99 million acres, 12 percent above last year's level. In the coming weeks, rain and disease will be critical factors affecting the crop's overall
condition. In particular, some lower test weight SRW hasb been reported in Illinois. Additionally, North Dakota has experienced a historically wet June which could stimulate development of disease problems.
Market Highlights Careful attention will need to be given to several areas in the coming weeks. China continues to have a less than ideal production outlook with predictions from
the trade ranging from 95 to 104 MMT. The final outlook of the Chinese crop could have huge effect on total supply and price in the world markets. Russia's crop is predicted to have problems with a 6 to 8 MMT deficit.
There is a possibility of a U.S. government program for Russia with credit being the likeliest option. The final size of the large EU crop continues to be of concern as some in the grain trade are beginning to
reduce the record 106 MMT prediction. The size of the crop will affect the level of US imports, especially in the vital North Africa region. North Africa continues to be a concern as drought-induced production problems
are widespread. Specifically, Egypt's import pace is expected to accelerate to cover wheat needs as the world situation tightens. In a significant market movement, Egypt bought over 300 TMT of U.S. wheat in this last
week alone. U.S. Wheat Associates is the industry's export market development organization, representing wheat producers in 19 states.
FRENCH WHEAT HARVEST BEGINS EARLY WITH EXPECTATIONS OF A BETTER CROP
USDA ISSUED QUARTERLY ACREAGE & STOCKS REPORT
SOIL SAMPLING FROM THREE AREAS CAN AID CROP PROBLEM DETECTIVE WORK "Soil sample collection for detective work involves a different process
than routine sample collection," says Rehm. "A single sample from the problem field will usually not provide an answer." If checking for nutrient deficiencies as a possible cause of the crop problem,
collect three samples, says Rehm. If nutrient deficiencies are responsible, crop growth or stunted growth will not be uniform across the field. Instead, growth will range from good to poor. "For these situations,
collect one sample from an area where the crop is growing well," says Rehm. "The second sample should come from an area where the stunting or abnormal growth is most severe. The third sample should come from
an area where the symptoms are just starting to appear. This marginal stunting or poor growth usually shows up in areas next to the portion of the field where the stunting is most severe." Rehm says an evaluation
of the combined results of the analysis of each sample can often identify the cause of a problem-if a nutrient deficiency is the cause. Soil sampling will not be helpful if the poor growth is due to plant diseases,
pests, or incorrect herbicide application. Rehm says soil sampling depth for crop growth analysis should be the same as for fertilizer recommendations. If problems with immobile nutrients are suspected, this is 0-8
inches. If a problem with a mobile nutrient such as nitrogen is suspected, collection of deep samples may be necessary. Rehm says one approach is to collect soil from depths of 0-6, 6-12, 12-24, and 24-36 inches.
Collect several cores from each of the three areas. "There is no guarantee that this sampling strategy will identify the problem," notes Rehm. "However, this process will provide much more information
than analysis of a single sample that is supposed to represent the entire field." Source: George Rehm, (612) 625-6210 CANADA AG NEWS:
SURVEY SHOWS LESS WHEAT, CANOLA |
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