A lot of acreage talk this week.
Mar 16, 2012
Chip Flory
From The Editor
March 16, 2012
Hello Pro Farmer Members!
I had several conversations this week about potential corn plantings with a wide range of people... from PF Members to buy-side equity analysts out of New York. There is a flat-out assumption that corn planted acres will reach at least 94.5 million... with really good odds of getting to 95 million this spring. Some guys in Illinois are even getting a head start on it and stuck a few acres in the ground yesterday and today. I've got to believe this goes against their better judgment... probably just a "test" or "experiment" to see what happens. If it works, it should work really great and they'll have some 2012-crop corn to sell into a tight 2011-crop market. If it doesn't work, they'll be replanting.
With record-breaking temperatures across the Corn Belt, it's really tempting to ignore the calendar (and the crop insurance go-date) and to start planting corn. But, there's little doubt we'll have some freezing temps yet this year. I don't think we'll see a "cold snap" in March... the forecasts are in general agreement of above-normal temps through the end of the month. That would probably give the corn being planted now a chance to emerge just in time for an early-April dip into the 20s... or even teens. Well... at least the replant would get done in a timely fashion if that happens!
However, I also heard more and more talk that if corn acres do push close to 95 million this year, there's not going to be much seed available for a replant. It could be that corn planting will be a one-shot deal this year, so making sure conditions are right to give the crop it's best chance is really important.
Another conversation I had this week was with a crop scout that's really concerned about insect pressure on this year's seed. He's doing his groundwork now, but he fully anticipates recommending a seed protection on every seed his clients put in the ground this spring... just something to think about and to have a conversation with your agronomists about.
That's it for this week...
I hope everybody has an enjoyable (and safe!) St. Patrick's Day! I'll be celebrating at another steer show this weekend! (I think my son has caught the bug!!) Oh... and everybody pull for the Iowa State Cyclones to knock off Kentucky on Saturday night! Go Cyclones! CyclONEnation! March Madness!!