Response # followed by comments - 115 total comments
9 Commodity prices and crop input costs (seed, fertilizer, rent) will sway our final decision based on net projected profitability margins available for corn, soybeans, and wheat for next year. the ability to lock in the greatest net profit margin will sway the final decision veryquickly. Anhydrous prices continue to escalate in cost and in my opinion will deter the number of corn acres planted during 2008.
18 At this time, it appears corn has a lot of acres to buy. Beans look too good!!!
20 We don’t have a lot of options except that being a livestock producer we are at risk with the successful or unsuccessful results of graingrowers.
23 I planted more corn this year because I wanted more tax deductions. As it turned out, I will get two deductions; one for imputs and one for short crop.
26 The ethanol BOOM may BUST!
27 Having sold my irrigation land and farming just dryland I will stay with the wheat program as that is all that I can put on this land at this time. I do not plan to re-crop because of the high wheat price. It is just to hard on the land and we do not need to overplant.
30 All 2007 crops turned out to be a disaster here. We had the freeze in april and a severe drought throughout the summer. We destroyed 75% of the wheat crop, therefore we must plant more wheat acres in order to fill last years contracts and the ones we already had made for 2008.
31 There are many factors to deal with for the 2008 year - among them is much higher ground cash rents and the prices/availability of fertilizers plus the much higher prices for it. When one factors in all aspects of the 2008 crop year - it will be interesting to acturally know that we are making more money as the bottom line of profit will not be much different - just dealing in more dollars.
34 Fertilizer Seed prices to high and to much yeild drag to go with extra corn acres again in 2008 Have already priced soybeans for 2008 right off of combine.
36 The developing farm bill is too much of the same. There needs to be even more emphasis on the conservation programs.
41 Production cost over all. We are in an cattle-farming operation with a rotation of corn for silage and all the land into wheat pasture oct-apr and then 50% of all the irr sys into corn each may-aug and back to wheat,cattle stocking@500lb per acre 10\15-5\10. Making it deficult to make a change anytime because of price.
44 I will be watching very closely, the “bidding war” for crop acres and I will base some of my decisions upon the delivered fall 2008 prices. Also, fertilizer prices will play a significant role in which commodities to plant.
47 I STAY WITH 50/50 ROTATION REGARDLESS 51 Always rotate crops as corn on corn does not work out. Beans on beans makes out the possibility the soil wil drift.
52 “Expect” the “unexpected” to result from any major shift in any of the 2008 commodity acres! Large acreage swings by producers often backfire and make for instability in markets. The ethanol rally in corn is a short-term gift that will eventually come back to slap producers upside the head when they will least expect it. The corn acreage shift has already caused tremendous imbalances for other commodities. The future of corn based ethanol will be short lived and the farmer is going take it in the shorts when it is replaced by a more viablealternative. It’s a very naive individual that thinks they can outsmart the commodity markets!!!!!! The best way to keep prices strong is tokeep the market hungry.......not by an “avalanche” of overproduction. You want more commentary? If you do you know where to contact me. Daryl Mickelson (515) 229-2182 mickelsonhamps@prairieinet.net
55 the main concern i have is inputs Fuel Fert & ammonia the new farm bill
61 In west TN there will be a very large increase in wheat acres despite the devastating Easter freeze. The 07 cotton crop is a disaster here. Unless Dec 08 cotton futures rally to eighty cents by next spring, there will be also a large increse in soybean acres.
64 Crop mix will depend upon commodity and fertilizer prices. I do not plan to prepay anhydrous, so if N prices are too high in the spring I will
plant mostly soybeans. I do have both corn and soybeans sold for 2008, however, so I will be planting some of both.
66 Depending on what I can lock in 08 prices I will than look at seed prices,fertilizer prices and land rents.
68 Input costs + Weather
69 Already have anhydrous locked in, the only ground that occasionally changes rotation is a bottom that sometimes gets drowned out and goes to beans, its scheduled for beans next year. We follow a rotation and have not felt inclined to change.
70 Price of fuel and chemicals concern me.
74 will plant 100% corn as usual
76 Corn is too expensive to plant. I am planting more soybeans and winter wheat 77 In 2007, corn on corn was a diaster in this area -- short run “profits” (losses)are not always the best choice!!!!
78 It’s going be interesting.
79 Vegitable prices will have to increase markedly to maintain their market share. We can net $350/acre here with the current forward contract at the local elevator.
82 Input cost will take away all additional income
85 The price of seed and fertilizer along with fuel is a big factor.Also, will the markets off-set to our advantage,or will we be trading dollar fordollar. Setting a budget is almost impossible.
91 high inputs, to much volatility
103 The management of the 2007 crop is a challenge that will shape the decissions of another big crop as much as price. The risk control for ’07 and ’08 crop is a challenge that few can exicute.
118 We seed yellow peas and spring wheat - if fertilizer costs remain too high we will shift more acres to peas as they require little or no fertilizer
125 It is amazing how quickly the break-even price of corn has risen from two dollars to over three dollars.
126 We went a little heavy with corn this year but for our area (roling with 40% pasture} we like the traditional 50/50
127 Expenses and Equipment is making high input costs to growing crops. I will just plant wheat.
130 We’re just trying to survive the higher input costs Fuel, Spray, Repairs, and Fertilizer
136 2008 has already started with wheat plantings -- in this area soils are wet preventing planting on a timely basis. Nationwide, I see lots of wheat being planted which will limit corn and soybean plantings.
137 With input and land costs rising we have to find the most secure yielding crop mix for our farm
141 corn price as compared to fertilzer will be the ultimate decision
142 high fertilizer and seed prices
144 If we (
145 with the price and lower input costs we upped our wheat acres by 1/3. will try to double crop but are pretty far north for that. Everybody says they are switching to beans so we are doing the opposite.
150 With the price of wheat/soybean doublecrop inputs lower than corn,and market price available to book wheat and soybeans for 2008,it`s a no brainer in eastern NC.Corn acreage wil be down in our area,following one of the worst droughts in our history.cash flow will be better with wheat/soybeans.
152 Fertilizer, fertilizer prices and water for irrigation are my big concerns right now.
157 if cotton price goes up as h like I hear we will increase cotton @.
160 I will stay with normal rotation. But it sure needs to rain here in
162 Input prices are making me think more soybean acres
164 2008 cropping acreages will likely be dictated by a combination of input costs / prices (seed, fertilizer, pesticides, etc.) and the respective commodity prices.
167 not planning any major changes as the livestock dictate a certian crop mix
176 It’s beginning to look like the “ethanol boom” may only last a few years. The news media is already starting to turn against ethanol.
182 always base on futures markets
183 Here in NY I would say Competition for land(Cash Rent), and Rising imput Cost. Two Ethanol plants coming
on line in early 08, everyone wants in on the action!!! Could we be setting ourselves up for a big disappointment??
184 Crop inputs will play a huge part in most farmers planting decisions for 2008 and beyond. I think some companies are taking advantage of higher grain prices. Nobody can stand to see farmers get ahead.
197 input expenses 200 I will plant the same rotation I planted in 2007. Trying to out guess the the market is dangerous. We will shoot ourselves in the foot if we swing production to much in one direction.
209 Over planting of wheat
215 grain, fertilizer, seed and chemical prices will be the determining factors in a typical 50/50 rotation.
216 Very concerned about rising imput costs. I am afraid we will be putting out more risk for less margin. Everyone thinks farmers sold their crops on the high and they want their share of the extra, wether it’s there or not.
217 higher land rental costs, stiff competition for land
221 prices and input costs
222 1050 acres alfalfa,160 acres wheat
224 it is all about return.the most bang for the buck
227 will 08 show s PROFIT?
234 Major concerns are that commodity prices MUST stay up to combat the increase cost of corn seed and Fertilizer!
235 I heavily sold soybeans for next year when they went over 950 in the November futures. With a guarantee of 45 bushels on Fed Crop it locks in a huge profit for my operation and with Fertlizer prices out of this world, I throw rotation out the window and look for the easiest way to earn a large profit next year!
237 The high commodity prices are definitely nice. My concern is we may again see $3-4 wheat. With our costs of production skyrocketing, we would be in trouble.
238 Seeded HRW wheat. Forward contracted 25% at $7.00. 8 inch rainfall zone. Limited choices. Beans and corn aren’t choices. It would be nice for top producer to do an article on the PNW and our
242 Most important concerns are the market prices and of course moisture
246 Crop insurance does make a difference
249 The reason I will not formulate my cropping mix until February is the unknown of commodity pricing versus
input costs. At that time I hope to have a better grasp of those concerns.
251 I see no advantage to chasing a market. In our limited rainfall area, having a crop to market is the main concern. Droughts in ’02 and ’06 are too fresh in my mind. Prices of the three commodities grown on our farm
are historically strong. All we have to do is produce them.
254 How the gain in price has affected the price of seed and fretilizer already and teh soaring cost of diesel fuel it is just unheard of that farm fuel cost more than gasoline 255 We will need every kernal of corn we can raise next year.
259 Because of the hog integration to the crop system, I plant two thirds corn and one third soybeans
260 We apply fall NH3 in November, so crop rotations are established at that time. ability to contract $8.50 plus beans for Jan 09 along with NH3 and seed prices are eliminating corn on corn talk.
262 The price of fertilizer and nitrogen for corn is very concerning. I still plan on putting out my typical corn and soybean rotation though, in hopes that everyone else will not put the corn acreage out.
270 High cost of fertilizer could force reduction in corn acres.
279 Also, want to spread out risk w/ more soybeans plus the need for rotation
290 We are optomistic about grain markets, and less optomistic about vegetable markets
291 High wheat price means more wheat seeded and less corn ac. and higher feed cost for cattle and hogs
295 Incomes not keeping up with all expenses.
296 fertilizer and seed prices are very high!!! and farmers almanac is predicting a huge drought in midwest for 08' season.
298 I live and die on whether we get a good snowpack to give us irrigaion water for the coming year
302 This fall, one-third of my farming (all of my leased acres) was bought by a hutterite colony. This came as a complete surprise to me and thus the future of my farming is uncertain.
303 Our desision are made on what we get for the cattle
304 usually we have all our fertilizer put on our next years corn acres this fall - this fall we will moldboard plow aprox. 25% of our heavy black corn ground, and if corn prices take off going into next spring we will plant those fields back to corn
305 FARM BILL, FERTILIZER PRICES, COTTON IS THE ONLY CROP THAT HASN’T HAD THE BENEFIT OF RISING PRICES,AS A NATION WE HAVE LET OUR TEXTILE MFG DWINDLE TO LESS THAN 5 MIL BALES DOMESTIC USE. NOW WE ARE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON WHAT
311 another bad year
316 drought concerns are forcing some difficult decisions, as to when and what and how much
317 We have to grow enough silage to feed 5-600 head of dairy heifers so the crop mix is attuned to that.
319 Planting decisions based on crop rotation.
323 I like the rotation. I have 60 cow/calf and feed all the corn I produce. Soybeans are my cash crop.
326 Higher input costs for corn are a concern. Planning on putting NH3 on this fall instead of liquid in the spring.
338 The biggest item will be high input costs.
340 if input costs are much higher, i will have to decide if we will plant any corn at all.
349 crop input expences
351 Input prices and new-crop futures prices are determining my mix, but maintaining crop rotation also matters. My mix will change, but I won’t go overboard.
353 We use a corn/bean rotation. I figure if I start chasing the market I’ll run when I should have walked.
354 I switched from a 65/35 corn/soybean rotation to a 100% corn program in 2007. I won’t decide any plans for 2008 until I look at which particular hybrids performed well in corn-on-corn, and whether similar hybrids will be available to plant in 2008. If I find the right genetics and can get it delivered, then I may stick with a 100% corn program in 2008. If the right hybrids are not available, or if some hybrids simply weren’t profitable in a corn-on-corn program in 2007, then soybeans will look more appealing. Soybean yields have been very disappointing for several years in a row. It will take a dramatic economic incentive to convince me to plant many soybean acres in 2008. That could mean either an improvement in soybean prices, or a decrease in corn profitability.
361 nothing will be different we are locked into a crop rotation of alfalfa and corn
364 my bigest concern is with higher rents and higher inputs our break evens have skyrocketed to a point were we need these pricees to maitain profitability.
375 High fertilizer prices could hurt more corn production. Fertilizer companies see the high corn price so they adjust their prices accordingly and almost never go down.
379 fertilizer and fuel costs and availability, weather
380 Concerned about continued rising input costs and weather related problems we’ve experienced the last 3 years.
389 Gasoline/Diesel prices will affect everyone.
391 planted as much winter wheat as could reasonably handle (due to prices) will keep corn/soy split about the same.
395 Although concerned about the rapidly increasing input cost for growing corn my plan is to stay with 100% corn for 2008 like I did in 2007. It worked out extremely well this year. 400 I do not chase the market when I make planting decisions. Crop prices are never the same after the fat lady sings and the crop is raised.
405 I traditionally plant 50/50 sorghum and beans on spring ground. May change that percentage if bean prices stays high.
406 Ground moister, cost of fuel and fertilzer.
410 I produce beef cattle and I am concerned about dry weather conditions in the southeast.
415 Our biggest concern is having timely rains. We are in our 3rd year of drought in East Central Minnesota, not to forget one year of early frost. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do about this. We try to have good crop insurance and pray for rain.
417 Seed and Fertilizer costs could change my plans
419 Time will tell
422 high input costs will drive my crop mix decisions
