February 7, 2017 - In This Issue:

NDGI Attends Ohio Agribusiness Association Conference

Ohio territory managers Michael Adams and Moses Teel joined Vice President Kia Mikesh at the 2017 Ohio Agribusiness Association's (OABA) Industry Conference in Columbus, Ohio on February 1-2. 

The three hosted a booth to share information about who NDGI is and what we do. 

Mikesh, Adams, and Teel also learned about the Ohio agriculture industry.  The two day conference featured presentations about investing in your community, being prepared for an agricultural emergency, embracing differences to achieve success and many more topics.


U.S. Drought Monitor

Snow showers fell across parts of the upper Midwest as well as downwind locations of the Great Lakes where moderate to heavy snowfall accumulations were observed. Average temperatures for the week were above normal with the greatest anomalies observed in northern portions of Minnesota. The 6-10 day outlook calls for a higher probability of above-normal temperatures across the entire U.S. with the exception in the Northern Plains and Pacific Northwest where they will be in below-normal temperatures.
 

Crop Progress - January State Stories

Information about winter wheat condition, average temperatures and precipitation, as well as a summary of the weather for January from each state in our territory can be viewed below. 



Illinois
- 74% of winter wheat was in good to excellent condition.
- The average temperature was 31.4 degrees Fahrenheit, 6.7 degrees above normal. 
- Precipitation averaged 2.15 inches, 0.37 inches above normal. 
- Normal winter conditions were reported throughout the state. 

Indiana
- 63% of winter wheat was in good to excellent condition. 
- The average temperature was 33.9 degrees Fahrenheit, 8 degrees above normal. 
- Average precipitation throughout the state was 3.65 inches, 1.38 inches above normal. 
- Indiana saw temperatures above freezing with moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the month of January. The warm temperatures have been beneficial for the wheat, but there are concerns that colder temperatures coming could cause crop damage. 

Michigan
- 63% of winter wheat was in good to excellent condition
- Temperatures were unseasonable warm with lots of rainfall. The warm temperatures of caused concern for the winter wheat. 

Minnesota
- The average temperature was 15.8 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 3.9 degrees above average. 
- Average precipitation was 1.15 inches, 0.38 inches above normal. 
- An early January storm brought a mixture of rain and snow to Minnesota. With the snow fall continuing through the beginning of the month recorded the nation's coldest daily temperatures 3 times. 

Missouri
- 48% of winter wheat was in good to excellent condition.

Montana
- 70% of winter wheat is in good to excellent condition.
- January was predominately cold and snowy for much of Montana, with warmer temperatures towards the end. 

North Dakota
- 82% of winter wheat was in good to excellent condition. 
- Temperatures averaged two degrees above normal in the eastern half of the State to four to six degrees below normal across much of the west. 

Ohio
- 81% of winter wheat was in good to excellent condition.
- The statewide average temperate was 34.7 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 8.2 degrees above normal. 
- Precipitation averaged to 3.92 inches, which was 1.51 inches above normal. 
The high rainfall caused excessive ponding and ice in some parts of the State, limiting winter field work. Several warm days have thawed soils and melted snow cover, leading to concerns for winter wheat. 




To see the full state story or other states, click here.
Aflatoxin Levels in U.S. Corn Crop Lower than Usual
U.S. crops were less affected by aflatoxins than usual during the 2016-17 harvest season, according to a leading scientist at the USDA Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). 

Chief scientist at GIPSA's Federal Grain Inspection Service Technology and Science Division said that is has been a pretty good year for corn because the weather conditions have not been right for promoting aflatoxin growth. 

Aflatoxins, which is a type of mycotoxin, are a poisonous metabolite of molds and fungi that can affect crops and livestock, which grows predominantly on corn. There are five different mycotoxins that GIPSA tests for: aflatoxin, vomitoxin, fumonisins, zearaleone, and ochratoxin. Aflatoxin, which a effects corn, and vomitoxin, which effects wheat and barley, are the most closely monitored of the five. 

Mycotoxins are always an issue within the grain and farming industries.