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Official Grain Inspection


U.S. Drought Monitor
Heavy rains fell throughout much of the Midwest, which brought improvements. Ohio saw slight improvements in the center of the state near Fairfield county, while areas around Sandusky, Wyandot, and Hardin counties had abnormal dryness expand.

Much of the Dakotas saw improvements with the recent rainfall. While there are lingering long-term deficits, local experts in North Dakota observe that farming conditions are currently very good.

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report - 10/23/2017
Corn:
Illinois  | 62% of corn has been harvested compared to 82% in 2016 | 63% is in good
to excellent condition

Indiana | 46% of corn has been harvested compared to 62% last year | 58% is in good
to excellent condition

Minnesota | 14% of corn has been harvested compared to 52% last year | 81% is in
good to excellent condition

North Dakota | 17% of corn has been harvested compared to 36% in 2016 | 59% is in
good to excellent condition

South Dakota | 19% of corn has been harvested compared to 45% in 2016 | 45% is in
good to excellent condition

Ohio  | 35% of corn has been harvested compared to 47% in 2016 |  65% is in good to
excellent condition
 

Soybeans:
Illinois  | 77% of soybeans have been harvested compared to 73% in 2016

Indiana | 69% of soybeans have been harvested compared to 69% in 2016

Minnesota | 83% of soybeans have been harvested compared to 94% in last year

North Dakota | 89% of soybeans have been harvested compared to 93% in 2016

South Dakota | 81% of soybeans have been harvested compared to 87% in last year

Ohio  | 76% of soybeans have been harvested compared to 77% in 2016


Winter Wheat
Illinois  | 70% of winter wheat have been planted compared to 64% in 2016 | 38% of winter wheat has emerged compared to 35% last year

Indiana | 67% of winter wheat have been planted compared to 68% in 2016 | 39% of winter wheat has emerged compared to 38% in 2016

South Dakota | 96% of winter wheat have been planted compared to 99% in last year | 80% of winter wheat has emerged compared to 79% in 2016

Ohio  | 82% of winter wheat have been planted compared to 82% in 2016 | 52% of winter wheat has emerged compared to 41% last year.


Mycotoxin Report for 10/23/2017
Deoxynivalenol (DON) reported in corn and corn silage in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Dry Weather May Have Hurt Some Soybeans
Soybean yields are all over the board in Indiana this year from the variable rainfall patterns this late summer.

"Some areas, particularly in northern Indiana, got timely rains, and other areas didn't," says Steve Gauck, a sales agronomist for Beck's based in Greensburg, Ind. Areas in central and southern Indiana saw only scattered showers or even more infrequent rains during August and September.

"We once thought that August was the key month for reproduction for soybeans, when you needed ample moisture for top yields," he says. "It's still crucial. However, we're finding that unless you planted very early or planted an early variety, early to mid-September can be crucial too."

Wet Autumn Tests Farmers, Delays Harvest
Farm fields west of Minneapolis and St. Paul in Minnesota are so wet you can't get a combine into the fields.

John Schafer, who grows corn and soybeans and runs 80 head of Hereford cattle near Buffalo Lake, has decided to hold off on harvesting because running heavy equipment on wet ground can compact the soil. Compacted soil can stunt the growth of the crops for the next growing season, according to University of Minnesota Extension educator Dave Nicolai.

"With the wet weather, we're pushing this harvest and the big concern for a lot of farmers here is if we get too late, we get into November, you run the chance of snow," Nicolai says.

Massillon Hub Moves Product via Rail Line
Deerfield Ag Services broke ground at the location in June, and began operating last week. Currently the operation is in the first of three stages.

Adam Moodt, the grain facility manager, said two of the four silos are storing soybeans. As the other stages begin, the company will start taking in wheat and corn.

Once all stages are complete, the silos and equipment can fill a rail car with 225,000 pounds of grain within three minutes.