May 9, 2017 - In This Issue:

United States Standards for Barley

A rule by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration on 5/3/2017.

The USDA and GIPSA is making a change to the U.S. Standards for Barley under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA). They have revised the definitions of other terms to remove Six-rowed Blue Malting Barley and the reference to kernels with white aleurone layers. GIPSA has also revised the barley standards to add the factors injured-by mold and mold-damaged kernels to the subclass Six-rowed Malting barley. The last revision made Two-rowed Malting Barley and Six-rowed Malting barley, and removing those for Six-rowed Blue Malting barley. 

All of the above mentioned revisions will take effect on August 1, 2018.


To read more on the revisions, Click Here. 
U.S. Drought Monitor

An intense storm developed over the central Plains and moved through the Midwest. This storm brought torrential rains and thunderstorms with wet snow on the back side. Specifically, for the Midwest too much moisture is a common theme. Drought is not an issue in the region. Looking ahead, over the next 5-7 days another storm will impact the Midwest from Missouri into Michigan. 
 

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report - 05/08/2017

Corn:
Illinois  | 65% of corn has been planted | 29% of corn has emerged

Indiana  | 51% of corn has been planted | 18% of corn has emerged

Minnesota  | 35% of corn has been planted | 1% of corn has emerged

North Dakota | 23% of corn has been planted  | 0% of corn has emerged

South Dakota | 32% of corn has been planted | 1% of corn has emerged

Ohio  | 46% of corn has been planted | 12% of corn has emerged
 
Soybeans:
Illinois  | 14% of soybeans have been planted

Indiana  | 19% of soybeans have been planted

Minnesota  | 4% of soybeans have been planted

North Dakota | 4% of soybeans have been planted

South Dakota | 5% of soybeans have been planted

Ohio  | 16% of soybeans have been planted

 
Winter Wheat:
Illinois  | 78% of winter wheat has headed | 77% of it is in good to excellent condition

Indiana  | 46% of winter wheat has headed | 80% is in good to excellent condition

Ohio  | 19% of winter wheat has headed | 80% is in good to excellent condition

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Spring Wheat
Minnesota   | 65% of spring wheat is planted | 16% has emerged

North Dakota | 45% of spring wheat has been planted | 11% of it has emerged

South Dakota | 94% of spring wheat is planted | 71% of it has emerged


To see more of the Crop Progress Report, Click Here.
Central Illinois Farmers Fighting Weekend Floods

A downpour of rain over the weekend could cost local Illinois farmers with new flood threats. 

Four straight days of rain ended up dumping 3 inches of water on Decatur, IL. In the South and East, areas had 4 to 5 inches of rainfall. 

Macon County Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Tim Stock said the effect of the flooding won't be known until the water drains off. "We're waiting to see what's been planted and whether or not it's all washed out," said Stock. 

Farmer Cory Ritter owns about 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans in Macon and Christian counties, said he did not plant soybeans yet and didn't think his corn crop overall would be greatly affected. "That much rain doesn't help the corn by any means, but it wasn't a disaster. There will be areas that need to be replanted, but there's still time to get that done," said Ritter.


To read more, Click Here. 
Ohio Farmers Plant Fewest Wheat Crops in State History

Ohio farmers are continuing with the national trend by planting the fewest acres of wheat in the state's history. 

Wheat prices are at a 10-year low after peaking at more than $10 a bushel in 2008.

Ohio farmers say changes in food trends and foreign competition is to blame for the reduce in wheat acreage. 


To read more, Click Here. 
I-80 Planting Tour 2017: Mixed Planting Results Across Indiana

Looking at the USDA's Crop Progress report, Indiana corn planting is ahead of it's five-year average while soybean planting is on par. 

While some are busy planting, others are waiting for their chance to get into the fields. "We're wet, but with sun, that will dry us out before too long and we will get the planters rolling," said Jim Smith, a producer from Grabill, Indiana. 

Like other Indiana farmers hugging the Ohio border, Smith has been thinking about more than the date on the calendar. "We got 2015, a year where we only planted 40 percent of our crop," said Smith. "Last year we were in that micro-drought so we didn't have APH yields on corn. We're ancious for a good growing season for 2017." 


To read more, Click Here.