AgWeb’s Tyne Morgan reported that, “triple-digit heat indices swept across the Midwest and Plains late last week and into the weekend, and the damage is already showing up in the numbers. USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report released Monday showed the steepest week-over-week decline in corn good to excellent condition ratings for this point in the […]
Weather
US Winter Wheat Crop Smallest Since 1965, USDA Says
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday cut its U.S. winter wheat crop outlook by 2% from a month earlier as a harsh drought in the Plains cut its hard red winter wheat production view to the lowest since 1957 and total winter wheat production to the lowest since 1965.
Worsening Spring Drought Puts U.S. Wheat at Risk
The United States experienced its worst spring drought on record last month, with more than 60% of land in the lower 48 states experiencing moderate drought or worse. The drought has sparked alarm among farmers and environmentalists across the country, who warn that food supplies may be impacted and wildfires may blight areas where they are not usually seen.
Crop Price Index Hits Highest Since November 2023
The extended closure of the Strait of Hormuz and extreme weather have jolted the price index for farm commodities to a two-year high as fertilizer headaches and the prospect of smaller harvests drive food inflation risks.
Nebraska Fires Threaten to Delay Cattle Herd Rebuild
Massive wildfires have burned vast swaths of grazing lands in Nebraska, endangering cattle producers’ plans for production increases that could help ease record-high U.S. beef prices. The loss of grasslands in the second-biggest cattle-producing state removes a feed source for herds and could delay ranchers from expanding as they struggle with widespread drought, state and industry officials said.
Low Mississippi River Levels to Again Disrupt Harvest Shipping
Water levels in parts of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers are likely to reach critically low stages soon, forcing shippers to light-load harvest-season grain barges for the fourth year in a row.
Florida Citrus Hit by Hurricane Milton
Bloomberg’s Ilena Peng reported that “oranges and some citrus trees are lying useless on the ground in Florida’s groves after Hurricane Milton tore through the state, setting back growers just as they hoped the worst for the struggling industry was over.” “The powerful storm moved through key citrus-producing counties after making landfall in Florida (last) […]
Hurricane Milton To Disrupt Phosphate Production
Argus Media’s Taylor Zavala reported that “the US phosphate market anticipates Hurricane Milton’s Florida landfall … will cause further disruptions to regional production as the Tampa area continues to recover from Hurricane Helene.” Bloomberg’s Mary Hui and Brian K Sullivan reported Thursday morning that “Hurricane Milton is moving off the coast of eastern Florida into […]
Hurricane Helene Causes Billions in Ag Damage
Bloomberg’s Gerson Freitas Jr and Ilena Peng reported that “Hurricane Helene has halted chicken processing plants and caused severe damage to some flocks, while also downing pecan trees and flattening cotton crops, as floodwaters swamped the southern US.” “Every commodity was impacted, with cotton, pecans, poultry and timber the hardest hit, according to Matthew Agvest, […]
Crops in Danger After Hurricane Helene Makes Landfall
USA Today staff reported Thursday that “Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night carrying catastrophic 140 mph winds as the first known Category 4 storm to hit Florida’s Big Bend region since records began in 1851.” “Helene made landfall at about 11:10 p.m. ET near Perry, Florida. Hours later, the system weakened to a Category 1 […]
Black Sea, EU Wheat Facing Weather Challenges
Bloomberg’s Áine Quinn reported Tuesday that “dried out soils in Russia and Ukraine are threatening plantings for next year’s wheat harvest, yet another headache for farmers hit by weather setbacks and the ongoing war.” “Swaths of land across the nations, which together account for more than a quarter of all wheat exports, are too dry […]
Low South American River Levels Hindering Crop Shipments
Rivers throughout South America have reached such low levels in recent days and weeks that shipments of grains and oilseeds have been hindered, though the effects at this time are not catastrophic for export levels as it is not peak trading season, ag groups have said. Water levels in the rivers that run through the […]
Panama Canal Increasing Ship Traffic After Drought
Bloomberg’s Michael D McDonald reported on Tuesday that “the Panama Canal is lifting restrictions that caused a global shipping bottleneck as water levels normalize after a severe drought.” “The Panama Canal Authority increased the draft in the waterway to a maximum 50 feet and will allow 36 vessels a day to transit after recent rains […]
Western Wildfires Threatening Farmers and Ranchers
CBS News’ Richard Ramos, Brandon Downs and Cecilio Padilla reported Sunday that “Northern California’s Park Fire has surpassed 360,000 acres burned as evacuation orders affect four counties—Butte, Tehama, Shasta and Plumas.” “Cal Fire reported that containment increased to 12% on Sunday morning. The Park Fire is the largest wildfire in the state so far this […]
Some Ag Damage Reported from Hurricane Beryl
Progressive Farmer’s Chris Clayton reported Tuesday that “it will take time to assess all the agricultural damage in Texas and other states from Hurricane Beryl and its remnants, but at least some grain infrastructure was knocked out by winds that reached 95 miles per hour in some areas.” “For farmers in areas such as Wharton […]
Rain Causing Growing Concern for U.S. Crops
Reuters’ Naveen Thukral reported Monday that “in the United States, a top food exporter, intense heat has gripped parts of the east coast, while excessive rains in the key Midwest growing region and forecasts for more wet weather have raised fears of floods.” “‘In the Midwest, the focus is shifting from heat to too much […]
Flood Related Soybean Losses Estimated at 2.71 MMT in Brazil
Reuters’ Andre Romani and Leticia Fucuchima reported Tuesday that “soybean losses related to recent floods in Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul were estimated at 2.71 million metric tons, crop agency Emater said on Tuesday, in line with private forecasts ranging from 2.8 million to 3 million tons.” “Emater said in a statement […]
Active Severe Weather Spring Causes Planting Season Challenges
Fox Weather’s Andrew Wulfeck reported Thursday that “a spring severe weather season under a diminishing El Niño helped propel the fifth month of the year to become the second-most-active May for tornadoes, hail and damaging winds, only to be outdone by 2011.” “Through the first 28 days of May, the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction […]
Brazil Floods Likely to Affect Future Crop Seasons
Bloomberg’s Clarice Couto reported Wednesday that “catastrophic floods in Brazil will have long-lasting impacts for agriculture, with soaked soils making it harder for farmers to plant crops including rice and wheat for next season.” “Growers in Rio Grande do Sul will likely be forced to shift away from their traditional crops and into new cultures, […]
Floods Disrupt Access to Brazil’s 4th Biggest Soy Port
Reuters Roberto Samora and Ana Mano reported Tuesday that “road and rail links to a major grains port in southern Brazil have been disrupted by the impact of heavy floods, Anec, an association representing global grain exporters including Cargill and Bunge said on Tuesday.” “Rail service to the port has been interrupted while road blockades were […]