American farm bureau federation news
USDA Increases Corn and Soybean Production Forecast The Agriculture Department’s November monthly crop report moderately increased 2012 production forecasts for corn and soybeans compared to the prior month.
“As anticipated, there were no major changes to the projected production totals for both corn and soybeans this month,” said AFBF senior economist Todd Davis. “The early harvest numbers provided a fairly clear picture on the size of the 2012 corn and soybean crops in the October report,” he added. USDA forecast corn production at 10.7 billion bushels, down 1.6 billion bushels compared to 2011. The average yield for corn was forecast at 122.3 bushels per acre this year, up slightly from the October projection. Corn ending stocks for the marketing year
are projected to be tight at 647 million bushels, representing 21 days of supply. Soybean production is forecast at 2.97 billion bushels, down 123 million bushels compared to 2011. The average yield for soybeans was forecast at 39.3 bushels per acre, 2.6 bushels per acre less than the 2011 average yield. Ending stocks for soybeans are projected to be 140 million bushels (about a 17-day supply), which Davis described as “uncomfortably tight.” How the weather will affect corn and soybean production in South America continues to be closely watched, with USDA forecasting that Argentina and Brazil will increase soybean production by 1.87 billion bushels compared to 2011.
“A large soybean crop in both the U.S. and South America is needed to relieve the tight stock situation here,” Davis said. “All of the production uncertainty will be of concern to the market until both continents have large crops that allow stocks to rebuild. This uncertainty will keep the market volatile.” USDA is continuing to conduct producer surveys and field analysis, which will provide information about the drought damage done to the 2012 corn and soybean crop, according to Davis. The department’s January report will provide the final production projects for the 2012 crop. USDA’s crop production reports and world grain supply/demand estimates are available online.
Schools Receive Agriculture in a Growing World Grants Twenty-five schools were recently selected as grant recipients for the Agriculture in a Growing World program, made possible by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture with partnership from the Nutrients for Life Foundation. Grant recipients represent the following states: Ariz., Calif., Colo., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kan., Ky., La., Md., Mich., Neb., N.J., N.M., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Pa., S.C., Tenn., Texas, Wash, and Wis.
Grant recipients will receive a class set of “The Man Who Fed the World,” by Leon Hesser. This book brings to life the story of Norman Borlaug, a man who came from a one-room schoolhouse in Iowa and became one of the 100 most influential persons of 32
the 20th Century. In Borlaug’s eyes, fertilizer was a key component to staving off starvation, and Nutrients for Life carries this message forward on a daily basis.
“The Agriculture in a Growing World contest offers a great opportunity for classrooms all over the country to talk about modern agriculture and its role in feeding a growing population,” said Nutrients for Life Executive Director Harriet Wegmeyer. “We are excited to partner with AFBFA and sponsor this insightful resource in high school classrooms.” Grant recipients will also receive an educator’s guide full of turn-key lesson plans, as well as important information about the upcoming essay contest.
Idaho Farm Bureau producer / DECEMBER 2012
The Agriculture in a Growing World Essay Contest is a national competition, open to 9th-12th grade students who have explored the book “The Man Who Fed the World.” Any school, whether grant recipient or not, that has implemented this curriculum may enter the contest. The book, which comes with supporting educator resources, can be purchased at www.agfoundation.org. Contest details are available online at http://bit. ly/MGUrRJ. Essays and accompanying entry form must be emailed to foundation@ fb.org or faxed to 202.314.5121 by April 1st, 2013. Questions about the grant program and essay contest can be sent directly to educationdirector@fb.org.