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Farmers ‘pleasantly surprised’ with early harvest I o w a may struggle compared to other states in the Midwest because of the e x t r e m e Cameron weather conditions, but Michaelson said it will have a minimal effect on the commodity market. Michaelson said southern states, like Mississippi, switch cottonfields to cornfields to take advantage of the high market prices. “We may have less to export and the other states may have more grain to ship out,” Michaelson said. “But overall, it will balance out. It may keep our basis a little higher if the total number of bushels is tighter.”
By JAKE WADDINGHAM CNA staff reporter
jwaddingham@crestonnews.com
U
.S. farmers are on pace for an all-time record high harvest. While the conditions in Iowa were less than ideal — starting with one of the wettest springs in history followed by drought conditions in July and August — Gavilon Manager Dean Michaelson said farmers in the early stages of harvest have been “pleasantly surprised.” One of the reasons for the record-setting year is an increase in the number of acres planted. “ T h e high price of corn the last two or three years encouraged people to plant more acres,” M i c h a e l - Michaelson son said. “We’ve seen a lot of CRP acres turn into row crops.” So even though the growing conditions did not produce a bumper crop with high yields, the increase in the number of acres will balance out the estimated harvest of 14.15 billion bushels.
Harvest time
Most area farmers are starting to harvest soybeans that were planted early in the growing season and able to get adequate sunlight. Some cornfields are also close to harvest, but Tracey Cameron, an agronomist for Gavilon, said most farmers focus on beans first. Corn prices continued to fall, settling at $4.37 for December delivery on the Chicago Board
of Trade Wednesday. “The beans are mature and tend to dry down quickly to harvest moisture,” Cameron said. “If they leave the beans in the field, they become too dry, and there is a high chance of damage to the seed coat if they plan to hold any seeds back to plant with next year.” The average ideal moisture level for soybeans is 13 percent. Corn is a little higher at 15 percent. “Beans are running pretty good right now,” Michaelson said. Cameron added harvesting too early results in prolonged and costly drying expenses. To maintain a profit, Cameron said farmers have to try to harvest as close to the ideal moisture level as possible. Soybeans finished at $12.76 for November delivery, making a slight recovery to close out Wednesday. Michaelson said some beanfields may not be ready for another week or 10 days depending on if the weather cooperates and speeds up the drying process.
Government blackout
While farmers will still be able to work on getting the harvest out, the stalemate in Washington, D.C., may hurt U.S. exports and market
Severe weather possible today
Creston did not receive severe weather overnight, but National Weather Service did report Creston receiving .02 inches of rainfall between the hours of 6:45 and 8:30 a.m. today. Severe weather did hit southeast Nebraska Thursday generating at least one tornado that stayed on the ground. Severe weather is possible in the Creston area again today. NWS said a summer-like system is expected to move through the Midwest this afternoon into evening, and could pack thunder, high winds, heavy rain and possibly tornadoes. Forecasters say the highest tornado threat is in northeast Nebraska and west-central Iowa.
Skilled community
CNA photos by JAKE WADDINGHAM
The average ideal moisture for soybeans right now is 13 percent. Corn is a little higher at 15 percent.
prices if a compromised is not reached. A United States Department of Agriculture press release announced its branch — the National Agricultural Statistics Service — will be unavailable to issue crop and livestock reports while employees are on furlough. Michaelson said reports include details of the global supply and demand for agriculture commodities. Without the report, which is set to be released Oct. 11, overseas trade could be adversely effected as markets are left in the dark.
Potash market drops, buyers hold for best price By JAKE WADDINGHAM CNA staff reporter
jwaddingham@crestonnews.com
The potash fertilzer market continues to plummet after a falling out of a major coalition of two of the world’s largest producers in July. After Russia’s OAO Uralkali and its Belarusian counterpart parted ways, the Russian company said it would increase potash output and drop the market price. In response, the move sent shares
of fertilizer companies in a downward spiral. “If the price goes down (per ton), it lowers the cost per acre,” said Gavilon agronomist Tracy Cameron. Potassium — more commonly known as potash — is applied as a fertilizer to crops. It helps develop a strong root system to absorb water more efficiently and allows the plant to be more resistant to drought. “It is like a brick in a foundation,” Cameron said. “It is what we consider a
primary nutrient.” The mineral is commonly found in the soil, but it is not always available for plants to absorb. Commercial potash fertilizers are water soluble and can easily be pulled into the plants through the roots. Without potassium, plants cannot efficiently cycle nutrients to the leaves and fruit. Cameron does tests every two to four years on farmland to determine if the field is in need of more potash so it can be readily available to plants. A rate is set in pounds per
acre and spread onto the field. “Commodity prices continue to drift downward,” Cameron said. “The lower cost allows farmers to be more economical. They are growing to make a profit.” While buyers continue to hold back to see how low the potash market will go, potash producers worry the price could drop as low as $300 per ton. The current average retail price in the United States has declined 11 percent to $538.93.
Union and Ringgold counties were recently declared Skilled Iowa Communities — a statewide initiative to improve job training and marketability of Iowa’s workforce and drive future economic growth for the state. “This took the whole community,” said Elizabeth Waigand, Employers’ Council of Iowa (ECI) coordinator. “This would not be possible without the support of our local businesses, schools, Waigand community college, job seekers and community members.” More than 400 people in Union County took the National Career Readiness Certificate (NRCR) test — which includes reading for information, applied math and locating information. The test — developed by ACT through the input of thousands of businesses — helps determine if job seekers have the “real world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success.
Washington shooting WASHINGTON (MCT) — A frantic police chase through the heart of Washington, from the White House to Capitol Hill down historic Pennsylvania Avenue, ended Thursday with a woman shot to death, two law enforcement officers injured and the Capitol complex under emergency lockdown. More than a dozen police shots rang out on two sides of Capitol Hill, sending many legislators, staffers and tourists running for cover, with some ducking down on the lawns and sidewalks. Dozens of police cars and officers converged on the female driver on the Senate side of Capitol Hill. A 1-year-old child was rescued from the car and taken to a nearby hospital. The incident took place in a city already frayed over the government shutdown and a shooting rampage two weeks ago at the Washington Navy Yard that left 13 people dead.
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Volume 130 No. 82 Copyright 2013
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Contents
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Deaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Heloise Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Weekend weather High 56 Low 37 Full weather report, 3A