IP Crop Network, March report

This monthly feature from SSGA’s Agronomy Action Team highlights growing conditions for Identity Preserved crops from different regions around the country. Thanks to the states/regions that contributed this month. If you would like to contribute, please get in touch with David Kee or Shane Frederick. You can also follow David Kee on Twitter for some of the latest, most-interesting information on agronomy and research that affect IP and other farmers.

Minnesota
As winter begins to lose its grip on the state, Minnesota farmers are busy planning. Input availability varies considerably across categories and locations. Farmers are also facing sticker shock on all inputs and services. Of the ones I chatted with, management plans now have versions M, N and O in place. Most of the standard tillage and fertilizer applications occurred as scheduled last fall. Consequently, minor change in crop acreage allocation is anticipated.

Minnesota’s drought-impacted area (D0-D2) has shrunk from 94% of the state in September to 57% in early March. The western third of the state is relatively drought-free, but there is limited subsurface water available. Timely rains will be needed to make a good crop. In the middle of February, soil temperatures, at 4-inch depth, ranged in the low to high 20s (^oF) in the north (Crookston) and upper 20s to low 30s in the south (Lamberton). Reports are that tile lines are still open indicate the frost line is relatively shallow. This is supported by the 40-inch soil temperature (>34^oF) in Crookston. Farmers are cautiously optimistic of an early planting season, but April is still three weeks away.

Michigan
The outlook for the 2022 Michigan soybean crop is positive and enthusiastic. The recent run-up in commodity process has changed some sentiment in the crop mix among growers. As crop input prices were calculated throughout the winter season, many farmers were considering the switch from corn to soybeans on some acres. This thought has moderated somewhat with increased prices, especially of corn. Fertilizer availability and weather during the planting season likely will have the biggest effect on the crop mix choices this year.

As herbicide availability and prices are still unknown in some cases, more growers are considering the choice of some non-GMO soybeans. If glyphosate and glufosinate pricing and availability become more secure, this may change. Weed control challenges continue to be a strong influence on growers’ choices as herbicide resistant marestail and common waterhemp continue to be strong considerations.

It took all of that to say that I don’t expect the soybean acreage in Michigan to be drastically different than our past acreage. But the wild ride of commodity prices and crop inputs continues and may have another curveball to throw before the crops are planted.

Illinois
In my 30 years in the ag business and 50 years being involved on the farm, I have never seen anything like what we are currently experiencing: grain markets on a huge roller coaster, record-high input prices and land sale prices and cash rents that show no signs of stopping. Last week had two grain farmers drive an auction to $21,000/acre for ground that five years ago would have brought $5,000/acre. We are definitely experiencing unprecedented times.

Corn acres in Illinois likely will be flat to possibly up a little in the good soils and flat to down on the lighter soils. Those in central/northern Illinois who apply anhydrous had the opportunity to do that at $750-$800/ton, compared to all of the spring applied anhydrous that is going to go on at $1,500/ton. Based on that, one of the largest costs in corn production is locked in at well below current market prices. Corn will get planted. As you move south that high price of N and lower-yielding soils will drive more acres to soybeans.

Current soil profiles are at maximum water holding capacity, and as soon as it dries up, we will see field activity. Not much will get planted until April 1, but a lot of work will get done if the weather allows.

The most interesting story right now is the winter wheat crop that is in the ground. Illinois ended up with around 735,000 acres planted last fall, a fairly large crop compared to the last few years. Most of the crop looks pretty good and three-fourths of the acres have had half of the spring nitrogen applied. The recent spike in price has many growers asking about planting spring wheat in central and southern Illinois. For many agronomic reasons this is strongly discouraged, but I am betting somebody will try it.

Missouri
As we roll into Spring in Missouri, we are seeing the up and down of temperatures with intermittent rain and snow showers. We are coming off two weeks of cold weather with snow and ice hitting most of the state. The Missouri Soybeans’ staff was in Portageville, MO, last week for the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council board meeting. While down there, we saw several areas with water standing at the lower ends of the field furrows, but there was some green-up in sight. We did see several acres of wheat starting to green. Also, we did see some aerial applications beginning down there. Some producers noted that tillage had begun.

Overall, we are seeing the same trends across the U.S. There are many producers working to secure inputs for the season, but this is a trend across the U.S. Also, the SOYLEIC® soybean team is still working with licensees across the U.S. to lock in more SOYLEIC® soybean acres. This also goes for non-GM acres. If you have any leads on producers interested in non-GM or planting the SOYLEIC® soybean trait, let us know. Many QSSBs and licensees are working to fulfill the demand for both, non-GM and SOYLEIC soybean acres.

This monthly feature from SSGA’s Agronomy Action Team highlights growing conditions for Identity Preserved crops from different regions around the country. Thanks to the states/regions that contributed this month. If you would like to contribute, please get in touch with David Kee or Shane Frederick. You can also follow David Kee on Twitter for some of the latest, most-interesting information on agronomy and research that affect IP and other farmers.