Counties of: Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux
The late March snow storm has finally melted away, and now we are ready for spring. Our soil moisture profile
here in Northwest Iowa is basically full. The temperatures have been swinging wildly so far in April which is not
unusual for this time of year. Planting delays from wet field conditions are a real possibility, but it’s too early to call
that now. We are hoping for a gradual warm up and dryer weather in April. If we can get the crop planted on time,
a full profile to start with greatly reduces our moisture risk this season.
Grain markets failed to make the dramatic rally that many were hoping for this winter/spring. The March 31 USDA Planting Intentions Report projects U.S. corn growers will plant 93.6 million acres to corn this year, which is the first increase in corn planted acreage since 2012. It would be the third largest corn acreage since 1944. That number was a surprise to the market, and the corn price has dropped about 20 cents from that report.
Soybean prices have been the bright spot, they steadily increased in March gaining nearly 70 cents.Unfortunately, the price is still under break-even price for many farmers. Soybean prices are supported by stronger oil prices, and Brazil’s currency “Real” has been strengthening compared to the US dollar. A stronger Real could boost U.S. farm exports because the United States competes with Brazil for corn and soybean business on the world market.
Please click on the links on the right to view the past pdf’s of our Northwest Crop Conditions reports.
1705 N Lake Ave
Storm Lake, IA 50588
Real Estate Licensed in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota.
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