foods resource bank, farmer blog #11

FOODS RESOURCE BANK


FARMER BLOG #11 AUGUST 19, 2010

Editors note: this is a continuation of an e-mail newsletter or blog started to inform non farmers that are involved with FRB daily happenings on the farm.  The format is now going exclusively to this blog site beginning Labor Day.

Dear FRB partners:

It is the time of the year when I try to estimate my yields of corn and beans. There is a particular formula that I have used but am having difficulty with the numbers to enter because the fields are not as uniform as normal. If you have been following my earlier letters you are aware of the excess rainfall and the problems they have caused development of the crops. I am finding areas of the same field with projected yields of 0 bushels per acre, 80 bushels per acre and 195 bushels per acre. The problem comes with estimating the percentage of the field in each category. I feel my corn yield will at my 5 year average when all is done and my beans should be slightly better if weather cooperates. The bean fields are having some plants die now without developing any grain, this is called sudden death in beans and most agronomist feel that it is related to the stress of poor growing conditions earlier in the year.

The department of Agriculture also does a similar assessment and they are projecting record corn yields for the nation at 165 bushels per acre for the 2010 crop year. This is amazing considering that in 1970 the average was only 70 bushels per acre.

I drove to Iowa this weekend and there are a lot of fields that are showing the same problems as we are experiencing. The rains this spring have caused yellowing of corn, poor weed control, and late plantings. I have also heard that the hot July has caused problems in southern Illinois. It has been hard for many farmers to agree with the high yield projection in Illinois but many other areas of the corn belt are doing better than ever.

Crop prices have gone higher because of dry conditions in Russia and good world demand for grain. We continue to need above average yields to provide food for the world. Again we should remind ourselves that the problems we experience with weather are far less than the problems in other parts of the world. It is from this that we unite in the cause to aid others through Foods Resource Bank.

Serving Together

Dean