Bumper Crops or Bust?

Bumper Crops or Bust?  That seems to be the question riding on this summers weather.
   Weather and Crops:  It has been raining and cloudy for the last two weeks with little break for field work.  My corn that did drown out in may and replanted was again flooded and still under water.  Between the spots under water and the spots stressed by water not allowing air to get to the roots I will not be able to get my average yields.  I still need to spray for weed control and add some nitrogen but it needs to dry enough to get a tractor in the field.  Iowa and Wisconsin are in the best condition now and should produce excellent crops.  Ohio and Pennsylvania are progressing but corn that should be two feet tall is just emerging, they will need a warm summer and long fall without frost.  Texas is under extreme drought. Missouri is having the longest flooding problems I can remember.  You can see there are challenges to producing a bumper crop this year. 
   Markets:  December corn was $7.22 on June 9th and $6.20 on June 23rd at the Chicago board of trade.  My advisor is recommending feed purchases at these levels to extend coverage DEC. 2011 to March 2012.  There are several reports that will influence market direction coming out soon.  June 24th showing hogs on feed, followed by the planting report showing USDA estimate of planted acres to crops.  More hogs will mean more corn feed and smaller plantings will mean less corn for feed.  The $1.02 swing in corn price in the last two weeks could happen again as the year progresses and traders take positions reflecting current news.
   Garden:  I will plant more Peas, Beans, and squash this week.  Have fun trying some second plantings in yours.
   Foods Resource Bank:  I have heard back from the Kenya trip and have a better understanding of what they are doing and how we all can help.  Some of the projects are doing great while one of the projects is in an area that has not gotten rain in two years.  Pray for our overseas neighbors and continue to support FRB.  I am going to try to get pictures and more info for my next post.
                                                                                            Serving together Dean Lundeen