Incorrect CRP Info

I received information this morning that a local television station broadcast that all CRP ground in Indiana had been released for haying/grazing. This report is incorrect. To date, Clinton County has not been released. Even if it had been released you couldn't do anything until after August 1 when the nesting season is over. And even then, certain types of CRP will not be eligible. The most important lesson in all this is: Before doing anything with CRP, CALL YOUR LOCAL USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY OFFICE FIRST!.

Ag Drought Program July 13

I've set up an Ag Drought program for Friday, July 13 from 2-4 p.m. This program will be held at the Clinton County Fair in the entertainment tent at the fairgrounds. The entertainment tent is located between Clinton Hall and the 4-H Building.

The program is titled, "Making Decisions in a Difficult Crop Year." The focus is not on what's going on in your fields (most farmers have a pretty good handle on that) but how to make decisions going forward in what's looking to be a short crop. I don't have precise titles for each of the speakers (quotes means I do), however here's the planned schedule.

• 2:00-2:45 p.m. - Purdue Ag Economist Chris Hurt will discuss marketing and economics
• 2:45-3:00 p.m. - Brittany Shepherd, Clinton County FSA Director, "Drought Assistance Through USDA”
• 3:00-3:15 p.m. - Gary Gray from Crop Insurance Specialists discussing Crop Insurance
• 3:15-3:30 p.m. - Rod Miller, CCA from Crop Fertility Specialists, “Crop Input Decisions in Historical Hot and Dry Conditions”
• 3:30-3:45 p.m. - Curt Emanuel, Final Thoughts - I intend to talk to some Purdue Specialists a day or two ahead and I'll share anything they think is important
• 3:45-4:00 p.m. - Questions

The program could last a bit longer if necessary though the chairs we'll be sitting in will be used at the 4-H Auction which begins at 6 that evening so we can't stay there forever.

The fair doesn't begin charging for parking until 3 p.m. so there should be no problem with anyone getting onto the grounds. The carnival doesn't usually start until around 5 so we shouldn't have a lot of casual fairgoers trying to see what's going on. It will likely be warm in the tent but we'll have some fans. I'm at a conference the week after the fair so I didn't want to hold off any longer to have a program.

If you have any questions your best bet is to e-mail me for additional information. With the fair coming up it's doubtful anyone will be here to answer the phone much of the time. Don't expect quick answers by e-mail but I will be checking it as I have time.

I also want to share the Purdue Drought Page with everyone. This has links to information about field crops, livestock and horticulture issues.

Purdue Drought Page

Chris Hurt Drought and Contracts Article

When I talked to Chris Hurt yesterday he told me he'd be coming out with an article on contract strategies during a short crop year. I had no idea it would be this fast or I might have held off on the post I put up yesterday. The link to his article is below.

Chris Hurt Drought & Contracts Article

Drought, Weather and Contracts

A couple of issues have started being talked about related to the drought which I want to mention. First is crop prices, particularly corn. While prices have rallied a bit over the past few days, the problem is that in this week's crop progress report, Iowa's corn crop is still rated 68% good to excellent, Minnesota's is 83% good to excellent and Nebraska's is 60% good to excellent. While Indiana and Illinois are reporting much worse conditions, you can see that across a good chunk of the corn belt things still look pretty good. I was going to wait until after Friday's grain stocks report to say anything because that could have a substantial impact but based purely on the crop conditions report a radical price increase in corn looks unlikely in the short term.

And those three states I mentioned have been getting rain. Below is a screenshot of today's (June 27, 2012) 7-day precipitation analysis from the National Weather service. You can see where the greens and yellows are.

Another issue that is starting to be talked about is filling contracts if there's a radical yield reduction, which is looking more likely every day. I am not a marketing guru so I'll refer you to this 2010 publication from the University of Maryland. An article on grain contracts starts on page 11.

Link to 2010 University of Maryland Drought Handbook for Grain/Crop Producers

I don't have a lot to add to this publication. Chris Hurt from Purdue is working on developing some articles on this and other drought-related issues and I'll get that information out once it's available. There are two things I want to emphasize from this publication. First is that the most important thing is to talk your buyer about what options are available. Second, the stronger your position, the less expensive it will probably be for you to make changes or buy out of your contract. The article illustrates this fairly well with the tables on pages 12 and 13. While it may be a bit early to start changing contracts, I don't think it's too early to start thinking about your options if this becomes necessary.

Drought Update 2

This isn't so much an update as a suggestion that folks take a look at a recent article by Bob Nielsen regarding current crop conditions. With temperatures forecast for over a hundred degrees on Thursday, I think we all know that the impact on corn that's received almost no rain and has just started tasselling could be devastating. At least the markets are starting to respond.

There was a second drought conference call this morning I wasn't able to participate in. If I hear anything new from this I'll make another post.

Bob Nielsen article.

Purdue Agronomy Drought Information Page

Bob Nielsen has recently updated a page which has links to drought-related information. The initial page looks pretty plain but once, for example, you click on the "Drought & row crops" link you'll find a lot of information.

Purdue Drought Information Page

Indiana Pesticide Clean Sweep Project

I just received notification of the dates and locations for the 2012 Indiana State Chemist's Clean Sweep Project. These are as follows:

• August 7: Vigo County Fairgrounds, Terre Haute, IN
• August 9, 2012: Dubois County Fairgrounds, Huntingburg, IN
• August 14: White County Fairgrounds, Reynolds, IN
• August 16: Henry County Fairgrounds, New Castle, IN

Times for all locations will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Clean Sweep Project is designed for public and private schools, golf courses, nurseries, farmers, ag dealers, municipalities and county government. Private individuals should work with their local Solid Waste District to dispose of unwanted pesticides.

Each participant may dispose of up to 250 lbs of pesticides free of charge. Amounts in excess of this will be charged a $2.00/lb fee. All participants should complete a Pesticide Clean Sweep Planning Form to the best of their ability and send it to Kevin Neal at the Indiana State Chemist's Office by July 30, 2012.

I'll leave Kevin's contact information out of this blog post as it is on the form. For the form and additional information you can go to the following link: Indiana Clean Sweep Project.

This is an excellent opportunity to dispose of excess, unwanted pesticides. If you can't access the planning form online, stop by the Extension Office for a copy.