Tag: wheat

January 2022 Grain Market Report

Dale Johnson, Farm Management Specialist
University of Maryland

Information from USDA WASDE report

Attached is the summary for the January 2022 WASDE.

Corn

2021/22 harvested acres estimate was increased by 300,000 acres which increased production and supply estimate by 52 million bushel. On the demand side there were minor adjustments with the net effect of a demand estimate increase of 5 million bushel. The result of these supply and demand estimates was an increase in ending stocks of 47 million bushels increasing the stocks-to-use ratio to 10.4% from 10.1 in December. March 2022 futures increased from $5.92 on December 9 to peaked at $6.18 on December 28 and close at $5.99 on January 12.

Soybeans

There were minor adjustments in soybean supply and demand estimates resulting in an increase of ending stocks estimate of 10 million bushels and an increase in the stocks-to-use ratio from 7.8% to 8.0 %. January 2022 futures price increased dramatically from $12.65 on December 9 to close at $13.91 on January 12.

Wheat

On the supply side, wheat import estimate was decreased by 10 million bushel. On the demand side, Feed and Residual estimate was decreased by 25 million bushel and export estimate was decreased by 15 million bushels. The net effect of supply and demand adjustments was an increase in ending stocks of 30 million bushel. The stocks-to-use ratio increased from 29.9% to 32%. December futures decreased from $7.77 on December 9 to $7.58 on January 12.

Register For The 2022 Virtual Agronomy Meeting

10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

This meeting will cover timely topics related to corn, soybean, and small grain production in Maryland. Hear from University of Maryland and other regional experts covering topics, such as:

  • Weed management with a limited toolbox
  • Hedging your bets to maximize profitability of fungicides on corn and soybeans
  • Agriculture leasing and agriculture law update
  • Corn nitrogen use following cover crops
  • Soil fertility and 4R

This meeting satisfies credits for pesticide applicator and nutrient management voucher renewals.

Register online: https://go.umd.edu/virtualagronomymeeting

October 2021 Grain Market Report

Dale Johnson, Farm Management Specialist
University of Maryland

Information from USDA WASDE report

Attached is the summary for the September 2021 WASDE.

Corn

2021/22 yield estimate was increased by 0.2 bushel per acre. The beginning supply estimate was adjusted up 49 million bushel. The net effect of these adjustments on estimated supply was an increase of 72 million bushel. On the demand side there were minor adjustments with the net effect of a decrease of 20 million bushel. The result of these supply and demand estimates was an increase in ending stocks of 92 million bushels and an increase in the stocks to use ratio from 9.5% to 10.1%. December futures peaked at $5.49 on September 30 but settled back at $5.22 on October 12.

Soybeans

2021/22 yield estimate was increased by 0.9 bushel per acre . The beginning supply estimate was adjusted up by 80 million bushel. Imports were adjusted down 10 million bushel. The net effect of these adjustments on estimated supply was an increase of 145 million bushel. Crushings were adjusted up 10 million bushels and residual was adjusted up 1 million bushel. The Net effect of all adjustments was an increase of 135 million bushels in ending stocks and increase in the stocks to use ratio from 4.2% to 7.3 %. November futures prices on June 10 closed at $14.59. November futures peaked at $13.08 on September 16 and  trended down to settle at $11.98 on October 12.

Wheat

There were small adjustments and demand and supply categories resulting in a net effect of a 35 million bushel decrease in ending stocks decreasing the ending stocks-to-use ratio from 29.8% to 28.5%. December futures peaked at $7.64 on October 4 then declined to settle at $7.34 on October 12.

2020-2021 Forage Performance of Cereal Cover Crops in Maryland

Dr. Nicole Fiorellino – Extension Agronomist
Louis Thorne – Faculty Specialist
Joseph Crank – Agriculture Technician Supervisor

Click here to download a pdf copy

Dairy farmers are constantly looking for sources of forage to meet their feed needs. One source that many of our region’s dairy farmers utilize is the fall planting of cereal grains that are green-chop harvested the following spring. Among the cereal species used for this purpose are rye, triticale, barley, and wheat. Per the Maryland Cover Crop Program guidelines, cereal grains planted as a cover crop prior to November 5 and suppressed via green-chop in the spring are eligible for the grant payment for participation in the Cover Crop Program.  In addition, per the Nutrient Management Regulations, a fall application of dairy manure is allowed to a field planted to a cereal cover crop.

Planting a cereal cover crop that will be green chop harvested fits well into the crop rotation used by many dairy farmers. The scenario that many follow is to plant the cereal cover crop following harvest of corn silage. Prior to planting the cover crop, an application of manure is made to the field. The subsequent planting of the cover crop provides incorporation of the manure into the soil. The fall and spring growth of the cover crop is supplied nutrients from the manure. At the same time, the cover crop provides protection to the soil from loss of nutrients via leaching and/or erosion. The objective of this study was to evaluate select varieties of cereal species for cover crop performance and forage production and quality.

Cereal varieties (26) representing three species (rye, triticale, wheat) were evaluated at Central Maryland Research and Education Center – Clarksville Facility. Three replications for each entry were planted using a randomized complete block experimental design.  Planting date was November 5, 2020. Planting was delayed in 2020 due to multiple large rain events that kept equipment out of the field. The 3’ X 18’ plots were planted with a small plot planter with 6-inch spacing between each of the 7 rows. The germination percentage for each entry was used to calculate the seeding rate needed to establish 1.5 million seedlings. Good stands were established in most plots by late fall.

Our goal each year is to time spring biomass harvest with when entries reach late boot to early heading stage of development. We reached this growth stage from late April to mid May in 2021, with three harvest dates to capture the variation in maturity (April 20, May 4, May 14). Each harvest sample was collected by cutting the plants just above ground-level from three center rows of each plot from an area 2.5 feet in length and from two areas within the plot. The samples were placed into cloth bags and dried using a forced air dryer set at 60o C where they remained until sample water content was zero. Each sample was weighed and is reported as pounds of dry matter production per acre (Table 1). Each of the dried samples was ground through a 20-mesh screen using a large plant grinder and the ground biomass samples were sent to Cumberland Valley Analytical Laboratory for standard forage quality analysis.

Cover crop performance is measured by amount of biomass produced and the concentration of nitrogen (N) in the biomass. These two factors were used to estimate N uptake (Table 1). Despite late planting 2020, all varieties amassed good biomass during the growing season. Nitrogen uptake in 2021 was lower than in 2020, but still good, with only two varieties significantly different from the overall mean (one greater, one less). Several forage quality characteristics for these cereals were measured (Table 1). The descriptions of the various quality characteristics are described here and in the footnotes at the bottom of Table 1. Crude protein (CP) is the N content of the forage, with higher protein representing better feed quality. This value was used to calculate nitrogen uptake of each variety (Nitrogen content = % CP/6.25). Three rye varieties (Aroostook, TriCal Exp 19R01, and the check variety) had significantly greater CP than overall mean, with two triticale varieties (BCT 19004 and Hi Octane) having significantly less CP than the overall mean. Both Aroostook and TriCal Exp 19R01 also had soluble protein and rumen degradable protein (RDP) significantly greater than the overall mean.

Neutral and acid detergent fiber (NDF, ADF) are measures of feed value and represent the less digestible components of the plant, with NDF representing total fiber and ADF representing the least digestible plant components. Low NDF and ADF values representing increased digestibility; ideally NDF values should be <50% and ADF values should be <35%. Our plots were slightly more mature than ideal this year, with overall mean NDF of 60.2% and ADF of 36%. Despite this, one rye variety (KWS Propower) had ADF significantly less than the mean and both Aroostook and TriCal Exp 19R01 had ADF numerically less than 35%, although they likely would have ADF similar to the overall mean of 36%. Aroostook and TriCal Exp 19R01 also had total digestible nutrients (TDN), net energy for lactation (NEL) significantly greater than the overall mean, indicating good performing varieties. Some good performing wheat varieties included LW2068 and LW2958, which had lower ADF values, low NDF values, high TDN and NEL.

The characteristic that best captures the overall forage quality performance is Relative Feed Value (RFV). An RFV of 100 is defined as the forage value that full bloom alfalfa would have. Two triticale varieties (KWS Propower and Aroostook) had RFV significantly greater than the overall mean (95.0) and over 100. TriCal Exp 19R01 had RFV similar to the overall mean, but combined with the other forage quality factors indicate a good performing triticale variety. Three wheat varieties (LW2068, LW2958, Pioneer 25R25) had RFV significantly greater than the overall mean, and combined with other forage quality factors, indicate good performing wheat varieties.

Though none of these green-chop cereal forages are considered to be adequate as a stand-alone feed for a dairy operation, they can supply a source of forage used in a total mixed ration at the time of year when feed supply may be running short. When this forage benefit is added to the environmental benefit that is gained, planting winter cereal cover crops on a dairy farm can be a win-win decision.

Acknowledgements

This work could not be accomplished without the assistance and oversight of all field operations by Mr. Louis Thorne and Mr. Joseph Crank. We acknowledge the assistance of Ms. Shana Burke with seed packaging and harvested sample drying and weighing.

Table 1. Forage and cover crop performance of cereal species evaluated in Clarksville, MD during 2020-2021 growing season.

Variety Species Brand Biomass Yield

lb DM/a

 Head

Date

 1Nitrogen

Uptake

lb N/a

 2Crude

Protein %

 3Soluble Protein

% DM

 4RDP

% DM

 5ADF

% DM

 6NDF

% DM

 7Ash

% DM

 8Total

Digestible

Nutrients

% DM

 9Net

Energy

Lactation

(Mcal/lb)

 10RFV
Wheeler Rye TriCal 13241 May 9 266* 12.5 6.0 9.3 38.5 60.7 6.2 60.1 0.61 90.0
Hazlet Rye TriCal 10736 May 6 202 11.5 4.9 8.2 36.4 61.3 6.8 60.1 0.61 92.2
KWS Propower Rye TriCal 9412 May 9 182 12.5 6.9* 9.7* 32.2 57.5 6.5 62.8* 0.64* 104.2*
Aroostook Rye TriCal 8117# April 25 211 16.7* 7.0* 11.9* 34.7 55.4 8.6* 62.1 0.63 104.5*
TriCal Exp 19R01 Rye TriCal 8251 April 25 197 14.8* 6.8* 10.8* 34.2 57.4 7.3 62.0 0.63 101.0
Rye VNS Rye check 10065 May 4 240 15.1* 5.5 10.3* 35.4 55.8 7.9* 61.8 0.63 102.5
Rye Mean 9970 May 3 216 13.9 6.2 10.0 35.2 58.0 7.2 61.5 0.63 99.1
TriCal Gunner Triticale TriCal 11936 May 14 176 9.2 4.2 6.7 39.1* 63.6* 7.2 58.2 0.59 85.7
TriCal Exp 20T02 Triticale TriCal 12531 May 14 186 9.3 3.1 6.2 37.2 62.1 6.1 59.4 0.60 90.0
TriCal Flex 719 Triticale TriCal 12329 May 14 205 10.4 5.4 7.9 41.7* 65.8* 7.0 56.2 0.57 80.0
TriCal Merlin Max Triticale TriCal 14641* May 14 233 9.9 5.7 7.8 41.4* 65.5* 6.4 56.0 0.57 81.0
TriCal Surge Triticale TriCal 10535 May 14 188 11.1 5.1 8.1 37.0 61.0 6.9 57.9 0.59 92.0
TriCal Gainer 154 Triticale TriCal 10458 May 6 176 10.4 4.2 7.3 32.7 58.0 6.9 61.8 0.63 101.7
TriCal Thor Triticale TriCal 12646 May 14 196 9.7 4.8 7.2 39.9* 64.6* 6.8 57.8 0.59 84.0
BCT18001 Triticale SeedLink 8817 May 6 172 12.4 4.6 8.5 33.0 55.6 7.3 63.6* 0.65* 106.0*
BCT18002 Triticale SeedLink 11878 May 14 186 9.9 5.3 7.6 38.3 64.5* 7.1 56.6 0.57 85.5
BCT19003 Triticale SeedLink 13001 May 14 204 9.8 3.5 6.6 36.3 61.5 5.5 60.1 0.61 92.0
BCT19004 Triticale SeedLink 15064* May 14 208 8.6 3.7 6.1 42.6* 67.6* 5.5 55.9 0.57 77.0
BCT19005 Triticale SeedLink 12406 May 14 209 10.7 5.5 8.1 35.5 61.9 5.9 60.2 0.61 92.2
BCT19007 Triticale SeedLink 13500 May 14 199 9.2 3.3 6.2 37.4 62.7 6.9 58.3 0.59 88.7
MBX Tri-Cow Arcia Triticale Eddie Mercer 11849 May 6 242 12.8 5.6 9.2 35.7 60.8 7.4 60.5 0.62 93.5
Hi Octane Triticale check 10957 May 14 139 8.1 4.1 6.1 40.2* 63.5 6.5 57.0 0.58 85.2
Triticale Mean 12170 May 12 195 10.1 4.5 7.3 37.9 62.6 6.6 58.6 0.60 89.0
LW2169 Wheat Local Seed 10554 May 14 172 10.2 4.7 7.5 33.9 58.6 5.2 61.9 0.63 99.3
LW2148 Wheat Local Seed 10410 May 14 180 10.8 5.1 8.0 32.0 56.7 6.0 61.3 0.63 105.5*
LW2068 Wheat Local Seed 12300 May 14 205 10.4 5.8 8.1 30.7 54.4 5.7 63.2* 0.65* 111.5*
LW2958 Wheat Local Seed 10679 May 14 172 10.2 4.7 7.4 30.1 45.6 5.8 63.8* 0.66* 111.2*
P25R25 Wheat check 11274 May 14 177 9.8 4.8 7.3 30.0 53.3 5.8 64.1 0.66* 115.0*
Wheat Mean 11069 May 14 182 10.3 5.0 7.7 31.2 55.4 5.7 62.9 0.64 109.0
Overall Mean 11454 May 10 197 11.0 5.0 8.0 36.0 60.2 6.6 60.1 0.61 95.0
LSD0.1 2257 <1 day 47 1.9 1.8 1.6 3.1 3.4 1.1 2.4 0.03 8.8

*,# Indicates the entry was either significantly greater (*) or significantly (#) less than the overall mean for that feed characteristic.

1Nitrogen uptake (lb N/acre) for each entry was estimated by multiplying the lb DM/ac X % nitrogen contained in the DM. The percent nitrogen for each entry was calculated by dividing crude protein by the conversion factor 6.25 which is the average amount of nitrogen (%) contained in protein.

2Crude Protein %: represents total nitrogen content of the forage; higher protein is usually associated with better feed quality.

3Soluble Protein %: non-protein N and portion of true proteins that are readily degraded to ammonia in the rumen.

4RDP (Rumen Degradable Protein): portion of crude protein that microbes can either digest or degrade to ammonia and amino acids in the rumen.

5ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber): represents the least digestible fiber portion of forage; the lower the ADF value the greater the digestibility.

6NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber): insoluble fraction of forage used to estimate the total fiber constituents of a feedstock.

7Ash: mineral elements of the forage.

8TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients): measure of the energy value of the forage.

9Net Energy Lactation: estimate of the energy in a feed used for maintenance plus lactation during milk production.

10RFV (Relative Feed Value): indicates how well an animal will eat and digest a forage if it is fed as the only source of energy.

September 2021 Grain Market Report

Dale Johnson, Farm Management Specialist
University of Maryland

Information from USDA WASDE report

Attached is the summary for the September 2021 WASDE.

Corn

2021/22 harvest acres projection was increased by 600,000 acres and yield estimate was increased by 1.7 bushel per acre. The beginning supply estimate was adjusted up 70 million bushel. The net effect of these adjustments on estimated supply was an increase of 316 million bushel. On the demand side, feed & residual estimate was increased by 75 million bushel and export estimate was increased by 75 million bushel. The result of these supply and demand estimates was an increase in ending stocks of 166 million bushels and an increase in the stocks to use ratio from 8.5% to 9.5%. December futures have declined from a high of $5.94 per bushel in August to close at $5.18 today.

Soybeans

2021/22 harvest acres projection was decreased 300,000 acres and yield estimate was increased by 0.6 bushel per acre . The beginning supply estimate was adjusted up 15 million bushel. Imports were adjusted down 10 million bushel. The net effect of these adjustments on estimated supply was an increase of 41 million bushel. Crushings were adjusted down 25 million bushels and exports were adjusted up 35 million bushel. The Net effect of all adjustments was an increase of 30 million bushels in ending stocks and increase in the stocks to use ratio from 3.5% to 4.2 %.   November futures prices on June 10 closed at $14.59. November futures trended down from a high of $13.80 in August to close at $12.86 today.

Wheat

There were small adjustments in and demand categories resulting in a net effect of a 50 million bushel decrease in ending stocks decreasing the ending stocks-to-use ratio from 32.1% in August to 29.8%. December futures have followed corn and soybean prices down from a high of $7.87 per bushel in August to close at $6.89 today.

2021 Maryland Small Grain Variety Trials

Results from the University of Maryland Small Grain Variety Trials are in the tables below. To download a pdf copy of the report, click here or visit https://psla.umd.edu/extension/md-crops/small-grains-maryland.

For questions regarding the small grain trials, contact Dr. Vijay Tiwari (vktiwari@umd.edu) or Dr. Nidhi Rawat (nidhirwt@umd.edu).

If you’d like to learn more about how to interpret variety trial data, view our fact sheet by clicking here.

Click to Download The 2021 Small Grain Variety Trials

 

 

June 2021 Grain Market Report

Dale Johnson, Farm Management Specialist
University of Maryland

Information from USDA WASDE report

Attached is the summary for the June 2021 WASDE.

Corn

The only change in 21/22 corn estimates was a negative adjustment of 150 million additional bushels in the Ending 20/21/Beginning 21/22 stocks. This decreased the 21/22 ending stocks 150 million bushels and increased the estimated stocks to use ratio from 10.2% in May to 9.2% in June. December futures prices on May 12 closed at $5.93. Prices through May declined to a low of $5.23 on May 26 but have since rebounded and closed at $6.15 on June 10.

Soybeans

The only change in 21/22 soybean estimates was an adjustment of 15 million additional bushels in the Ending 20/21/Beginning 21/22 stocks. This increased the 21/22 ending stocks 15 million bushels and increased the estimated stocks to use ratio from 3.2% in May to 3.5% in June. November futures prices on May 12 closed at $14.44. Prices through May declined to a low of $13.26 on May 26 but have since rebounded and closed at $14.59 on June 10.

Wheat

21/22 Wheat yield estimates were increased 0.7 bushels per acre which resulted in a 26 million bushel increase in production estimates. There was a 20 million bushel decrease in the Ending 20/21/Beginning 21/22 stocks estimate. Import estimates decreased 2 million bushel. On the demand side Feed & residual estimate was increased 10 million bushel. The net effect of all these estimate changes was a decrease of 4 million bushels in ending stock and a decrease in the stocks-to-use ratio from 36.9% in May to 36.6% in June. Nearby (July) prices on May 12 closed at $7.30. Prices through May declined to a low of $6.40 on May 26 but have since rebounded and closed at $6.83 on June 10.

Wheat Yields & Double-Crops—Time is Everything for Maximum Yields

Andrew Kness, Agriculture Agent | akness@umd.edu
University of Maryland Extension, Harford County

Combines will be rolling very soon to harvest wheat, soon followed by the planter to get double-crop soybeans in the ground. As you know, for both wheat and soybeans, time is of the essence to maximize yields. This article is intended to be a reminder of how important timely harvest and rapid planting are for a double-crop system.

For wheat, there is a growing body of data pointing to the importance of timely harvest. While wheat needs to be at about 12% moisture for storage, waiting to field-dry and harvest wheat at 12-14% will likely cost you a considerable loss in yield due to reduced test weight. Several studies in the Mid-Atlantic region over the past few years demonstrate that harvesting wheat at 18-20% moisture can maximize yields; and for every day after 18% moisture, wheat yields decrease approximately 0.5-2.5%. Furthermore, research shows that if wheat experiences cycles of wetting and drying prior to harvest, vomitoxin levels in the grain can increase by nearly 1 ppm. This is more reason to harvest around 18-20% moisture, especially if you observe head blight symptoms in your fields. Of course, harvesting wheat at 18-20% does require you to have the ability to immediately dry the grain to 12%, or have a buyer willing to take high-moisture wheat and dry it (hopefully for a reasonable cost).

The second piece to the double-crop system is getting the soybeans in the ground as soon as possible. This can be tricky, especially if you are baling the straw. Ideally, the planters should be running the combines out of the field. For every day planting is delayed after mid-June, soybean yields decrease by roughly 1/2 bushel per day; and for every day after the end of June, expect about a 1-2 bushel per acre yield loss per day.

Scouting Fields for Fusarium Head Blight

Alyssa Koehler, Extension Field Crops Pathologist
University of Delaware

Most barley has made it past flowering, with wheat fields approaching anthesis. Over the past few weeks we have remained at low risk for Fusarium head blight (FHB) http://wheatscab.psu.edu/. There have been some rain events this week, and we will keep an eye on the model over the next 1-2 weeks. The recommended stage for fungicide application is when 50% of main tillers are flowering (yellow anthers visible) until 4-5 days after. Once wheat has flowered, symptoms of FHB are visible in 18-24 days, but cool weather can slow symptom development. Heads with FHB will have bleached florets or bleached sections of the head (Figure 1) and may have pink growth on spikelets. Glume blotch may also be present, but typically has more of a grey appearance. You can follow these steps to assess the level of FHB present in your field.

Wheat infected with fusarium
Figure 1. Symptoms of Fusarium head blight on wheat. Image: A. Koehler, Univ. of Delaware.
  1. For every 10 acres of field, randomly select one spot to survey.
  2. Keeping your line of sight above the wheat heads, walk 40-50 yards and randomly pick 10-20 heads to look at on the plant or detach and place into a bag. (You don’t want to be looking down and biasing the heads you select).
  3. Once you have randomly collected the heads, rate the percent of each head with symptoms of FHB (bleaching or pink growth on spikelets).
  4. After you have recorded values for each head, determine the average percent FHB severity by dividing the sum of disease severities by the total number of heads collected.

(Ex. You rate 10 heads with severity values: 0, 10, 30, 0, 0, 20, 10, 0, 0, 0. These add up to 70. 70/10 heads = 7% FHB severity).

Higher levels of FHB are typically associated with elevated levels of DON and possible issues with yield and test weight. It is possible to have delayed or lower levels of symptoms and still have DON.

  1. Repeat this assessment as needed to get an overall rating for the field. Fields with greater than 10% FHB severity are at higher risk for yield losses or elevated DON. Fields with elevated DON should be harvested as early as possible and you may want to consider increasing combine fan speeds and shutter openings to reduce the amount of scabby kernels harvested.