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Kentucky
Department of Agriculture |
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Soybeans
and corn monthly market update.
Soybean
prices have been supported at historically high levels for the
past several months due in part to a very small
U.S.
harvest
last fall. Last summer most forecasters were expecting a crop
size of 2.85 billion bushels or more and there was talk of a 3
billion bushel plus harvest. The crop size is now officially
listed at just over 2.4 billion bushels. This 400-500
million-bushel shortfall compared to both expectations and
recent production history has clearly been a major factor in
price strength this fall and winter. However, use rates both
domestically and for export of whole soybeans has been very
robust in the face of much stronger prices. There are not
enough soybeans in the
U.S.
to
sustain use rates for the remainder of the marketing year,
i.e. the next 6 months, at the pace soybeans have been
consumed during the first half of the marketing season.
Another important factor in the soybean price equation has
been the expectation that
South
America
would
produce yet another record soybean harvest. |
 Warning:
A new Soybean rust... |
The rust is
expected to arrive in the
U.S.
sometime over the
next 3-5 years. Will likely enter the
U.S.
via the southern
soybean route, but it could enter via a port. Authorities
expect soybean rust to spread rapidly the season following
introduction of the disease into the U.S. Symptoms begin to
show up towards the end of crop flowering. Pathogen first
establishes in lower canopy and then moves up, often in the
wake of thunder storm activity. Favored by high humidity and
moderate temperatures; hot, dry and dry conditions stop
disease progress. Time elapsed from the first symptoms to
complete defoliation is 2-3 weeks (if no fungicides applied).
Crop stress following infection increases the speed of
defoliation.
Click
here for full story.
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USDA
ANNOUNCES 2004 LOAN RATES FOR CORN, GRAIN SORGHUM AND
SOYBEANS
WASHINGTON
,
Feb. 5, 2004
-- The U.S.
Department of Agriculture
today announced the 2004 national and county loan
rates for corn, grain sorghum and soybeans, as
authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill.
"This is the earliest we have announced
the marketing assistance loan rates for these
commodities," nsaid Veneman.
"This exemplifies our commitment to
providing timely information to enable producers to
better utilize these programs in their planting and
marketing decisions."
The 2004 county loan rates announced today also
continue the market-oriented approach established in
2002 following enactment of the Farm Bill.
The relative levels of the county loan rates
for each commodity reflect the most recent information
available about price relationships around the country
and will enhance the market orientation of the corn,
grain sorghum and soybean loan and loan deficiency
payment (LDP) programs.
In establishing this year's rates, USDA
continued to focus special attention on minimizing
neighboring-county loan rate variances that are not
justified by current market forces. Click
here for full story.
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Biological
Clocks "Wake Up" Plants
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| Animal behavior has previously
been shown to be shaped by 24-hour circadian rhythms
that govern biological processes. Now scientists have
found that these "biological clocks" exist
in plants as well. |
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Tobacco
Pesticide Labels links
to the most commonly used products
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U.S.
Obesity Trends 1985 to 2002.
During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic
increase in obesity in the United States. In 1985 only
a few states were participating in CDC's Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and providing
obesity data. In 1991, four states were reporting
obesity prevalence rates of 15–19 percent and no
states reported rates at or above 20 percent. In 2002,
20 states have obesity prevalence rates of 15–19
percent; 29 states have rates of 20–24 percent; and
one state reports a rate over 25 percent.
Click
here for full story.
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Spring
Mowing Most Important Of Year-Long Lawn Duties
It’s difficult to envision mowing your lawn
this spring when frost or snow greets you nearly every
morning. Yet that first spring mowing, usually in late
March, begins your most important annual lawn duties.
The first mowing makes the lawn look spring-like and
very attractive. Subsequent regular mowing hardens the
grass for drought and heat stresses later on. So when
the first clump of grass grows above the mowing
height, mow, even if a lot of the yard doesn’t need
to be mowed yet. Not all grasses start growing at the
same time. Grass on northern slopes, or in heavy clay
soil, will start growing several days later than
normal. Grass
that wasn’t fertilized in the fall or early spring
also has a delayed growth.
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KSU
small Farm Program
Provides
one-on-one educational assistance to limited-resources
small farmers. Participating farmers are taught
decision-making skills, production practices,
marketing skills, and are encouraged to utilize
sustainable farming techniques.
Click
here for full story.
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More
KSU news...
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USDA
ANNOUNCES
2004 LOAN RATES FOR CORN, GRAIN SORGHUM AND SOYBEANS
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![[Link to USDA 2002 Farm Bill Web Page]](farmbill2002logosm.gif)
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Farm
Loan Programs
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FSA
makes direct and guaranteed farm
ownership (FO) and operating loans (OL)
to family-size farmers and ranchers
who cannot obtain commercial credit
from a bank, Farm Credit System
institution, or other lender.
FSA loans can be used to purchase
land, livestock, equipment, feed,
seed, and supplies. Our loans
can also be used to construct
buildings or make farm improvements.
See our loan
information chart which describes
maximum loan amounts, rates, term, and
use of proceeds. Many FSA loan
application forms are available on our
website! We also encourage you
to contact your local
office or USDA Service Center to
learn more about our programs and the
information you will need for a
complete application.
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Changes in the
County
Model
Programs.
At its February meeting, the
Agricultural Development Board made changes to the
eight (8) county model programs.
Detailed changes are posted on the web site http://agpolicy.ky.gov/.
Also, the Board has proposed an optional reduced match
for model programs - this will be at the discretion of
the county council and can vary from program to
program. I
will let you know the specifics once I know them.
Ag Diversification.
"Mushroom" and "edamame" added to
A. Commercial Vegetable and Herb Production;
"bird netting for fruit production" added to
B. Commercial Fruit and Sorghum; equipment and
materials necessary for pond aeration add to F.
Commercial Aquaculture Production; cost-share items
(forest mgmt. fencing and professional consultation
fees) added to Silviculture; swine production added as
an investment area. Cattle Genetics
- Limits placed on the number of bulls and or the
total dollars one could receive for the lifetime of
this program (retroactive to the beginning of the
program). Fencing - Clarification
that the program is only for boundary fencing;
Clarification that gates are not eligible; Conditions
for reimbursement of labor expenses stated; One time
limit removed, but lifetime maximum set. Forage
- Revised rotational grazing cost-share items to
include barbed wire or woven wire fencing; Guidelines
for shared-use equipment clarified; The term
"temporary fencing" changed to
"interior fencing." Goat
- Dairy facilities added; Breeding Soundness Exam
defined; Provision made for new goat handling
structures where no buildings exist for renovation. Handling
- Funding limits for each section eliminated, with the
overall cost-share limit clarified; Guidelines for
shared-use equipment clarified. Hay, Straw
& Commodity - Filter fabric pads
added; One time limit removed, but lifetime maximum
set. On-farm Water - Permanent
waterers and fencing for water source added; Language
clarifying cost-share on labor added; One time limit
removed, but lifetime maximum set.
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Jefferson
County Agricultural Development Fund Level Account
Activity- 1/16/04.
Funds
Cumulative
Total $ 85,475.12
Commitments:
$ 43,600.00
Administration:
$ 1,034.00
County
Balance
: $ 40,841.12
KY
Ag Development Fund Update monthly electronic
newsletter in now on-line at:
http://www.kyagpolicy.com
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