2024 Louisiana Corn Yields Up From 2023
The run of dry weather will allow for Louisiana corn producers to complete their harvest this week and yields are way up over last year when the state suffered through a historic drought. Last year farmers averaged 175 bushels per acre. LSU AgCenter Corn and Cotton Specialist Shelly Pate Kerns says production is higher this year.
“In northeast Louisiana, we’ve been cutting anywhere from 180 to 200 about. I went down to central Louisiana yesterday, and I got a report of 240, and that’s pretty much the highest that I’ve heard,” Kerns said.
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Walking & Talking Fields: August 19, 2024
It’s dry…we went from the end of July when we were trying to look for a break in the rains to now where we’re looking for a rain. We’re trying to finish out the last of these crops, and it’s not going easy.
It depends on where you’re at, on how the crops are looking…the late planted beans are looking really good, but this dry weather, as they move into pod filling stages, is really taking a toll on them. A really good rain would really set this crop up for a good finish.
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Concordia Harvest Season Underway
Harvest season is officially underway, and early reports indicate a successful growing year for local farmers, according to Kylie Cater Miller, LSU AgCenter extension associate.
The corn crop was planted on time and benefited from ample rainfall, resulting in good yields this season.
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Walking And Talking Fields August 12, 2024
Things are looking pretty good…we’re in the middle of a dry spell right now, which is great for corn harvest, great for wrapping up a cotton crop right now. Soybeans are needing some water, but as long as we’ve got irrigation, we’ll hang in the game a little while. As mentioned, corn harvest is getting into full swing, most everybody’s going to at least get started this week, and there are those who have been started, primarily south of I-20 for the last 10 days or so.
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Crop Market Report - August 2024
This report contains supply and demand use estimates for the corn, soybean, rice, and cotton markets.
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USDA Forecasts US Corn Production Down and Soybean Production Up From 2023
The Crop Production report issued by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) forecasted corn production down from 2023 and soybean production up from last year. Corn production is down 1% from last year, forecast at 15.1 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to increase their production 10% from 2023, forecast at a record high 4.59 billion bushels.
Average corn yield is forecast at record high 183.1 bushels per acre, up 5.8 bushels from last year. NASS also forecasts record high yields in Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin. As of Aug. 4, 67% of this year’s corn crop was reported in good or excellent condition, 10 percentage points above the same time last year.
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Congressman Carter, Flood Lead Bipartisan Coalition to Introduce the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Information Act
Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congressman Mike Flood (R-NE) introduced the bipartisan Sustainable Aviation Fuel Information Act. This bill directs the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA) to include Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on their weekly and monthly reports, consistent with other fuel types that the agency regularly tracks.
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Louisiana Crops Newsletter: August, 2024
As the cotton season progresses in Louisiana, there have been several reports of potassium deficiency. Potassium deficiency can weaken the plant, making it easier for plant pathogens to attack. It is very common to see fungal leaf spots on potassium stressed plants. Although pre-mature defoliation due to disease is possible, it is most likely the nutrient deficiency that is the leaf-dropping culprit.
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Bill Introduced to Provide More Reports on Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is introducing a bill that would require the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to provide more weekly and monthly reports on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production.
Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., and Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., introduced the bill Sustainable Aviation Fuel Information Act with four other co-sponsors. The bill would require the more SAF weekly and monthly reports consistent with other reports published by the EIA.
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Yes, 24-Hour Corn Vending Machines in Louisiana Are a Real Thing
Do you ever wish that you could grab corn on the go at any hour, 24-7, day or night? If you're in Louisiana, I'm here to tell you that you're in luck.
While some Louisianans are just discovering them, 24-hour corn vending machines have been around since at least 2020, providing a unique convenience for hunters and farmers alike. Mitch Rabalais recently shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) highlighting a corn vending machine in Rayville, Louisiana, bringing renewed attention to this practical solution that aligns perfectly with the state's outdoor culture.
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Hurricane Preparation and Recovery Guides for Louisiana Producers
Louisiana agriculture generates approximately $3 billion in sales each year, but in most years agricultural productivity is negatively affected by hurricane damage. Louisianans are familiar with the devastation and loss of life and property that can accompany a hurricane event as the state experiences, on average, one hurricane every three years. The total economic losses from a single hurricane can reach tens of billions of dollars, while agricultural losses can exceed one billion dollars. Louisiana is a major agricultural producer for the United States, but the structures, livestock, and crops are highly exposed to extreme wind and flooding during hurricane events.
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LACA Walking And Talking Fields: July 2024
In the 11 coastal parishes we consult in, lack of rainfall has not been a problem. Many areas have already exceeded the mean annual rainfall accumulation, and it’s not even August. We have already in some areas received in excess of 65 inches, so we are certainly experiencing the opposite of what we dealt with last year.
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Pinnacle-Backed Viserion Grain Company Acquires Four Grain Elevator Assets from Greenfield Grain
Pinnacle Asset Management, L.P., a New York-based alternative asset management firm focused on global commodities markets, today announced that its portfolio company Viserion Grain, LLC, a subsidiary of global agricultural merchant Viserion International Holdco, LLC, has acquired four grain elevator assets from Greenfield Grain, LLC. The assets are located in Parkdale, Arkansas, and Dunn, Crowville, and Lake Providence, Louisiana. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
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Corn Standoff: When Could U.S. Growers Have an Answer on Mexico’s GMO Corn Ban?
The ongoing dispute with Mexico over genetically engineered corn has been a significant issue for some time.
U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Doug McKalip reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to resolving the issue, expecting a decision this fall. The dispute began after Mexico’s plan to block genetically engineered corn imports triggered concerns among U.S. corn growers. McKalip emphasized the broader impact on ag trade saying, “We cannot allow trading partners to play loose with the science.”
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Bear Crop Damage Locally Minimal
Crop damage caused from bears in Franklin Parish was minimal.
This was the assessment given by Johnny Berry, large carnivore biologist for Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to Police Jury members at their regular monthly meeting held on Thursday, July 11.
The number one crop, according to Berry, that suffers bear damage is corn with wheat being second most damaged crop in Louisiana.
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