5-23 0830 Harold House

Early Livestock:

Live and feeder contracts are set to begin moderately lower, pressured by follow-through selling and cash nervousness. Hog futures should also start out some lower as specs and commercials take profits in the wake of Wednesday’s rally.

Cattle:     Cash: Steady-$1 Lower     Futures: 10-30 Lower    Live Equiv.  $142.27 + 0.03

Texas and Kanas reported light to moderate cattle trading Wednesday. The big question is now whether yesterday’s action represented enough of a crack in general feedlot psychology to essentially set the cash trend for the week. Look for packer bids this morning to start out around $123-$124 in Kansas and Texas and $200 in Nebraska. Asking prices should be restated around $126-plus in the South and $203-205 in the North. It’s certainly possible that further business will be delayed until Friday. Live and feeder futures should open some lower, pressured by residual selling and uncertain cash potential.

Hogs:       Cash: $0.50 Lower     Futures: 10-30 Lower    Lean Equiv.  $101.35 + 0.65

Wednesday’s closing cash hog report was a strong one, full of lower dressed news on light volume but also containing news of higher live business with decent volume. The bullish live action is a sign that packers still need market hogs to complete the late-week slaughter schedule. Lean contracts are expected to start out a bit softer thanks to light profit taking.

Early Grains:

Soybeans led the initial rally in grains overnight with the July contract poking its head above the $15 mark. Wheat made a run at double-digit gains before easing off session highs, while corn spent the evening under light pressure.

Outside Markets:

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were under heavy pressure from continued reaction to Federal Reserve comments Wednesday, while a much stronger Japanese yen pushed the U.S. dollar index sharply lower. Gold and copper were higher and crude oil lower on weak manufacturing data out of China. The latter was also pointed at as a reason the rally cooled in the bean complex.

AllanHuddleston-WEB

Changes to SFCP

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service gave notice earlier this month in the Federal Register of changes to the Scrapie Flock Certification Program (SFCP), a voluntary program for sheep and goat flock owners who wish to reduce and/or eliminate the risk of introducing classical scrapie into their flocks.

In order to refocus the program’s risk reduction strategy on animal sampling, APHIS plans to eliminate the Complete Monitored category of the SFCP. This will affect all Complete Monitored and Certified flocks. Flock owners who are currently enrolled in the Complete Monitored or Certified category who wish to remain in the SFCP will be allowed to enroll in either the Select category or the Export category. This change allows APHIS to apply limited agency resources to areas that most effectively contribute to scrapie eradication, such as nationwide surveillance activities for the disease in sheep and goats.

APHIS will consider all comments received on or before June 3 regarding these proposed changes. To view the notice click here.

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

Online by visiting this link http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail

Or by mail, send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2012-0023, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737- 1238.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.

Alan Huddleston, Associate National

Scrapie Program Coordinator, National

Center for Animal Health Programs, VS,

APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 39,

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-3497.

Agricultural Summary

Farmers took advantage of the warm dry conditions to plant over two million acres. There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. This is the first week with over 2.1 days suitable for fieldwork since April 7^th.

Topsoil moisture supply was 4 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus.

Subsoil moisture supply was 10 short to very short, 83 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.

Spring tillage is right where it needs to be at 75 percent.

Field Crops Report

Corn planting saw the largest increase it has in a long time with a 42 point increase to now being 70 percent complete. This is 3-weeks behind last year and only 4 days behind normal.

The north-central, west-central, central, south-central districts increased over 50 points last week.

Corn emerged was just over two weeks behind normal at 27 percent complete.

Soybean planting was 13 percent complete, 16 days behind last year and 9 days behind normal. Soybeans were 1 percent emerged.

Winter wheat headed is now 70-percent complete. That’s about a month behind last year and only 3 days behind normal. Heading in the southern third of the state was nearing completion. The crop’s condition was rated 4 percent poor to very poor, 28 percent fair, and 68 percent good to 9 percent excellent.

Alfalfa hay 1st cutting seems to be on track with the normal pace at 16 percent.

Other hay cut was 6 percent, 24 days behind last year, and 6 days behind normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture conditions were 1 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 6 percent excellent.

Supply of hay and other roughages was 59 percent short to very short, 40 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Stock water supplies were just 1 percent short, 87 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were 5 to 10 degrees above average across the state. Precipitation averaged 0.15 of an inch statewide.

Click below to listen to KMZU’s Mandy Young talk with Harold House.

5-21 0830 Harold House

Early Livestock:

Live and feeder cattle contracts are set to open significantly higher, supported by follow-through buying and impressive corn planting progress. Lean hog futures should start out on a firm basis tied to the growing premium of the cash market.

Cattle:     Cash: Steady-$1 Lower     Futures: 50-100 Higher                Live Equiv.  $142.09 + 0.47

The cash cattle is not likely to get off the ground today with few packers willing to field even preliminary bids. Most feedlot managers should also remain tight-lipped. Generally speaking we assume asking prices should be around $127 in the South and $203-205 in the North. Significant trade volume will probably be delayed until the second half of the week. Live and feeder contracts should open moderately higher, supported by residual buying and confirmation of aggressive corn planting progress.

Hogs:       Cash: Steady-$0.50 Lower     Futures: 10-30 Higher    Lean Equiv.  $100.39 – 0.10

Hog buyers are expected to start work this morning with another round of higher bids. Market ready numbers continue to tighten, forcing packer spending regardless of the relative health of the dressed pork trade. While carcass value has been on a decent roll this month, it’s been hard-pressed to keep up with the rising cost of live inventory. Accordingly, it’s probably not surprising that Saturday kill plans may be close to zero. Lean futures are expected to begin on a firm basis thanks to spillover buying and likely cash strength.

Early Grains:

Soybeans pushed higher over the course of the overnight session, but were unable to hold gains through early Tuesday morning due to strong spillover pressure from the other grains and outside commodities.

Outside Markets:

The U.S. dollar index renewed its rally, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures posted small losses.

“We get a Crop Progress/Conditions report this afternoon,” says House. “Expectations are that corn planting may be as high 65% percent planted which will be almost one of the largest week to week increases seen in a long time.”

Click hear KMZU’s Mandy Young talk with Kansas City Trade Group’s Harold House:

5-20 0830 Harold House

Early Livestock:

Look for live and feeder contracts to start out moderately lower this morning, pressured by Friday’s confirmation of larger than expected April placement activity. On the other hand, lean hog futures seem ready to open on a mixed basis thanks to a combination of residual selling interest and positive fundamentals.

Cattle:     Cash: Steady-$1 Lower     Futures: 25-50 Lower       Live Equiv.  $141.62 – 0.07

In the past, the immediate business round before the long Memorial Day has been known to be rocky for the cash cattle and boxed beef market as buyers slip into slow motion to await the verdict of holiday demand and clearance. Positively, packer margins are outstanding and the late-spring supply of ready cattle remains relatively tight. Preliminary asking prices are likely to be around $127-plus in the South and $203-plus in the North. Live and feeder futures are set to open moderately lower, pressured by larger than expected April placement and technical selling.

Hogs:       Cash: Steady-$0.50 Lower     Futures: mixed    Lean Equiv.  $100.49 + 0.08

Hog buyers should start out this morning trying to save money in terms of live inventory and help flagging packer margins. Yet if the offering of ready barrows and gilts continues to tighten as suggested by the seasonal trend, buyers could soon be forced to resume greater spending in the country. Lean contracts appear to set to open on a mixed basis, torn between spillover selling and the recent strength of fundamentals.

Early Grains:

Commodities in general were under pressure once again, with only old-crop corn and soybeans, soybean meal, natural gas and assorted softs trading higher. Soybeans at the Dalian Exchange were higher while Malaysian palm oil contracts were mostly higher.

Outside Markets:

Heavy liquidation from investment traders continues to pressure the sector despite a modest sell-off in the U.S. dollar index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 121 points higher Friday at 15,354. The overnight crude oil market was $0.57 lower at $95.45 while Brent crude was $0.57 lower at $104.07.

Click to hear KMZU’s Mandy Young talk with MU Extension Agronomy Specialist Wayne Crook.

WayneCrook051613-Planting

Crook says that even though producers have gotten a slow start to this planting season, there’s still time to get their crop in the ground. “Accroding to the National Data Service 28 percent of the corn crop planted as of Monday. Normal is about 85 percent. But, the way things are going locally, everybody should be caught up this week.”

The insurance cutoff for corn planting is the 25^th of May.

PeterOrwick051613

ASI CONDUCTING 2013 SHEEP PHOTO CONTEST

 DENVER, Colo. – Attention all photographers: It is time to start thinking about  the American Sheep Industry Association’s (ASI) 2013 Photo Contest. The contest is open to all who wish to enter, which means you do not have to be involved in the U.S. sheep, lamb or wool industries to participate. The only rule is that your photograph must include sheep. Entries must be postmarked by Aug. 16, 2013.

Entries will be judged on clarity, content, composition and appeal. More than $1,000 will be awarded, with awards of $125 going to the grand-prize winner in each of the four categories listed below; $75 for the first runner-up in each category; and a $50 prize for the second runner-up in each of the four categories.

The winning photos will be highlighted in the October 2013 issue of Sheep Industry News and will be available on Oct. 1 at www.sheepindustrynews.org. Only the grand-prize winner, first runner-up and second runner-up in each category will be notified of their winnings.

Four categories:

1. Action – Photographs of activities such as shearing, wool classing/skirting/baling, moving/trailing sheep, lambing, tagging, feeding, etc.
2. Scenic (East) – Photographs of sheep outdoors located east of the Mississippi River. (Photos entered in this category cannot include people.)
3. Scenic (West) – Photographs of sheep outdoors located west of the Mississippi River. (Photos entered in this category cannot include people.)
4. Open Category – Photographs with subject matter that does not fall into the three above-listed categories.

Other Contest Rules:

1. ASI can use or reproduce all entries at the discretion of ASI. In addition, entries will not be returned.
2. ASI is not required to notify photographers when photos are used in materials.
3. Pictures can be submitted via hard copy or electronically.
4. All entries must be at least 3″x5″ color or black-and-white high-resolution pictures.
5. Entries must be submitted in the name of the person who took the photograph.
6. Entries are limited to two per category.
7. Only photographs that have been taken in the past six years can be entered.
8. Photographs submitted in previous ASI photo contests cannot be re-entered.

The following information needs to be included with each submission: title of photo; category (from the four listed above) into which it is being entered; photographer’s name; mailing address; phone number; email address; and approximate location/date of photo.

Entries should be mailed to: American Sheep Industry Association; Attn: Photo Contest; 9785 Maroon Circle, Suite 360; Englewood, CO 80112. Entries should be emailed to amy@sheepusa.org with the subject line of ASI Photo Contest.

ASI is the national trade organization supported by 46 state sheep associations, benefiting the interests of 80,000 sheep producers.

# # #

For More Information Contact:

Amy Trinidad (303) 771-3500, ext. 55, or amy@sheepusa.org

Click to hear KMZU’s Mandy Young talk with MU Extension Agronomy Specialist Wayne Crook:

WayneCrook-Black Cut Worm

Black Cutworm in Missouri

The black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Rottemburg), is a globally distributed species. Within the different regions of its home range it may have other common names: floodplain cutworm, greasy cutworm and overflow worm. Black cutworms have numerous plant hosts and may cause economic damage to seedling plants of corn, cotton, soybeans, turf grasses, vegetables (e.g., lettuce and tomato), wheat and other cultivated and wild plant species.

Description and life cycle

Although black cutworm moths can be found in Missouri for 10 months of the year, infestations during early spring months most likely originate from moths migrating northward from the Gulf Coast or Mexico. MU and Iowa State scientists have released marked moths in the spring from overwintering sites in Louisiana and Texas and recaptured them three to four days later in the central Corn Belt.

Adult moths are easily identified by the single, black, daggerlike mark on each forewing (Figure 1). Once the female moth has mated she may lay more than 1,000 yellowish-white eggs (singly or in clusters of 30 or less). Egg laying initially occurs during warm nights of late March and into April. The eggs are generally laid in low, wet areas of the field within thick stands of plants and close to the ground. Depending on the temperature, larvae hatch within three to 16 days. Black cutworm larvae have rough, grainy skin that ranges from light gray to black (Figure 2). The larvae go through six to seven stages (instars) and reach a maximum length of 1.5 to 2 inches. When disturbed the larvae will curl into a “C” shape and play dead until the danger has passed (Figure 3). This insect requires 35 to 50 days to complete a generation (egg to adult).

Figure 1
Black cutworm moth. Note black daggerlike marking on the forewings.

Figure 2
Grainy, rough skin texture of black cutworm.

Figure 3
Black cutworm larvae curl into a characteristic “C” shape when disturbed and play dead until the danger passes.

Damage

Stand loss from stem cutting is the most severe damage caused by black cutworm larvae. First-generation larvae cause the most crop damage in Missouri, but later planted crops may be susceptible to damage by second generation larvae. Cool temperatures and moist soil conditions can slow a plant’s growth and prolong its susceptibility to black cutworm feeding damage. As larvae increase in size, they become more destructive and may cut several plants in a single night. Plants may be cut above or below the soil surface (Figures 3 and 4). When soil conditions are dry, cutworm larvae frequently drag cut plants into their burrows.

Figure 4
Black cutworm damage to cotton. Note the cut seedling near the larva burrows in the row of cotton plants.

In corn, small cutworm larvae (third or smaller instars) also cause “shothole” feeding damage on the tender leaves of seedling plants. Older larvae may tunnel into the growing stalk and cause wilting (“dead heart”) later in the season (Figure 5).

Figure 5
Late feeding injury by black cutworm larva on corn. Note characteristic greasy appearance of larva.

Always read and understand the label before using any pesticide.

In cotton, black cutworm larvae may feed on foliage, roots and stems; however, the most severe damage is stand loss from cut plants.

In soybeans, larvae cut seedling plants below the cotyledon leaves. Even though it is an unusual pest in soybeans, infestations typically occur when cutworms are abundant also in corn.

Scouting procedures and techniques

In Missouri and Iowa, several years of research indicate that if cutworm damage occurs, it is due to larvae that were already present in the field at the time of planting; therefore, it is important to begin scouting at plant emergence.

Black cutworm larvae are difficult to detect because they are active mainly at night and hide beneath dirt clods, in soil cracks or in their burrows during the day. Examine 25 consecutive plants at each of 10 widely distributed areas in a field to determine cutting damage, larval size and feeding locations on the plant. It is helpful to dig around cut plants and underneath dirt clods to locate the larvae. Scouting in corn should continue until plants reach the 4- to 5-leaf stage; in other crops scouting should continue for at least two weeks after emergence.

Economic thresholds

Corn
Because the level of yield reduction is related to the site of injury on the seedling plants, different corn thresholds exist for damage above and below ground. Rescue insecticide treatments are recommended when 2 to 4 percent of the corn seedlings are cut below ground and 6 to 8 percent of the seedlings are fed upon or cut above ground. The smaller percent figure is for lower plant populations (15,000 to 20,000 per acre); whereas, the larger figure is for higher plant populations (22,000 or more per acre).

Cotton
The recommended threshold for rescue spot treatments in cotton is when plant stand counts are reduced to below three plants per row foot and live larvae are present. Cutworm infestations should be reported as a percentage of plants cut: light (1 to 5 percent), medium (5 to 15 percent), or heavy (more than 15 percent) when plant damage and significant stand reduction occur.

Soybeans
The recommended threshold for treating soybean fields is when 20 percent of the plants are cut, plant stand gaps are greater than 12 inches, and live larvae are present.

Management

Black cutworms and other cutworm species are a challenge to manage, especially under dry field conditions. The following practices may prove helpful in minimizing cutworm damage.

• When possible, avoid planting crops in fields with a history of cutworm damage.
• Avoid planting crops (especially corn) following long-standing pasture, meadow, alfalfa or red clover.
• Where conservation practices allow, shallow tillage in the fall or spring will help decrease late fall and early spring vegetative weed growth.
• Destroy cover vegetation a minimum of 14 days before planting your crops. Early destruction of alternative weed hosts will decrease the attractiveness of the field to migrating moths and increase larval mortality due to starvation.
• Monitor for cutworm activity and damage with visual field inspections for cut plants.

At-planting insecticide treatments are not generally recommended due to the sporadic nature of cutworm infestations. Instead, begin scouting fields at seedling emergence, and use “rescue” insecticide treatments only when the appropriate economic threshold is reached. The timing of rescue applications will depend on your best efforts to scout fields quickly and detect cutworm infestations. During years when cutworm infestations are numerous and field conditions are dry, it may prove difficult to control cutworms with insecticides.

Whether or not to replant a field that has been heavily damaged by black cutworms can be a tricky decision. Stand reductions of greater than 20 percent are a general baseline. Date of the original planting and percent stand loss also should factor into this decision. Later planting dates necessitate higher stand losses to offset the lower yield potential of replanted crops since the growing season is shorter. It is recommended to wait seven to 14 days after the original stand is destroyed before replanting when insecticides are not applied. This delay will provide time for the larvae to mature and pupate (nonfeeding stage).

The authors wish to thank Armon J. Keaster (MU Emeritus Professor of Entomology) and Maureen O’Day (MU) for earlier comments, contributions, and suggestions on this publication. We also wish to acknowledge Keaster’s many decades of service to MU and Missouri crop producers for his research contributions on black cutworm migration patterns, sampling practices, and management techniques.

G7112, new April 2002

Copyright 1993 to 2013 University of Missouri. Published by MU Extension, all rights reserved.

Click hear KMZU’s Mandy Young talk with Kansas City Trade Group’s Harold House:

5-17 0830 Harold House

Early Livestock:

Lean hog contracts seem geared to open moderately higher, supported by follow-through buying and a stronger carcass value. Live and feeder futures should open on a mixed basis as traders position ahead of cash and on feed news.

Cattle:     Cash: Steady-$1 Lower     Futures: mixed                 Live Equiv.  $141.69 + 0.19

The clock is running for short-bought cattle buyers and we expect to see moderate trade volume surface sometime between late morning and early afternoon. On one hand, profitable packers should have a vested interest in funding aggressive chain speed. On the other hand, buyers are hoping that the defensive psychology fostered by board discounts will help them maintain maximum margins. For their part, feedlot managers, still armed with firm asking prices of $127-plus in the South and $204-205 in the North, are betting that fed supplies remain tight enough to command the spending attention of needy packers. The May 1 on-feed report will be unveiled this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. (CDT). Average pre-trade guesses expected on feed to be 3-4% smaller; April placement to be 12% larger, and April marketing to be 3% greater. Live and feeder futures should start out on a mixed basis with specs and commercial cautiously jockeying ahead of cash news and the release of the on-feed report.

Hogs:       Cash: Steady-$0.50 Higher     Futures:  10-30 Higher   Lean  $100.41 + 1.43

Hog buyers have been chasing numbers all week. While they may have a slight chance to catch their breath coasting into the weekend, tightening supplies of ready barrows and gilts should warm them from lagging too far behind fully steady bids. As noted below, while dressed bids were a bit softer on Thursday, live bids were dollars higher. Saturday slaughter plans should total no more than 20,000 head. Lean contracts at the CME are set to start out moderately higher with the help of residual buying and mounting carcass value.

Early Grains:

The soybean market extended its uptrend during the CME Globex overnight session. Corn contracts climbed quietly higher, while wheat remains under pressure.

Outside Markets:

Most outside commodities were higher despite the continued rally in the U.S. dollar index. One exception was gold, as it built on Thursday’s sell-off to post another solid loss.

Click hear KMZU’s Mandy Young talk with Kansas City Trade Group’s Harold House:

5-16 0830 Harold House

Early Livestock:

Expect live and feeder contracts to start out moderately higher, supported by short covering, improving carcass value, and positioning before cash business and on feed news.

Cattle:     Cash: Steady     Futures: 10-30 Higher           Live Equiv.  $141.50 + 0.87

Cattle buyers may starte to walk-up the procurement process this morning. We believe they are both short bought and well margined. Yet they may not be sufficiently motivated to generate selling interest until sometime Friday. Asking prices remain firm at $127-128 in the Sough and $205-plus in the North. Live and feeder contracts should open moderately higher with the help of short covering and ideas that mid-month feedlot cash may be no worse than fully steady with last week.

Hogs:       Cash: 0.50-$1 Higher     Futures:  10-30 Higher   Lean  $98.98 + 1.02

Hog buyers have been aggressive spending all week, and there’s little reason to think things will change in that regard this morning. Market hog numbers seem to be shrinking faster than expected, and many believe that trend will easily continue for another two months or so. Lean futures are likely to open on a firm basis as well, boosted by ongoing cash and product strength.

Early Grains:

It was another quiet overnight session with corn trading within a 3-cent range and wheat a 5-cent range. Soybeans saw a bit more activity, posting a trading range of about 11-cents, and sitting near session highs early Thursday morning.

Outside Markets:

Outside commodities were under pressure once again from continued talk of slower growth in China and another rally in the US dollar index.