Carryover Adjustments
The March 11, 2009, USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report projects increasing U.S. wheat carryover and somewhat lower ending stocks expected for corn and soybeans. World grain supplies continue to increase.
Expected corn use for ethanol production was increased 100 million bushels to 3.7 billion bushels as blender margins have improved recently. However, the 2008-09 corn export projections were reduced another 50 million bushels to 1.7 billion bushels.
No supply estimate changes were made, and 2008-09 corn ending stocks are now projected at 1.74 billion bushels. This is below the average pre-report trade estimate and a cut of 50 million bushels from the previous estimate.
Increased production in South Africa, slower world feed use and exports led to an increase in expected 2008-09 world corn carryover from 136.66 million metric tons (mmt) to 144.62 mmt.
The USDA’s forecast 2008-09 corn prices were increased from 15 to 25 cents, now expected to range from $3.90 to $4.30.
In early trading following the report, corn and soybean futures prices were showing gains, while wheat prices were lower. The markets will continue to be influenced by economic factors, along with expectations for possible changes in 2009 crop acreages.
Blackbirds Be Gone
Avipel (R) Corn Seed Treatment has received a Section 18 in Louisiana and Mississippi. Avipel is used to repel blackbird species and crows from eating freshly planted corn seed and emerging seedlings. The product is non-lethal to birds and has been proven to be highly effective. Visit www.ArkionLS.com.
Decision-Making For Tech Traits Simplified
Combine “gene” and “ingenuity” and what do you get? Genuity. Monsanto recently announced the launch of Genuity, a family of traits designed to work together to enhance crop potential and simplify trait selection for farmers. The Genuity brand will differentiate and unify the agriculture company’s technology products under one platform and make it simpler for growers to select the traits best suited for their farms.
The Genuity family of traits will be used with Monsanto’s newest and future traits. These include Genuity Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans, Genuity VT Triple PRO corn, Genuity Bollgard II cotton, Genuity Bollgard II with Roundup Ready Flex cotton, Genuity Roundup Ready Flex cotton, Roundup Ready specialty crops and, pending regulatory approval in 2010, Genuity SmartStax corn.
Dion McBay, Monsanto U.S. traits marketing lead, says Genuity seed bags will feature easy-to-read icons representing insect protection, herbicide tolerance, weather protection and increased producti-vity to illustrate clearly the benefits the traits offer. The Genuity icon system, he said, will help farmers match traits with the specific needs of their farms.
“Genuity VT Triple PRO, which will be launched in the South in 2010, will be the first corn technology under the Genuity platform,” McBay says.
For more information, visit www.Genuity.com.
Halomax 75 Herbicide Registered For Corn
Aceto Agricultural Chemical Company announces that it has received an EPA registration for Halosulfuron herbicide for use in corn, rice and other crops.
This herbicide will be sold as Halomax 75 and will be available for the 2009 use season. It will compete directly with Permit herbicide.
According to Mike Feinman, president of Aceto, “Halomax contains the same active ingredient and concentration of formulation as Permit. Halomax 75 offers corn and rice producers an economical alternative for the control of yellow nutsedge, hemp sesbania and other hard to control broadleaf weeds.”
Halomax 75 herbicide was evaluated by the University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University, LSU AgCenter, University of California and Dr. Ronnie Helms, G&H Associates, Stuttgart, Ark., and they found that Halomax 75 gave control of yellow nutsedge and other tough weeds equal to Permit.