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Reuters
4 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
What to make of surprisingly low US crop ratings: Braun
NAPERVILLE, Illinois, May 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. corn crop has gotten off to a somewhat disappointing start in what is supposed to be a record producing season. Meanwhile, U.S. spring wheat is experiencing its second-worst start to the growing season in history after this year's plantings dropped to a 55-year low. What might these early figures mean for the growing season overall? How do they compare with past years? And where are the problem spots and near-term prospects for improvement? The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday afternoon rated 68% of the U.S. corn crop in good-to-excellent (GE) condition in this season's initial rating, marking the lowest starting health since 2019. That was well below analysts' average estimate of 73% GE, though initial condition reports from the Crop Watch producers, opens new tab over the weekend averaged out to a six-year low, at least. A 68% GE is not all that bad. On average over the last three years, the initial U.S. corn score comes in around 72%. Additionally, the slower start may be explainable. The unanimous feedback from the Crop Watch producers was that it has been too cold, cloudy and rainy, and the plants are not growing quickly. Hail, frosts, wind, rain and even a period of excessive heat recently stressed crops in the western Corn Belt, which was reported by Crop Watchers. This showed up in USDA's data on Tuesday. Averaging initial corn conditions by state over the past three years, North Dakota and Ohio stand out. North Dakota at 48% GE is 24 percentage points below average and Ohio's 41% is 37 points below. Conditions in top producer Iowa are 4 percentage points ahead of normal, Illinois is 7 points behind, South Dakota is down 16 points, Nebraska is down 2 points and Minnesota is 4 points behind. Three factors may help ease any concerns about current U.S. corn crop health. The corn crop is only two-thirds emerged nationally, a lower-than-usual portion to coincide with the first condition scores. This allows for some play in the near-term figures, as newly emerged crops, if in good shape, could boost the overall score next week. Although not necessarily unusual, less than 40% of corn in Ohio and North Dakota was emerged as of Sunday, possibly allowing for future improvement. All Crop Watch producers last weekend expressed the dire need for heat and sun, and that should start arriving over the weekend after this week finishes out on the cooler, cloudy side. The pattern might not necessarily be long-lasting, but even a short, warm, sunny spell in early June can go a long way for early crop growth. U.S. corn was initially rated 65% GE in 2017, and calculations at the time pointed to near or below-trend yield probabilities. This caused the market to misjudge the crop potential all year, and the 2017 corn crop achieved a new record yield. The 2017 crop was rated 60% GE by the end of July, not too huge of a change from the initial. So even though 60% would not be considered stellar by itself, the lack of large rating swings that season may have been telling. U.S. spring wheat was rated 45% GE as of Sunday, tied with 2021 as the second-lowest initial rating over the 40-year history. The worst was 34% in 1988. Those two years are bad company, as they featured well-below-trend U.S. spring wheat yields as both seasons included drought. The 2025 crop is already starting in the hole as U.S. farmers intend to plant their smallest spring wheat area since 1970. Some 60% of U.S. spring wheat was emerged by Sunday, comparable to 66% on the same date in 2021. North Dakota, which produces half of the U.S. spring wheat crop, must remain on watch as only 37% of the wheat there is GE and 26% is considered poor or very poor. Recent cold and wet weather has battered the young wheat crop, so the coming flip to better weather may offer improvement opportunities. Market analysts had expected the initial spring wheat conditions to come in at 71% GE, so the result was much more shocking than the one for corn. But the lighter figures for both certainly set up the potential for market scares this summer if an unfavorable weather pattern were to set in. Karen Braun is a market analyst for Reuters. Views expressed above are her own.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Potential SNAP cuts could impact food banks in Siouxland
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — The Big, Beautiful Bill Act is proposing to cut $300 billion in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that could potentially impact local food banks. 'The biggest thing for Iowa is that it would be at least a $26 million cut to individuals in Iowa. In our service area around Siouxland, that would be upwards of $2 million cuts to local grocery stores and our economy,' said Jacob Wanderscheid, the executive director for the Food Bank of Siouxland. Last year alone, the Food Bank of Siouxland gave away more than 61 million meals, but Wanderscheid said he's worried about that number increasing. Sioux City schools' free summer meal program begins June 9 'Food is going out, about as fast as we can get it into the building. So, with SNAP, if we keep SNAP, we should see that those numbers fade over the summer. If it is cut in the mid-summer, then we would see those numbers spike, so that's our biggest concern,' Wanderscheid explained. Proponents of the changes to SNAP argue they are merely trying to eliminate errors. According to the USDA, the national error rate for incorrect payments in 2023 was 12%. That's out of the 500 million payments issued that year. Iowa currently has the sixth-lowest SNAP error rate in the nation. 'We are improving and really are making sure that those dollars get to the people that it's intended to get to. So we're not seeing people stealing those funds, falsifying documents to get on that. Really, the people that are intended to get that program are in Iowa,' said Wanderscheid. Those in rural areas would likely feel the greatest impact from the SNAP cuts. 'They have fewer food pantries to rely on in Sioux City. We have a fair amount, but when we get outside of Sioux City, having that card that they can just go to, to the local Walmart or their local grocery store, allows them to stay more self-sufficient and have less expenses,' stated Wanderscheid. Story continues below Top Story: Midwest Honor Flight still raising money for June 3 trip Lights & Sirens: Officials searching for Monona County resident after going missing on Missouri River Sports: Dell Rapids claims SDHSBA Class B title with 5-4 win over Dakota Valley in eight innings Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here Additionally, the bill would change exemptions for work requirements, meaning more parents of young children would have to work in order to receive food assistance. 'The food bank's position is that it is still a very young age to add that work requirement for that parent, especially when they might not be in full daycare yet or school yet, so we would like to see that not happen as well,' Wanderscheid expressed. Wanderscheid is planning to speak with Senator Joni Ernst to make sure these cuts won't go into effect and encourages anybody to write to their local legislators to voice their opinions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What is New World Screwworm? Veterinarian explains potential threat to livestock
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Tennessee State Veterinarian is warning livestock owners to keep an eye out for their animals after the New World Screwworm, or NWS, was detected off the border of Mexico. The NWS is an invasive pest that poses a serious threat to livestock and other warm-blooded animals according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They said the recent findings of this parasite in Mexico highlights the potential for it to spread into southern states. Police seek help to solve 2023 murder of Chris Hill in West Knoxville 'The difference between this fly is that it lays a larva that feeds on living tissue, not dead tissue similar to other flies that lay larva, and they feed on dead necrotic tissue. This fly, or the larva feeds on living tissue or any fresh wound,' said UT Extension Veterinarian, Lew Strickland. Since the parasite was detected in Mexico, Strickland said he has been informing his clients to keep an eye out. 'Look for an odd-looking fly, it has a unique metallic blue body and orange eyes, and has three distinct stripes running along its back right along the top side of its thorax,' he said. While the parasite could impact cattle, he said it could also infect farm animals, pets, and in rare cases, people. KCS Superintendent shares insight into preparations for upcoming school year He said the NWS can cause sudden tissue damage and infections that can lead to death. However, this is not the first time the US has dealt with the screw worm. 'It was back in the 50s that this fly was around, but it was eradicated by a sterile fly mating, sterile flies were created that could mate with these females to where the eggs that they lay are sterile, and they don't hatch,' said Strickland. But if it were to come back, he said it could have serious economic impacts. 'It can easily affect any cattle trade or any other animal industry,' said Strickland. 'We don't want it moving across borders because this fly can be on an animal and that animal could be hauled to another state, and we certainly don't want that as well. So, trade can certainly be affected quickly by this fly.' USDA inspects livestock for flesh-eating parasite in Strawberry Plains While he said it is reassuring to know that since these parasites have been eradicated in the US before, he stresses the importance of checking your animals and reporting any unusual wounds to your local vet or agriculture department. Since they were detected, the USDA suspended imports of live cattle, horses, and bison along the southern U.S. border. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Riley protecting Lisle dairy farmer betrayed by government
TOWN OF LISLE, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Congressman Josh Riley says he has stepped in on behalf of a Lisle dairy farmer who was being betrayed by the federal government. Riley met with seventh-generation farmer Scott Glezen on wednesday. Glezen has 2,400 milking cows and about 2,000 calves on his farm in the Town of Lisle. He also grows 3,300 acres of corn and 2,300 of wheat. Glezen had entered into a five-year contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in which the USDA would pay him roughly $192,000 to plant winter wheat on a portion of his land. Winter wheat or rye is a cover crop that grows well in lower temperatures, allowing it to conserve soil and absorb rain in late fall and early spring. Riley suspects that because the contract referred to improving resilience to climate change, DOGE canceled the deal. 'In Upstate New York, when you make a promise to somebody, a handshake means something, and you keep your word. In Washington, these folks are so hell-bent on giving tax breaks to Wall Street that they want to break a contract with somebody like Scott so that they can pay for it. It is everything that is wrong with Washington and the opposite of what we believe here in upstate New York,' said Riley. Glezen says he had already laid out the money to plant the crops last fall and that they've done a great job absorbing all of the rain we've been receiving this spring. He says the grant is to protect the environment and doesn't benefit him financially. 'It's been really difficult for us to understand how politics creep into things like this. It's been puzzling to us. I have my own political beliefs, everybody has their own political beliefs. I don't know how sustainable practices and conservation practices become so political. It just surprises me,' said Glezen. The grant was recently reinstated after Riley addressed the House Agriculture Committee, demanding that the contract be honored. Riley has also introduced bipartisan legislation called the Honor Farmer Contracts Act, which would require the federal government to fulfill its obligations to small family farms. Sneaker Drive honors the life of Noah Farrelly Residents take home a piece of history as IBM buildings are demolished Riley protecting Lisle dairy farmer betrayed by government Musicians from around the world celebrate Ukraine with free concert Rapist who killed Binghamton man in hit and run crash sentenced to prison Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Three coyotes removed after girl attacked in Frisco neighborhood, police say
Three coyotes were removed from a Frisco neighborhood Wednesday after an 8-year-old girl was attacked by one earlier in the week, police said. The attack occurred around 4:05 p.m. Monday near Lacy Lane and Tall Timbers Trail in the Lexington Park community. The girl was walking ahead of her mother when the coyote attacked. Her mother was able to chase the animal away, preventing further harm. San Dimas, CA - May 09: A coyote hunts for food on a hot, sunny day in the hills near Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas Friday, May 9, 2025. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images The child sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including scratches and a bite, according to police. As part of the investigation, the coyotes were located and removed, then sent for testing. Frisco Animal Services officers worked with representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Texas Wildlife Services Program to detain the animals. In response to the incident, Frisco police are urging residents to take precautions: Carry noise-making devices, such as airhorns or whistles, while walking or jogging. Keep pets on a leash and do not allow them to roam freely. Avoid feeding wildlife and secure trash containers. Anyone who sees aggressive animals is asked to contact Frisco police at (972) 292-6010 or call 911.
