• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Agriculture / Planting numbers raise questions about how farmers will fare at harvest

Planting numbers raise questions about how farmers will fare at harvest

August 14, 2019 By Radio Iowa Contributor

Despite weather challenges, the latest U.S.D.A. crop report shows farmers planted more acres than expected this year and corn and soybean harvests may end up being larger than earlier predictions.

Still, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation economist Sam Funk says it’s too early to know just how well the corn planted late in the spring due to cold, rainy conditions will actually do at harvest time.  Funk says, “If we have any sort of an estimate later on that rocks those yields lower, I think it would potentially move markets again.”

The U.S.D.A.’s August report, released on Monday, did not have good news on the demand side. Exports are expected to remain down and so is the amount of corn used for ethanol. Iowa State University ag economist Chad Hart says China is buying far fewer U.S. soybeans than it used to, while Brazil and other South American countries are stepping in to fill the void.

“The U.S. has now slid into that #2 spot when we look at country production,” Hart says. “Brazil has probably taken the top spot and will likely hang onto it for some time.” That could translate to a long-term loss for American farmers, many of whom are already struggling financially.

(Thanks to Amy Mayer, Iowa Public Radio)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Agriculture, News Tagged With: Corn & Soybeans

Featured Stories

Governor signs child care expansion into law

Iowa seniors have until July 1 to apply for new property tax break

Smoke from distant fires creates colorful sunrise in Iowa

DOT’s Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division to merge into State Patrol

Iowa’s governor approves liability limits for trucking industry

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Iowa AD Gary Barta announces retirement

Iowa to visit Creighton in Gavitt Tipoff Games

Iowa and Indiana collide Thursday at B1G baseball tournament

Former Hawkeye joins Lisa Bluder’s staff at Iowa

Iowa rolls in B1G Tournament opener

More Sports

Archives

Copyright © 2023 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC