TOP HEADLINES
CORN LEAFHOPPER REEMERGING IN TEXAS, OTHER STATES
Corn leafhopper has reemerged in some Texas corn-growing regions and other states, threatening both yields and grain quality.
David Kerns, Ph.D., Texas AandM AgriLife Extension Service statewide integrated pest management coordinator and associate department head for the Texas AandM Department of Entomology, said corn producers need to become familiar with the insect and learn more about management strategies.
“Certainly, growers need to be aware of this going into the next growing season,” he said. “It’s a big issue. Corn leafhoppers could transmit pathogens, which can lead to diseases and other problems associated with growing a good, healthy corn crop.”
Grower awareness, education
Corn leafhopper was reported as far north as Ohio in 1981. In 2016, it reemerged as a pest in South Texas. This year, outbreaks were reported in Tamaulipas, Mexico, and became widely distributed in Texas, Oklahoma, eastern New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Georgia and Arkansas. They were also reported in Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin late in the season.
Corn leafhopper produces a sugary substance called honeydew, which can grow on stalks and leaves and lead to the growth of sooty mold, which may block leaf photosynthesis.
The biggest concern is red stunt disease due to the four main plant pathogens corn leafhoppers transmit. Symptoms seen by growers include yellowing and reddening leaves, rapid dying of lower canopy, dying of ear leaf and corn husks, poor pollination and extensive blank ear tips, incomplete kernel fill, stunted or excessively thin and tall plants, formation of multiple deformed ears from the primary ear position, and abnormal tillering.
“We don’t want people to panic,” Kerns said. “I think our biggest concern is how cold it gets this winter. A hard freeze is advantageous. However, certain parts of Texas do not get as cold, and the leafhoppers and their pathogen can harbor on volunteer corn.”
Corn leafhopper can survive at temperatures of 50 degrees to 68 degrees in the absence of a corn crop, feeding on other grass species. Kerns said corn is the best host, but the insects can survive on grass species such as eastern gama grass when corn is not available, but it needs corn to reproduce.
“It can also survive on sorghum and johnsongrass and may survive as long as one month,” he said.
Prevention, treatment options
Farmers can follow these suggestions to lessen the threat:
Plant resistant corn hybrids. This is not currently an option, but we are aware that some hybrids are less affected than others. More research will be required to determine which hybrids are least sensitive.
Volunteer corn management. In areas of Texas that do not experience freezing temperatures, it is essential to eliminate volunteer corn since it can serve as a host.
Plant as early as possible. Early planted corn has been shown to escape corn leafhopper infestation and subsequent issues with the pathogens during the critical infestation period, emergence through V8.
Use insecticide, during emergence through V8 when corn leafhoppers are detected, especially for late-planted corn or second crop corn. Kerns said insecticides such as Sivanto Prime and Transform are options, but we have not had the opportunity to fully evaluate their effectiveness.
FUTURES & WEATHER
Wheat prices overnight are up 6 1/2 in SRW, up 5 3/4 in HRW, up 4 3/4 in HRS; Corn is up 3 1/2; Soybeans up 13 1/2; Soymeal up $4.70; Soyoil up 0.12.
Markets finished last week with wheat prices up 15 1/4 in SRW, up 9 1/2 in HRW, up 8 1/4 in HRS; Corn is up 7 1/4; Soybeans up 20 1/4; Soymeal down $5.40; Soyoil up 3.80.
For the month to date wheat prices are up 4 in SRW, up 3 1/4 in HRW, up 1/4 in HRS; Corn is up 7 1/4; Soybeans up 12 3/4; Soymeal up $0.50; Soyoil up 1.28.
Year-To-Date nearby futures are down 8.6% in SRW, down 11.1% in HRW, down 16.6% in HRS; Corn is down 11.3%; Soybeans down 23.3%; Soymeal down 22.4%; Soyoil down 2.8%.
Chinese Ag futures (JAN 25) Soybeans down 2 yuan; Soymeal down 6; Soyoil up 128; Palm oil up 110; Corn down 11 — Malaysian Palm is up 23.
Malaysian palm oil prices overnight were up 23 ringgit (+0.47%) at 4891.
There were changes in registrations (-220 SRW Wheat, 440 Soybeans). Registration total: 0 SRW Wheat contracts; 0 Oats; 126 Corn; 595 Soybeans; 369 Soyoil; 76 Soymeal; 5 HRW Wheat.
Preliminary changes in futures Open Interest as of November 1 were: SRW Wheat up 7,550 contracts, HRW Wheat up 2,423, Corn up 16,175, Soybeans up 8,017, Soymeal up 6,051, Soyoil up 14,156.
Brazil: Wet season showers continue in central Brazil, being favorable for further soybean planting and establishment. Soybean planting has reached the normal pace and the risk of significant late plantings of safrinha corn will now look to the potential for heavy rain at soybean harvest and corn planting. Otherwise, good growing conditions are currently found throughout most of the country. Southern areas got rainfall over the weekend and coming waves of showers from fronts moving through Brazil continue to be awfully favorable for the time being.
Argentina: A system moved through over the weekend with scattered showers. Another will move through on Monday and Tuesday. Some additional spotty showers continue over the rest of the week before the next system moves in over the weekend. Overall favorable conditions continue to be present in the country, though the threat of heat and dryness due to the building La Nina may be a threat later in the season.
Northern Plains: Scattered showers fell over eastern areas this weekend, disrupting the remaining harvest, but building in some soil moisture. Another system will move through western areas Monday night into Wednesday and could bring some snow outside of the mountains. Outside of some colder temperatures there, above normal temperatures are favored this week.
Central/Southern Plains: Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms developed over the weekend, including some severe weather and flooding. The last round of rain moves through on Monday, which will bring more meaningful precipitation to western Kansas that has been missed so far. An upper-level low will move down the Rockies and into the Southwest on Wednesday, with showers building for the end of the week. The low will move northeast through the region over the weekend, spreading more showers through which may include some snow in Colorado. The recent and coming rain will continue to reduce drought and build soil moisture for winter wheat.
Midwest: Waves of showers moved into the region over the weekend, being heavy in some areas from Missouri to Wisconsin. Two more waves of showers will move through the region through early Wednesday, building soil moisture but disrupting the last of the harvest. After a few days’ break, another system will move throuhg over the weekend with more rounds of rain. The active pattern continues to favor reducing drought and building soil moisture before winter.
Delta: Water levels on the Mississippi River had been very low, but the recent and forecast rain is likely to bump up levels in the upper basin this week and the lower basin next week. The River would need the Ohio Valley to get more rain to help bolster more long-term support, but will take the small bursts of help from the Missouri and Upper Mississippi Rivers as well.
Europe: Some showers continue over the Iberian Peninsula early this week with a dying subtropical storm moving in. Showers may redevelop there and maybe France toward the end of the week as well. But the remainder of the continent is likely to be dry. The dryness is starting to be a problem again in the eastern half where soil moisture deficits are growing. The dryness had been favorable in the northwest, but some areas could use a little rain now, too.
Black Sea: Rainfall deficits continue to be very large in the east. The window for winter wheat establishment has essentially closed with frosts and freezes more likely than not. Wheat is going dormant mostly in poor condition. The region will hope for good precipitation over the winter to make up for the lost time this fall.
Australia: Very limited showers moved through over the weekend, but most areas have been dry for a while now and soil moisture is falling. With harvest increasing for winter wheat and canola, that will help to promote fieldwork. But cotton and sorghum need more rain. A few systems will move through over the next couple of weeks, but the forecast is calling for light and spotty rainfall with these systems.
The player sheet for Nov. 1 had funds: net sellers of 1,000 contracts of SRW wheat, buyers of 3,000 corn, sellers of 2,000 soybeans, sellers of 2,500 soymeal, and buyers of 3,500 soyoil.
TENDERS
- SOYBEAN SALES: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed private sales of 132,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans to China and 198,000 tons to unknown destinations for shipment in the 2024/25 marketing year.
- CORN SALES: The USDA confirmed private sales of 781,332 metric tons of U.S. corn to Mexico, including 715,800 tons for shipment in the 2024/25 marketing year and 65,532 tons for 2025/26.
- SOYOIL SALE: The USDA confirmed private sales of 80,000 metric tons of U.S. soybean oil to India for shipment in the 2024/25 marketing year.
- SOYMEAL SALE: South Korea’s Major Feedmill Group (MFG) on Thursday purchased an estimated 60,000 metric tons of soymeal expected to be sourced from South America, the United States or China
- DURUM SALE: Tunisia’s state grains agency is believed to have purchased about 75,000 metric tons of durum wheat in an international tender on Friday
- CORN PURCHASE: South Korean feedmaker Cargill Agri Purina is believed to have purchased an estimated 66,000 metric tons of animal feed corn in a private deal on Friday without issuing an international tender
- RICE TENDER UPDATE: The lowest price offered in the international tender from Indonesian state purchasing agency Bulog to buy about 500,000 metric tons of rice was estimated at $479 a ton cost and freight for rice expected to be sourced from Pakistan
- WHEAT PURCHASE: Algeria’s state grains agency OAIC is believed to have purchased about 600,000 metric tons of milling wheat in an international tender that closed on Thursday.
- CORN PURCHASE: The Korea Feed Association (KFA) Busan section in South Korea purchased an estimated 70,000 metric tons of animal feed corn expected to be sourced from South America or South Africa in a private deal on Thursday without issuing an international tender.
PENDING TENDERS
- RICE TENDER: Bangladesh’s state grains buyer issued an international tender to purchase 50,000 metric tons of rice
- RICE TENDER: The state purchasing agency in Mauritius issued an international tender to buy 4,000 metric tons of long grain white rice sourced from optional origins
- WHEAT TENDER: Jordan’s state grain buyer issued an international tender to buy up to 120,000 metric tons of milling wheat, which can be sourced from optional origins
- FEED BARLEY TENDER: Jordan’s state grains buyer issued an international tender to purchase up to 120,000 metric tons of animal feed barley
- RICE TENDER: South Korea’s state-backed Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp issued an international tender to purchase an estimated 101,000 metric tons of rice
- WHEAT TENDER: Bangladesh’s state grains buyer issued another international tender to purchase 50,000 metric tons of milling wheat.
TODAY
US Soybean Crushings at 186.5M Bushels in September: USDA
USDA releases monthly oilseed report on website.
- Crushing 6.7% higher than same period last year
- Crude oil production 6.9% higher than same period last year
- Crude and once-refined oil stocks down 6.6% y/y
US Corn Used for Ethanol at 440.2M Bu in September
The following is a summary of US corn consumption for fuel and other products, according to the USDA.
- Corn for ethanol was 2.7% higher than in September 2023
- DDGS production rose to 1.795m tons
Brazil Farmers Plant 52.9% Of 2024/25 Soybean Expected Area Versus 50.6% In Same Period Last Year, Says Consultancy Firm Patria Agronegocios
BRAZIL FARMERS PLANT 52.9% OF 2024/25 SOYBEAN EXPECTED AREA VERSUS 50.6% IN SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, SAYS CONSULTANCY FIRM PATRIA AGRONEGOCIOS
Brazil’s C-S Summer Corn Planting 72.3% Done: Safras
Planting of 2024/25 summer corn crop in Brazil’s Center-South region is 72.3% completed, according to a report from consulting firm Safras & Mercado.
That compares with 72.7% a year earlier, and a five-year average of 72.1%
SOYBEAN/CEPEA: Share of soybean meal in crush margin is the lowest since Jul/22
Cepea, 1st – Many consumers of soybean meal have built stocks, since they were focused on the firm international demand, especially from the second quarter of this year on. Now, they are purchasing only small amounts.
Therefore, soybean meal prices dropped in Brazil, and the participation of this byproduct in the crush margin hit 58.2% this week, the lowest since July 5, 2022. Cepea uses prices of soybeans, soybean meal and oil in São Paulo state for this calculation.
Another share of consumers, in turn, especially swine farmers and players from feedlots, continues willing to trade soybean meal, favored by the good purchase power. Data from Cepea indicate that swine quotations are the highest since November/20, and cattle values, since August/22, in nominal terms.
This scenario prevented more significant price drops for the soy meal in Brazil. Values decreased 1.8% on the average of regions surveyed by Cepea comparing October 24 and 31.
Concerning soy oil, prices moved up 2.2% from Oct. 24-31 on the average of regions surveyed by Cepea, at BRL 6,988.45 per ton (in São Paulo city with 12% ICMS) on Oct. 31.
SOYBEANS – Prices remained practically stable this week. The firm demand for soy oil and the increase of the exchange rate sustained quotations on one hand. On the other, the rainfall in South America and the higher supply in the United States interrupted price rises.
On the average of the regions by Cepea, soybean prices increased 0.3% from Oct. 24-31 in the over-the-counter market (paid to farmers) but remained stable in the wholesale market (deals between processors). Dollar quotations rose 1.8% against Real in the same comparison, to close at BRL 5.781 on October 31.
The ESALQ/BM&FBovespa Index (Paranaguá) downed 0.3% from October 24-31, closing at BRL 143.90 per 60-kg bag. The CEPEA/ESALQ Index (Paraná) dropped 0.4% in the same comparison, to close at BRL 141.13 per 60-kg bag on Oct. 31. From September to October, prices rose 1.4% and 2.2%, respectively.
CROPS – Conab indicates that planting activities reached 37% in Brazil up to Oct. 27, below the 40% verified in the same period last year. In Argentina, the planting of the 2024/25 crop has started, hitting 3.3% of the area projected until Oct. 30.
CORN/CEPEA: Index continues on the rise and is close to BRL 73/bag
Corn prices moved up in October, influenced by the firm domestic demand and the fact that sellers are away from closing trades.
Purchasers claim difficulties to buy new batches, since they say that the availability is low in the spot market and sellers ask for high prices. Expectations that values continue to increase keep producers away from closing trades; thus, they are focused on the development of the summer crop. It is worth noting that the rainfall favored summer crop planting activities, which brings a relief for players who were concerned about possible delays of the second crop in 2025.
The ESALQ/BM&FBovespa Index (Campinas, SP) upped 2.2% between October 24 and 31, closing at BRL 72.94 per 60-kilo bag on Oct. 31. In October, the Index increased 13.44%.
On the average of the regions surveyed by Cepea, corn values moved up 1.5% in the over-the-counter market (paid to farmers) and 2.4% in the wholesale market (deals between processors) from Oct. 24-31.
PORTS – Brazilian corn shipments totaled 5.33 million tons in October (19 producing days), which accounts for 63% of the volume exported in October/23 – data from Secex.
Corn quotations moved down 2.7% from Oct. 24-31 at the port of Paranaguá (PR). In Santos (SP), on the other hand, values increased 1.5%. Dollar quotations upped 1.8% in the same comparison, closing at BRL 5.781 on Oct. 31.
CROPS – Up to October 27, the summer crop planting had reached 36.8% of the area in Brazil – data from Conab.
Argentina’s grains export revenue jumps more than 200% in October
Argentina’s farm sector brought in a total of $2.55 billion through exports in October, a 243% increase compared to the some month a year earlier, the CIARA-CEC oilseed and grains crusher chamber and exporters said on Friday.
CIARA-CEC noted in a report that revenues from the sector’s companies rose nearly 3% compared to September. In the January-October period there was an 21% increase.
October’s foreign exchange inflows “are the result of an improved pace of producer grain sales, as well as higher soybean crushing at one-month highs… and finally, an aggressive soymeal and soyoil shipment program,” according to the report.
Argentina is one of the world’s largest suppliers of processed soybeans, the as well as a top corn and wheat producer.
Ukraine’s Grain Exports in October Rose 59% Y/y to 4m Tons
Ukraine’s grain exports in October reached almost 4 million tons, 59% higher than the same month a year ago, the Ukrainian Agrarian Ministry said on the website.
- The total amount of exports in the season, which started on July 1, so far reached 14.4 million tons, 56% higher then last year
- Total exports include:
- 7.7m tons of wheat, up 67% from the same period a year ago
- 1.7m tons of barley
- 4.7m tons of corn, up 23% compared to last year
- Ukraine’s grain and legumes harvest totaled 48m tons as of Nov. 1
- Ukrainian farmers continue their winter planting campaign and have already sown 5.7m hectares, up from almost 5m hectares this time last year
Russian 2025 grain harvest could reach 130 mln tonnes, but winter crop development lagging – institute
The Institute for Agricultural Market Studies has published its initial forecast for the Russian 2025 grain harvest, according to which the country may produce 130 million tonnes of grain.
The institute previously estimated that the wheat harvest will stand at 81 million to 85 million tonnes in 2025.
“If we forecast the wheat harvest using the more realistic figure of 85 million tonnes, then the overall grain harvest could be around 130 million tonnes,” the institute’s general director Dmitry Rylko told Interfax.
Both forecasts are very tentative, and whether they prove true depends on many factors, he said. “For example, currently one of the main problems increasing risks is the serious, ubiquitous lag in the development of winter crops. I can’t recall a time when, at this point in the season, most of European territory had crops still in the ‘sprouting’ phase, with some areas showing no emergence at all. Usually, a significant portion of winter crops enters the winter at the tillering stage,” he said.
“Of course, no disaster has occurred yet. The rains have come in the regions, the wheat has swollen and mostly come out, but a very serious lag in development remains the chief problem,” he said.
Malaysian Palm Oil Reserves Seen Falling as Exports Climb
- Stockpiles likely fell 4.5% in October, survey shows
- Exports seen rising 5.8%, while output fell 2.7% in October
Palm oil stockpiles in Malaysia likely dropped from their highest level in eight months as exports from the world’s second-biggest producer jumped amid declining output.
Inventories contracted 4.5% from a month earlier to 1.92 million tons in October, according to the median of eight estimates in a Bloomberg survey of plantation executives, traders and analysts. That would be the first drop since July, leaving reserves about 22% lower than a year earlier, which could further fuel a recent price rally.
Crude palm oil production fell 2.7% to 1.77 million tons, according to the survey, a second monthly drop. Exports rose 5.8% to 1.63 million tons, after climbing just 0.9% in September.
Palm oil surged more than 17% in October and benchmark futures rose as much as 0.4% to 4,889 ringgit ($1,121) a ton in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
Prices have been inching higher on lower stockpiles ahead of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board report next week, said David Ng, a senior trader at IcebergX Sdn. Other factors buoying prices include that production tends to be low toward the end of the year, while exports have been high due to demand for the Diwali festival in India and some seasonal buying from China, he said.
More from the survey:
- Stockpile estimates ranged between 1.73 million and 2.01 million tons, while production was seen between 1.66 million and 1.9 million tons
- Export forecasts were in a range of 1.51 million to 1.73 million tons
- Imports were seen at 10,000 tons, against 5,480 tons in September
- Local consumption was estimated at 200,000 tons to 400,000 tons
Brazil to host soy and corn OTC market
Brazil could have its BAB over-the-counter (OTC) market for soy and corn in place before the end of the year, the new market’s CEO said on Friday.
BAB has been given the green light from Brazil’s securities commission, CEO Eric Cardoni told reporters.
Backed by local railway operator Rumo RAIL3.SA, BAB was created to allow hedging by local traders and farmers to better reflect Brazilian market prices, Cardoni said.
Grain prices in Brazil, the world’s top soy producer and one of the largest corn farmers, often diverge from those traded in Chicago because of different crop periods and logistics costs.
Cardoni said the OTC market, in which securities trade without a centralized exchange, will trade contracts in Brazilian reais and could achieve trade equivalent to 24 million metric tons of grains by the end of its third year.
The amount would represent almost half of the expected soy output in Brazil’s top grain-producing state, Mato Grosso, in 2024/25.
Cardoni added that 15 companies, most of them grain traders, were seeking approval to trade on BAB.
US Pork Production Up 2.4% This Week, Beef Down: USDA
US federally inspected pork production rises to 566m pounds for the week ending Nov. 2 from 552m in the previous week, according to USDA estimates published on the agency’s website.
- Hog slaughter up 2.3% from a week ago to 2.653m head
- Beef production down 0.9% from a week ago, cattle slaughter falls 1.3%
- For the year, beef production is 0.6% below last year’s level at this time, and pork is 1.5% above
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