Spring Planting Safety Tips

Planting season is when many farm injuries and fatalities occur. University of Missouri farm safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch recommends keeping in mind the following precautions:

1.     Review equipment manuals before planting. Growers are often less familiar with seasonal equipment than equipment used on a daily basis.

2.     Inspect all planting equipment before use. Make sure shields and guards are in place and seat belts work.

3.     Never lean or step over a power takeoff while it's operating.

4.     Don't wear loose-fitting clothing around PTO shafts or other moving parts. Keep long hair tied back or under a cap.

5.     Shut down equipment, turn off the engine, remove keys and wait for moving parts to stop before dismounting equipment.

6.     Maintain Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) symbols on all equipment.

7.     Keep bystanders and children away from all equipment.

8.     Always read chemical packaging labels. Information should include proper use and handling of the chemical, safe storage and first-aid treatment.

9.     Keep material safety information at hand for crop-protection chemicals. Information should include health-hazard data, spill or leak procedures and handling information.

10.   Wear protective gear specified by the label, including protective goggles and face shields, chemical-resistant gloves, coveralls, boots, hats and aprons.

11.   Store crop-protection chemicals in locked areas. Clearly label these areas.

12.   Launder chemical-soiled clothing separately and triple rinse.

13.   Wash hands thoroughly after using such chemicals.

https://www.pioneer.com/home/site/us/agronomy/library/template.CONTENT/guid.74EE17D1-45B2-EB8B-2924-357E6D7412FB

FC Morning Market Commentary

We have mixed markets this morning as the trade patiently waits for the 11:00am USDA monthly S&D report.  Generally speaking there isn’t much else to talk about prior to that.  This report will be the first look at ending stocks for nextsummer.  When we are this far out (those crops are still being planted) that portion of the report should be taken lightly, although it will be traded.  The market is looking for very little change to old crop carryouts in corn and soybeans – maybe slight decreases are expected.  Forecasts for both commodities are at the bottom of these comments.

Before the rains last night (which looked a little lighter than expected, map below) planting progress is assumed to have made big strides – the U.S. could actually be close to its average by Monday’s planting progress report.  The Northern Plains (the Dakotas) have remained cool and wet throughout all of this and eventually this story will bubble to the surface in the form of “are there acres switching???”.

Opening Calls

Corn steady to down 2 cents

Soybeans mixed, 2c lower to 2c higher

Have a great day!

Dustin Weiner

FC Morning Market Grain Commentary

The markets are slightly weaker this morning – corn was able to trade steady/mixed early on last night while soybeans (esp. old crop) spent most of the night in the red.  The weather forecasts generally aren’t offering much for the bulls to go on – yes, there is a system coming through starting tomorrow but generally speaking the corn belt will get a 3-4 day break from precip which should allow planting to progress before another rain comes.  Also – these rains are welcomed with open arms for those with all/most of their corn in the ground. 

Planting in the corn belt this week has been progressing quickly to say the least.  Depending on how heavy the storms aretomorrow – we could easily see corn planting progress on Monday afternoon’s report somewhere between 50% and 60% complete (maybe even higher?).  The market has learned over time not to underestimate the ability of the American Farmer to get his crop in the ground…

Opening Calls

Corn 2 to 3 cents lower

Soybeans 3 to 6 cents lower

Have a great day!

Dustin Weiner

@fccoopgrain

FC Morning Market Commentary

The soybean market is lower this morning and looks like it could be in trouble technically (read: on the charts) after taking out last week’s lows during the overnight session.  This technical selling in soybean seems to be leading most of the markets lower. 

Corn is a few cents lower overnight, some of that due to the weakness in beans.  But also, with another 48 hours of warm, dry weather on the docket – the US farmer will be getting a big chunk of planting done between now and the (potentially heavy) thunderstorms coming later in the week.  Unfortunately, that rain is not timed well for everybody (it never is) -- planting delays in Minnesota (and northern Iowa) look to continue.  The 6-10 day precip map shown below looks like it could provide another window for field work to be done.  This slot (next week) will be the next window of time the market will focus on. 

Opening calls

Corn 3 to 5 cents lower

Soybeans 10 to 15 cents lower

Have a great day!

@fccoopgrain

Safety Tips for Planting Crops

Six tips to keep in mind in preparation for planting:

1. Transport Safely: Be mindful as you transport equipment on public roadways. It is recommended to provide the traveling public with many signs to warn them you’re moving more slowly than they are. Newer equipment features a wide variety of warning systems, such as flashing lights, extremity markings and slow-moving vehicle signs. It is also recommended to bringing older equipment up to date to meet modern standards.

2. Follow the Label: When applying products like herbicide, pesticide, or fungicide, it is important to read the label thoroughly. Do not overlook precautionary statements, such as those urging you to wear long sleeves or protect your eyes. Keep a book of product labels handy in case a chemical gets on your skin or in your lungs. Not keen on keeping a book? Just snap photos of the label on your phone.

3. Maintain Equipment: Keep every piece of equipment on your farm serviced. Even if you serviced a machine before putting it away last season, that does not mean it will be in perfect condition when you take it to the field this year.

4. Store Fuel Properly: Store fuel away from your machine shed. If problems arise and a fire erupts, keeping your fuel tank a safe distance away from buildings will offer the best protection.

5. Stay Healthy: Spending long hours in the field does not mean you should skip meals or rest. Without an adequate amount of sleep and proper nutrition, you will be operating at a reduced level in the fields. Follow the recommended guidelines for sleep and diet. To stay well rested, the Centers for Diease Control and Prevention suggest between seven and nine hours of sleep per night for adults. To make sure you’re eating right, use the U.S. Department of Agriculture MyPlate guide.

6.  Watch for Children: Large pieces of equipment that make a lot of noise will attract a child’s attention. Avoid carrying your children on your farm equipment.

Source: http://www.unitedsoybean.org/topics/production/six-farm-safety-tips-to-keep-in-mind-this-planting-season/

FC Morning Grain Market Commentary for 3/25/2014

AM Comments 03/25/14

Tuesday, March 25, 2014, 8:04 am
Submitted by: Dustin Weiner

Good morning!

The markets are mixed this morning with corn a couple cents lower and soybeans a couple cents higher. There isn’t much for news out yet this morning but later today Informa (a well-followed private company) will release their estimates for 2014 planted acreage. This could have a small impact on price action during the trade today but the real report (coming from the USDA) will be released at 11am next Monday (March 31^st). I do get the feeling the market may be caught a little long – meaning that between now and Monday would could see the market drift lower as traders even up their position (take profits).

The outside markets are higher with Crude Oil higher at this time (UP 49 @ 100.09) along with a higher US Dollar (138.07 vs. Euro) and the US stock market is higher (UP 77).

Opening Calls

Corn down 1 to 3 cents

Soybeans up 1 to 3 cents

http://www.fccoop.com/markets/commentary_detail.cfm?CommentaryID=2056

FC Market Commentary for June 28, 2013 Regarding USDA Report Recap

June 28, 2013

Quarterly grain stocks/intended acreage just released by USDA. 

CORN: quarterly stocks at 2.764 Bln, which was a bit lower than trade estimates;  acreage the surprise at 97.4 Mln, which was down just slightly from the March intentions. Either prevent plant acres are not being addressed yet, or the intentions number back in March was light. Either way, it is bearish new crop corn especially with non-threatening weather going forward. 

BEANS:  quarterly stocks at 435 Mln, which was slightly below trade estimates;  acreage was 77.7 Mln which was in line with trade estimates.

Bottom Line:  Old crop stocks on both corn/beans a little tighter than expected…..will support old crop prices for awhile longer. New crop outlook is bearish (despite planting problems in IA/MN) due to more acres and benign weather.  Believe them or not….the market will trade the data.

Jon Setterdahl
Farmers Cooperative Company

FC Morning Market Commentary for June 18, 2013

Good morning!

The markets were mixed to a little higher last night on follow through from yesterday along with some friendly outside markets – giving the market a somewhat positive tone.  The news wires are pretty quiet which means we could see a choppy trade throughout the day session.

The weather forecasts remain non-threatening for crops which is helping keep a lid on new crop prices.  The strength in the market is coming from the nearby (old crop) futures. Domestic crushers have margin, whether it’s in poultry, dairy, ethanol or soybeans – they seem to be making a little money.  This is holding up the value of old crop corn and soybeans.

Based off of the planting progress estimate from the USDA there were around 2.0-2.2 million acres of corn left to be planted and 7 million acres of beans as of Sunday’s survey.  With the weather forecasts looking favorable for planting – the soybean number should shrink fast while the corn number will likely go down just a little bit, with a large percentage of those acres switching to soybeans or getting put into preventative planting. 

Opening Calls

Corn mixed

Soybeans 2 to 5 cents higher

Have a great day!