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CME: 2010 Corn Planting Substantially Complete

US - USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report indicates that 2010 corn planting is substantially complete as of Saturday with 93 per cent of intended acres planted, write Steve Meyer and Len Steiner.

That figure rivals the 2005 planting clip as of this week (95 per cent) for the fastest ever but the bulk of this year’s acres were planted earlier than those of 2005, driving high expectations for 2010 yields. As can be seen, this year’s pace is FAR AHEAD of 2009 when just over 60 per cent of corn acres had been planted by this date. While yields were record-large last year, late planting and cool summer weather negatively impacted the quality of last year’s corn crop and the performance of livestock this crop year.

Though corn planting was the fastest ever this year, corn emergence is still lagging the best-ever pace of 2000. As of May 23, 71 per cent of corn had emerged. That compares with 30 per cent last year, a computed 5-year average of 51 per cent and USDA’s published 5-year average of 62 per cent. The linear increases of 16 per cent per week over the past two weeks underscore the impact of cool, overcast, generally rainy weather in many major corn growing regions.

The recent weather pattern has kept corn crop condition ratings near historical levels in spite of the record planting pace. 71 per cent of corn acres were rated good or excellent this week, up from 67 per cent last week. There was no rating for corn in last year’s concurrent week. This week’s 71 per cent good-excellent tied for fourth in the historical data with 1994’s 78 per cent being the highest on record.

Soybean planting is progressing at a far slower pace due to continuing wet weather in many areas. Only 15 per cent of total acres were planted last week, bringing the season-to-date total to 53 per cent. That compares to 48 per cent for the same week last year and a computed average of 66 per cent over the past 5 years. 24 per cent of soybeans had emerged as of Saturday. That number is sharply higher than last year’s 14 per cent but lower than the computed 5-year average of 27.2 per cent.

It is safe to say that the 2010 crop is progressing well at this point. Slower-than-average soybean planting poses little problem — at this point in time.

DLR readers are reminded of CME Group’s webinar regarding dried distillers’ grains (DDGs) coming up Wednesday, May 26 at 2:00 p.m. CDT. Readers can attend the session in-person at the Visito Center Auditorium at 141 W. Jackson St. or tune in on the internet by registering at www.cmegroup. com/ ddgwebinar. DLR author Dr Steve Meyer will be joined by Dr Darrell Mark of the University of Nebrasks to discuss the production, characteristics and uses of DDGs as well as the performance and costs impacts they have on livestock production.

For those who may not be familiar with DDGs — they are a primary co-product of ethanol production. Each bushel of corn that is fermented produces roughly 2.8 gallons of ethanol, 17 pounds of DDGs and 17-19 pounds of CO₂. The trade of 56 pounds of corn for 17 pounds of DDGs is not necessarily a good one for the livestock and poultry sectors but that 17 pounds of usable feed ingredients has helped reduce diet costs from where they would have been had DDGs not been available. Since ethanol production converts the starch in corn into ethanol and CO₂, DDGs are high in protein, fiber, fat and minerals. They still have a relatively high dietary energy content but that energy comes from fat instead of starch. Cattle and other ruminants can use the fiber and low-quality protein very efficiently. They can be added to hog and poultry rations but their relatively low-quality protein limits their usefulness to some degree. Tune in to learn more.

Live Well Event Motivates Health Professionals to Recommend Beef

Melissa Slagle

The June Live Well 2010: A Return to Real Food and Simple Pleasures event, funded by the beef checkoff, was designed to engage and mobilize top-tier health professionals and credentialed members of the nutrition media, providing them with new research and tools to incorporate beef nutrition information into their education efforts. Held at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone in Napa Valley, the event brought together scientific, culinary, beef industry and consumer experts who provided a closer look at the latest beef nutrition scientific research, and discussed aspects of food production from the pasture to the plate.

Participants included 29 credentialed food and nutrition media who collectively reach millions of beef consumers, ranging from authors to food bloggers to a Food Network host; former American Dietetic Association (ADA) national spokespeople; and high-profile health professionals from across the country.

“This event enabled attendees to engage in an open discussion about beef nutrition, preparation and cut knowledge and how beef is produced so they can recommend beef with confidence,” says Daniel Smith, chair of the checkoff's Joint Nutrition and Health Committee and cow-calf producer from Stamping Ground, Ky. “It also aimed at building and enhancing the beef checkoff’s relationships with leading health and nutrition professionals and credentialed media to further position the beef experts as a top-of-mind credible, reliable resources for beef nutrition research, facts, trends and insights.”

Americans get the majority of their food and nutrition information from television, magazines and social media. In fact, according to the International Food Information Council’s 2009 “Food & Health Survey,” consumers rank the writers, editors and bloggers responsible for generating this content, along with health professionals, among the most credible information resources available to them.

Additionally, according to research conducted by Pelegrin Research Group on behalf of the beef checkoff, health and nutrition media professionals rely on sources they perceive to be scientifically sound and unbiased to keep their knowledge of food and nutrition up to date, identify new research or trends and to fact check nutrition-related news. This “signature event” provided a unique occasion for the beef checkoff to provide a comprehensive beef immersion experience showcasing the essential role beef plays in a healthy diet.

“By the end of the experience, beef was in the minds and on the forks of the attendees, and the education and engagement provided will benefit beef farmers and ranchers for years to come,” concludes Smith. “In turn, these attendees will educate their readers and fans as they develop editorial pieces based on their experience beyond the event’s conclusion.”

For more information about nutrition events funded by your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.