COLD AND SNOW RISK LATE IN OCTOBER COULD DELAY HARVEST
A storm system will be developing in the final week of October 2023 bringing together tropical moisture from the remnants of eastern Pacific Hurricane Nora, and a disturbance dropping into the northwestern United States. Heavy rain and strong winds will be possible across portions of the central and southern Plains. In the latter half of the week and into the final days of October 2023, colder air will move in across the northern Plains with the risk of snow and gusty winds.
The greatest risk for snow will be in states that still have a lot of harvesting to do, even though harvest is running ahead of the 5-year average. As of the week ending Oct. 15, only 27% of corn was harvested in North Dakota; 37% in South Dakota; 45% in Minnesota; and 44% in Nebraska, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Cold weather is expected to linger into early November but warmer than normal conditions are expected to return by mid-month.
(Link: Successful Farming)
UK WHEAT STOCKS FORECAST TO DECLINE
With an anticipated 10% decline in production, and consumption expected to increase, wheat stocks in the United Kingdom in the 2023-24 marketing year are forecast to decrease, according to a report from the Agriculture and Horticulture (AHDB). Total wheat availability is forecast at 17.3 million tonnes, down 1.3 million tonnes from 2022-23. Production for 2023-24 is seen at 14 million tonnes, nearly 1.5 million tonnes lower than the previous year. The UK-based agency sees wheat consumption rising in both the human and industrial (5%) and animal feed (up 3%) sectors. Consumption is projected to increase by 534,000 tonnes over 2022-23 levels, rising to 15.1 million tonnes.
Barley stocks are expected to increase even though production is forecast to fall by 5%. This is partially due to a 3% decline in animal feed consumption, the AHDB said. Barley stocks in 2023-24 are projected at 8.3 million tonnes, approximately 101,000 tonnes lower than the previous season, the AHDB said. Production is seen declining 404,000 tonnes year-on-year to 6.9 million tonnes.
(Link: WorldGrain)
RUSSIAN GRAIN HARVEST ESTIMATE RAISED
Russia’s 2023-24 grain production is estimated to reach 142.2 million tonnes with exports of 65 million tonnes, Reuters reported, citing the Institute for Agricultural Market Studies (IKAR). On Oct. 10, IKAR said the corn harvest could reach 16 million tonnes this year, up from last year’s record 15.8 million tonnes. In 2022, Russia had a record grain crop of 157.7 million tonnes, including 104.2 million tonnes of wheat. While Russia is the world’s third-largest wheat producer behind China and India, it is the top exporter.
(Link: WorldGrain)
