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MN Wheat Weekly Wheatsource

MN Wheat Weekly Wheatsource

Wheat Harvest 2020 (Erica Oakley, US Wheat Associates)

  • This is the final weekly report for HRW harvest; sample analysis continues with a final summary to be issued in mid-October. SW harvest is winding down under hot, dry conditions and data still reflect low protein, low moisture and good test weight. HRS harvest is nearly 90% complete and this year’s crop currently grades at U.S. No. 1 Northern Spring. The northern durum crop is much improved over 2019 and currently grades at U.S. No. 1 Hard Amber Durum. The final 2020 SRW crop report was issued Aug. 28.

US Wheat Price Report (Claire Hutchins)

  • Technical selling pressured all wheat futures prices week-over-week. CBOT soft red winter (SRW) December futures ended 8 cents down at $5.42/bu. KCBT hard red winter (HRW) December futures lost 1 cent to close at $4.71/bu. MGE hard red spring (HRS) December futures fell 10 cents to end at $5.32/bu. CBOT December corn futures gained 10 cents to close at $3.68/bu. CBOT January soybean futures added 26 cents to end at $9.99/

Commercial Sales

  • This week’s commercial sales of 484,000 metric tons (MT) for delivery in 2020/21, as of Sept. 3, were down 17% from last week’s 585,000 MT but within trade expectations of 250,000 MT to 600,000 MT. Year-to-date commercial sales now total 12.9 million metric tons (MMT), 8% ahead of last year’s pace. USDA expects the United States will export 26.5 MMT in 2020/21, up 1% from last year, if realized.

US Wheat Full Supply & Demand Report:
https://www.uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SD-200611-40th.pdf

MN Crop Progress Report (USDA) September 8th (USDA)

  • Harvest 97% Complete – 15 days ahead of last year
  • Top Soil Moisture – 2% Very Short, 8% Short, 80% Adequate, & 10% Surplus
  • Sub Soil Moisture – 3% Very Short, 10% Short, 78% Adequate, & 9% Surplus

National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) Update (Caitlin Eannello)

NAWG Applauds Congressional COVID-19 Wheat Letters to USDA

On September 02, 2020, 21 Senators, led by Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), issued a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture “regarding the deteriorating economic conditions being experienced by wheat farmers across the country” and the compounding impact this is having with COVID-19. NAWG issued a statement applauding the Senators for their work. The Senate Agriculture Committee issued a release as well Senator Klobuchar (D-MN)’s office on the letter.

Shortly after, on September 4th, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03), House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (MN-07), House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Mike Conaway (TX-11), and 23 other House colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting funds in the CARES Act be provided to wheat growers of all wheat varieties to address price impacts from COVID-19. NAWG issued a press release in support of the letter. Congressman Lucas (OK-03) also issued a release.

Below are some media interviews NAWG carried out around the letters:

USDA Reminds Farmers of September 30 Deadline to Update Safety-Net Program Crop Yields

On September 8, 2020, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) issued a statement reminding farm owners that they have a one-time opportunity to update Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program yields for covered commodities on the farm. The deadline is September 30, 2020, to update yields, which are used to calculate the PLC payments for 2020 through 2023. Additionally, producers who elected Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) should also consider updating their yields. Read more here.

The USDA is asking for suggestions on how to increase United States agricultural production by 40% through innovative technologies. Under their Agriculture Innovation Agenda (AIA), the USDA strives to assist farmers in adopting new management tools so they can meet the needs of the 2050 global population, while also decreasing the environmental footprint of American agriculture. NAWG is working on providing input to this USDA effort. You can view the full release here.

Industry News (MN Farm Bureau Federation Weekly Impact Update)

  • State Legislative Update

Last week, lawmakers reconvened in Saint Paul for the fourth special session of 2020. On a historic day, September 11, lawmakers rehashed the debate on Governor Walz use of the peacetime emergency powers and the Senate took up confirmation of agency commissioners.

As in June, July and August, the resolution to end the peacetime emergency failed to pass the DFL-controlled House of Representatives on a vote of 67-64. In the Republican-controlled Senate, the resolution passed with bipartisan support, 36-31. Both bodies are required to adopt the resolution in order to terminate the peacetime emergency. Minnesota remains under a peacetime emergency until October 12, 2020. The first emergency order was enacted March 13, 2020.

The Senate took up confirmation of agency commissioners following the vote on the peacetime emergency powers. Lawmakers confirmed Janet Johnson in her role as Commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services and later removed Steve Kelley of the Department of Commerce.

Commissioner Kelley is the second commissioner to not be confirmed by the Senate. During the August special session, the Senate did not confirm Nancy Leppink as Commissioner of Labor and Industry.

  • Presidential Candidates Respond to AFBF Questionnaire

A new look into the priorities for rural America of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden is revealed in responses to a questionnaire distributed by the American Farm Bureau Federation. AFBF asked the Republican and Democratic candidates to respond with their stances on several topics directly affecting America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities, including trade, labor, regulatory reform and sustainability.

The questionnaire includes 12 questions. In addition to the topics listed above, it covers food system resiliency post-pandemic, rural life and health, biotechnology, clean water, the Endangered Species Act, energy, taxes and farm policy programs.

The answers are presented as they were received, unedited, to give members an unfiltered look at each candidate’s platform. AFBF has invited candidates from both parties to respond to election questionnaires for more than 40 years.

The survey is available now on FB.org/election2020.