Mississippi: Crop Harvest Going Well, Average Yields

“Snow” showing on the edges of highways and naked floor seen for miles is a positive indication that row crop harvest in Mississippi is properly underway.

As of early October, the vast majority of the 2022 crop was already harvested, though a lot work stays for sure crops.

Will Maples, agricultural economist with the Mississippi State College Extension Service, mentioned the value outlook for 2022 crops is shaping as much as be good.

“Commodity costs throughout the board are increased than we’ve got seen the final couple of years,” Maples mentioned.

For every of the state’s main row crops, present costs are increased than 2021 costs and considerably increased than 2020 costs.

“Many market components have contributed to the present market power,” he mentioned. “Cotton costs have been boosted from report abandonment of acreage on account of drought circumstances in west Texas. Decrease planted acreage and yield outlook nationally is main in the direction of a brief corn crop. The Ukraine/Russia Battle added volatility into the world markets early within the 12 months, particularly to the wheat and corn markets.”

Regardless of excessive costs, income are tight due to elevated manufacturing prices for the 2022 crop. Producers should market rigorously with value objectives set to reap the benefits of present excessive costs.

“Excessive costs include excessive value volatility available in the market,” Maples mentioned. “Producers contemplating holding any manufacturing on the market later within the crop 12 months want to look at the chance administration instruments obtainable to make sure they cowl these increased manufacturing prices.”

Corn was the primary row crop accomplished. Erick Larson, Extension grain crop agronomist, mentioned a late planting for many of the state’s corn had the crop creating in the course of the hottest a part of summer time.

“We had a lot hotter and drier climate throughout June and July than regular,” Larson mentioned. “This took a toll on the corn crop, particularly the dryland acres dependent upon pure rainfall. That diminished yield potential, bringing it to an anticipated state common of about 172 bushels an acre.”

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Since 2017, Mississippi growers have harvested between 174 and 189 bushels an acre on common.

The U.S. Division of Agriculture estimated rice was 80% harvested by Oct. 2. Hunter Bowman, Extension rice specialist, mentioned the crop had an excellent 12 months and harvest has progressed properly.

“Enter costs, particularly fertilizer, damage the variety of rice acres planted in Mississippi this 12 months,” Bowman mentioned. “On the optimistic facet, with fewer acres planted in such a labor-intensive crop as rice, growers have been capable of focus extra on the rice they did plant.”

The newest USDA report estimates state common rice yields might be 2 bushels per acre decrease than in 2021, however Bowman mentioned he stays optimistic that common yields will surpass that mark if favorable harvest climate continues.

Trent Irby, MSU Extension soybean specialist, mentioned Mississippi soybean producers planted about 2.3 million acres of this crop in 2022 and had harvested simply over half of it as of Oct. 2.

“All indications from what’s been harvested up to now are that we’re taking a look at a mean yield for the 12 months,” Irby mentioned. “Some fields have been good, whereas others have been disappointing. This isn’t stunning contemplating the warmth of the summer time and the dearth of rainfall that many areas skilled.”

The state’s common soybean yield is 54 bushels an acre, a quantity that has been rising as producers have set and tied the report common yield a number of occasions in the previous few years.

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“The short-term forecast stays favorable for harvesting, so retaining the combines shifting and storing the harvested soybean are prime precedence proper now,” Irby mentioned.

USDA estimates 31% of the peanut crop was harvested by Oct. 2. Brendan Zurweller, MSU Extension peanut specialist, predicts a mean yield primarily based on challenges in the course of the rising season.

“The dry, sizzling climate in late June and July and waterlogged areas from current heavy rainfall in central Mississippi slowed plant progress,” Zurweller mentioned. “Insect and illness stress was common and particular illness stress was on a field-by-field foundation.”

Cotton producers in Mississippi are deep into harvest, with the USDA estimating 28% of the crop harvested as of Oct. 2. There have been about 490,000 acres of cotton planted in Mississippi in 2022.

Brian Pieralisi, Extension cotton specialist, mentioned that, though cotton was off to an excellent begin at planting, moist climate in August triggered some boll harm decrease within the cover and delayed harvest a bit in locations.

“Defoliation has been the most important concern going through cotton producers as a result of cool nighttime temperatures,” Pieralisi mentioned. “Defoliation is taking longer, and defoliants don’t work as properly in cool temperatures.”

Cotton harvest started within the Delta round Clarksdale and Greenwood, however growers have been nonetheless defoliating in lots of locations. Cotton takes two weeks from defoliation till harvest can start.

In the present day, cotton is most effectively harvested with a baler picker than with a basket picker. A baler picker requires one operator and might harvest as much as 100 acres a day.

Pieralisi mentioned he’s optimistic that the state’s common cotton yield will match or beat the 1,116 kilos picked per acre in 2021.

“The extraordinarily sizzling, dry summer time was our No. 1 limiting issue,” Pieralisi mentioned. “Irrigated cotton did very properly, however early-planted, dryland cotton suffered probably the most.”

Though it’s not a row crop, hay is necessary because it helps the state’s cattle trade.

Rocky Lemus, Extension forage specialist, mentioned hay manufacturing declined this 12 months on account of climate and a rise in nitrogen and different fertilizer prices. Mississippi has about 610,000 acres in hay manufacturing, and these acres yield a mean of two.5 tons of hay per 12 months, with the totals various broadly primarily based on fertilization charges and forage species.

“Fertilizer costs cannot solely impression yields, but in addition nutritive worth,” Lemus mentioned. “Producers have a tendency to focus on producing extra biomass whereas compromising the nutritive worth, or crude protein and vitality, within the hay. That may improve the necessity for the supplementation of commodity feeds, making the price of feeding dearer.”

These with further hay might be able to promote some at increased costs than regular due to excessive hay demand in Texas and different states battling drought or wildfires.

“Now could be the time for producers to take samples and decide an motion plan for higher nutrient administration for subsequent 12 months,” Lemus mentioned.