Without any doubt, as a fellow member of the farming community, you have been asking more questions this year regarding what to plant, and where, than probably at any time in the past decade - or two. With the U.S. / China trade war continuing its roller coaster ride, the White House considering renegotiations with several other trading partners, a heavily reduced demand for soybeans due to both the trade war and swine flu and the historically adverse weather conditions of this spring, the markets have been all over the map.
However, it is the weather which has been recently causing the most movement within the commodity markets; especially considering that planted acres this year (2019) are half of what they were, at this time, last year (2018). For this reason, coupled with the sluggish demand for soybeans, farmers are quickly trying to plant more corn this year, and less soybeans... But then... the weather.
The expectation is that this year's corn harvest will be markedly reduced, compared to last year's, due to the unusually wet spring, which is expected to continue through late June and slow down or prevent many acres from being planted into corn.
Many farmers are not only asking themselves which crop to plant, but also whether their acres are even able to be planted...
As part of your crop insurance / risk management program, the federal government has allowed the inclusion of the Prevent Plant program, which assists farmers in the event that they are unable to plant due to muddy or submerged acres.
However, the deadlines for the Prevent Plant program are rapidly approaching, and there are rules of engagement. Not adhering to the proper deadlines or qualifying rules may disqualify your farm from this program.
Please make sure to contact us, at MidPlains Ag, as soon as possible to determine the best course of action for your non-ariable acres.