May 16, 2017 - In This Issue:

United States Standards for Beans & Lentils

The United States Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is proposing a revision to the United States Standards for Beans to establish a class and grade requirement chart for chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. The proposal also would like to establish a new grade determining factor, definition, factor limits, and visual reference image for contrasting chickpeas. The pea and lentil industry are proposing these revisions.

GIPSA is also proposing revisions to the United States Standards for Lentils to establish an additional grading factor, definition, grade requirements, and visual reference images for wrinkled lentils. Green lentils are also part of this proposal, requesting a established special grade, definition, special grade requirements, designation, and visual reference images. 

GIPSA is going to consider all comments recevied by June 14,2017. If you are interested in submitting comments, you can either go to the link below or submit comments by mail to the methods below. 
  • Mail: M. Irene Omade, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2530-S, Washington, DC 20250-3613.
  • Hand Delivery or Courier: M. Irene Omade, GIPSA, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2530-S, Washington, DC 20250-3613.



To read more on the beans revisions, Click Here.

To read more on the lentils revisions, Click Here. 
U.S. Drought Monitor

The Midwest continued to be overwhelmed with heavy rains from southern Kansas through Missouri and into southern Illinois and Indiana. Rain amounts in the Midwest were generally within 1 to 3 inches. The Dakotas saw above-normal temperatures along with dry conditions compared to the rest of the Midwest. The short-term dryness in this region has help progress in the field work. 

Looking ahead, much of the central Plains, Midwest, and Northeast are targeted for rain. The Plains and Midwest will be 3-6 degrees above normal. 
 

USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report - 05/15/2017

Corn:
Illinois  | 75% of corn has been planted compared to 82% last year | 47% of corn has emerged

Indiana  | 56% of corn has been planted compared to 44% in 2016 | 29% of corn has emerged

Minnesota  | 84% of corn has been planted compared to 92% last year | 20% of corn has emerged

North Dakota | 58% of corn has been planted compared to 72% last year  | 8% of corn has emerged

South Dakota | 77% of corn has been planted compared to 59% in 2016 | 15% of corn has emerged

Ohio  | 49% of corn has been planted compared to 33% last year | 24% of corn has emerged
 
Soybeans:
Illinois  | 23% of soybeans have been planted compared to 28% last year

Indiana  | 4% of soybeans have been planted  compared to 3% last year

Minnesota  | 0% of soybeans have been planted  compared to 8% in 2016

North Dakota | 1% of soybeans have been planted  compared to 5% last year

South Dakota | 1% of soybeans have been planted  compared to 1% in 2016

Ohio  | 5% of soybeans have been planted  compared to 3% in 2016

 
Winter Wheat:
Illinois  | 86% of winter wheat has headed compared to 78% last year | 52% of it is in good to excellent condition

Indiana  | 59% of winter wheat has headed  compared to 51% last year | 67% is in good to excellent condition

Ohio  | 43% of winter wheat has headed  compared to 29% last year | 78% is in good to excellent condition

.
Spring Wheat
Minnesota   | 93% of spring wheat is planted compared to 95% last year | 36% has emerged

North Dakota | 72% of spring wheat has been planted compared to 84% last year | 31% of it has emerged

South Dakota | 99% of spring wheat is planted compared to 96% in 2016 | 83% of it has emerged


To see more of the Crop Progress Report, Click Here.
NGFA and NAEGA Commend Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for Trade Undersecretary Announcement

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) commended Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue for his "decisive and prompt" action in announcing a reorganization of the United States Department of Agriculture on May 11, 2017. The reorganization includes the creation of an undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs position. 

"Reorganizing its structure and mission areas along these more functional lines, combined with the appointment of strong and capable officials to fill these positions, will help ensure the ongoing success of USDA programs." 


To read more, Click Here. 
Vomitoxin Found Across the Corn Belt

High levels of deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin commonly known as vomitoxin, are being found in grain across the Corn Belt. 

Contaminated corn is a big issue especially in dried distillers grains and solubles (DDGS), according to Erin Bowers, mycotoxin sampling and analysis specialist with Iowa State University. DDGS mycotoxins tend to concentrate in animal feed at three times the levels found in the original grain. 

"This is problematic because we have a huge swine industry in Iowa, and swine are very sensitive to DON," says Bowers. 

There are some solutions to utilizing DON-contaminated grain. Beef cattle have a higher tolerance for this type of mycotoxin. 

To read more, Click Here. 
Mississippi River Re-Opens Following Extensive Flooding

On May 2, Mississippi River traffic was stopped in the St. Louis area because of extensive flooding.

The halt of traffic caused grain barges to go down 61 percent compared to the previous week.

The river was able to re-open this past week on May 8.  Barge rates went back up 4 to 15 percent at major origin locations, with the highest increase on the lower Illinois River at rates of $12.30 to $14.15 per ton.

To read more, Click Here.