News

Acreage competition starting to heat up

Total Farm Marketing Senior Market Advisor Naomi Blohm tells Brownfield there could be last minute acreage shifts in the areas of the western Corn Belt.

“I heard seed reps from Nebraska say they had clients cancel corn seed sales to switch to edible beans,” says Blohm. “There are clients in North Dakota who are asking what happens if the snow doesn’t melt in a timely matter, because they remember years where it was such a struggle to get crops in the ground.”

Blohm says for the rest of the Corn Belt, there’s an interest in more corn acres, but input costs are a factor in the decision.

“Some folks booked their fertilizer early at higher prices and others haven’t booked it yet. That can affect your bottom line.”

Blohm says USDA’s estimate of 91 million corn acres from the Ag Outlook Forum is a fair forecast, but several variables, including weather and tight ending stocks for other grain and oilseeds, will affect actual planted acres.

The USDA’s prospective plantings report, a survey-based report using data from farmers, will be released on Friday, March 31.

Brownfield interviewed Blohm at the Commodity Classic.