The United Soybean Board and its international marketing arm – the U.S. Soybean Export Council – will host U.S. soy customers from more than 20 countries this month. That’s because the farmer-leaders of the soy checkoff recognize the importance of relationships to building markets for U.S. soy. Mississippi soybean farmer Marc Curtis is a member of USB’s international marketing program. He says face-to-face meetings mean a lot to businesses throughout the world. This year – these visits will get them out in the field to alleviate fears of not having a crop. Curtis says the visits also offer a chance to highlight sustainability.

Teams from Europe, Asia and South and Central America will tour farms, export facilities, modern livestock and poultry facilities and the Chicago Board of Trade – learning more about U.S. agriculture and U.S. soy. Curtis says the end goal is to increase demand for soybeans by making foreign buyers more comfortable with the U.S., the reliable supply the U.S. has and the quality of the product.

USB and USSEC will focus on the needs of the individual teams in hopes of continuing to grow the personal relationships needed to sell U.S. soy globally and maintain soy’s rank as one of the top U.S. agricultural exports.

Roll Call is reporting that Congress will attempt to make quick work of a six-month stopgap spending bill as lawmakers are eager to get back on the campaign trail. The Capitol Hill newspaper says the measure could serve as a vehicle for an extension of farm programs. One Senate GOP aide told Roll Call that a farm bill extension is the most realistic option for any unrelated provisions in the continuing resolution. It is unclear whether Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow would support an extension. Also unclear – how long the extension might be.

Farm groups have not supported the idea of extension – stressing the importance of a new five-year bill. But American Farm Bureau Federation Deputy Executive Director for Public Policy Dale Moore says an extension is preferable to no action at all. Moore is hopeful a Farm Bill Now rally scheduled for Wednesday will show that allowing farm programs to expire would hurt a wide section of constituencies and make the issue a political loser. He notes failure to act could lead to a rise in food prices and wreak havoc on the farming industry.

The House could clear the continuing resolution this week. The Senate is expected to follow suit next week.

Hundreds of farmers, legislative representatives and agricultural leaders will come together Wednesday to send a strong message to Congress to pass the farm bill before current farm programs expire. The Farm Bill Now rally will take place at Union Square in front of the Capitol Reflecting Pond. Members of the U.S. House and Senate will address the crowd – as will leaders from a broad range of farm, conservation, energy, consumer and nutrition organizations. Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, Kansas Senator Jerry Moran, House Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson and South Dakota Representative Kristi Noem are slated to speak at the rally.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman and National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson will serve as masters of ceremonies. Organizational speakers include Daren Coppock, Agricultural Retailers Association President and CEO; Stallman; American Farmland Trust President Jon Scholl; American Soybean Association President Steve Wellman; National Association of Conservation Districts President Gene Schmidt; National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer; and Johnson – among others.

More than 80 organizations representing a broad range of associations and coalitions representing commodity crops, livestock, dairy, specialty crops, state and local governments, minor crops, energy and biobased product groups, farm cooperatives and financial groups have endorsed the Farm Bill Now rally.

Agricultural Summary

With the northern border of the state remaining dry, the rest of the state enjoyed scattered showers.  The precipitation helped pastures but limited producers to 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork.  Topsoil moisture supply was 30 percent very short, 37 percent short, 33 percent adequate.  Subsoil moisture supply improved to 63 percent very short, 29 percent short, 8 percent adequate.

Field Crops Report

Corn mature was 91 percent, 13 days ahead of last year, and 26 days ahead of normal (5-year average).  Corn harvested at 53 percent, was 18 days ahead of last year, and 25 days ahead of normal.  Corn moisture at harvest was 15.9 percent, ranging from 13.1 percent in the west-central district to 17.6 percent in the north-central district.  Corn condition was 58 percent very poor, 26 percent poor, 11 percent fair, 4 percent good, and 1 percent excellent.  Soybeans turning color was 42 percent, 5 days ahead of last year, and 1 week ahead of normal.  Soybeans dropping leaves and beyond was 14 percent, 5 days ahead of last year, and 6 days ahead of normal.  Soybeans mature was 2 percent, 4 days ahead of last year, and 3 days ahead of normal.  Soybean harvest began.  Soybean condition was 41 percent very poor, 33 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 6 percent good, and 1 percent excellent.  Cotton opening bolls was 55 percent, 5 days ahead of last year, and 3 days ahead of normal.  Cotton harvest began.  Cotton condition was 10 percent very poor, 30 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 18 percent good, and 2 percent excellent.  Rice harvested was 31 percent, 15 days ahead of last year, and 10 days ahead of normal.  Wind flattened some rice fields.  Rice condition was 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 40 percent good, and 23 percent excellent.  Sorghum turning color and beyond was 77 percent, 5 days ahead of last year, and 1 week ahead of normal.  Sorghum mature was 34 percent, 8 days ahead of last year, and 6 days ahead of normal.  Sorghum harvest was 6 percent, 9 days ahead of last year, and 3 days ahead of normal.  Sorghum condition was 28 percent very poor, 35 percent poor, 28 percent fair, and 9 percent good. Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting was 78 percent, 3 weeks behind last year, and 13 days behind normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition improved from last week to 70 percent very poor, 22 percent poor, and 8 percent fair.  Some producers began inter-seeding to prepare for fall pastures.   Supply of hay and other roughages declined to 60 percent very short, 28 percent short, and 12 percent adequate.  Stock water supplies were 60 percent very short, 27 percent short, and 13 percent adequate.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were 1 to 2 degrees above average.  Precipitation averaged 0.99 of an inch statewide.  The east-central district received 1.69 inches followed by the southeast district with 1.64 inches.