Thursday, August 31, 2023

Drought hampers soybeans

Drought is hampering soybeans in the main production area of the United States “raising concerns about the availability of supplies,” said Robobank.


Scouts participating in the recent Pro Framer Crop Tour found sporadic and highly variable yields for both corn and soybeans, especially across the western corn belt, it said.


Record high temperatures and dry conditions in August have negatively impacted both crops. At this stage of the growing season, yield loss due to ongoing heat stress is a much greater risk for soybeans than for corn.  


The soybean situation compounds a 4.6 decline in acres planted.


In addition to drought and heat stress, sudden death syndrome was widely noticed by scouts, as was white mold.


But in Ontario, soybean fields look exceptionally good this summer.


Soybean oil prices are already high relative to soybean meal, driven by demand for diesel fuel.