USDA Crop Progress Report Released.

Apr 18, 2016

USDA Released the Crop Progress Report.

U.S. corn planting is off to a good start and ahead of the five year average.

As of Sunday, 13% of this year’s crop is planted, up 9% on the week and 5% ahead of the normal pace. At 58% complete, Missouri is the furthest along and also made the largest week to week jump.

57% of winter wheat is rated good to excellent, up 1% from a week ago, and 12% has headed, a little bit behind average.

27% of spring wheat is planted, compared to the five year average of 19%.

The USDA is expected to report the first soybean planting number of the season next week.

To see the whole Crop Progress Report and state breakdown visit

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProg/CropProg-04-18-2016.pdf

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.