The Crops in the Bin

My farmers may actually make money this coming year. Yields and prices look good, a combo local agriculture hasn't seen since 2000 (?). A straw poll of the yield:

• Wheat - The crop averaged in the 40 + bu/ac. range somewhere. Lots of 40 plus and many 50 bu/ac fields. Protein content is not as high as expected (12% plus on ave.) good, but not what we expected given the heat. Good quality. Do the math - 45 bu.X $.4.50 bu = $202.50 per acre. $20 to $50 per acre margin depending on costs
• Canola - The other big crop in southwest Man. Yields will be lucky to average 30 bu/acre. The Invigor hybrids from Bayer CropScience yielded 10% more from my estimation and the Invigor 5020 [I market this one] had a 5% higher advantage (15% total).Now do the math - 28 bu X $6 bu. = $168 per acre (break even or make less than $10 margin) An extra couple of bu. or an extra $.50 per bu. means double your margin
• Feed Barley - Big range in yield 50 to 90 bu/ac (90 bu. the extream) ave. likely 60 bu.. Not really a crop grown for cash in most cases, but lots grown for on farm feed supply. (Some grain farms supply hog barns or a local cattle farmer and try for cash) Yields varied depending on producer imput and seeding date. Math is not good - 60 bu X $1.75 bu. = $105 per acre. THAT'S $50 PER ACRE LOSS. I don't think it covers cash outlay. Even an excellent yield and premiun pricing - 90 bu X $1.85 = $166.50 acre - is still tight margin, $10 per acre. Good marketing and good production standards could make you a dollar here. Oh yes Conlin feed barley is the standout variety
• Malt barley - 55 to 80 bu per acre. The quality of soil, the amount of rain and the variety accounted for differences. Legacy a six row malt grown on contract did well for my growers (75 bu/ac est.) Protein numbers are all high this year (12%) but sounds like it's being accepted. Bushel weights are high. Math goes like this - 75 bu X $2.50 = $187.50 per acre, a $10 to $20 acre margin. $.10 to $.15 less per bu. or 5 bu less would wipe out margin

Next post will be some special crop numbers. I want to look at fall weed control (Dandelions, Canada Thistle, and Quack grass) this week to