UPI Farming Today

Drought makes Arizona a disaster area

The federal government declared Arizona a disaster area, noting extreme drought conditions have overtaken virtually the entire state.

"We have heard from your governor and congressional delegation first-hand about the impact the drought has had in Arizona," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said.

"This emergency assistance will help farmers and ranchers recover from these devastating effects and losses," she said.

Efforts to control the forest fire currently blazing through the Prescott National Forest are being aggravated by the intensely dry weather conditions throughout the state.

"It appears that dry conditions and high winds have made this task very difficult," Veneman said.

The disaster declaration makes all qualified farmers eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months to apply for loans to help cover losses. Amounts for the loans will be determined for each farmer based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

In recent months, the federal government has declared many counties in various states disaster areas because of dry weather conditions sweeping through the Southwest, Plains and Southeast.

But this was the first time an entire state received a disaster declaration due to drought problems.

How severe is the problem?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Drought Monitor last week showed "extreme drought" conditions to stretch from Arizona and New Mexico north through parts of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.

Of those states, "extreme drought" most dominated Arizona. The entire state was under "extreme" status, except for the far southwestern corner, which was labeled "severe."

Crops/hay:

The wet weather conditions in the Midwest that have caused planting delays for corn and soybeans may wind up causing another problem.

Purdue University researchers note farmers may finally be able to plant those crops at the same time that hay crops are ready for cutting.

Forage specialist Keith Johnson notes that hay harvests usually take place in late May, about the time that farmers are done with their spring planting. This year's wet conditions have caused delays and could result in backups of fieldwork in upcoming weeks.

"Lots of things ought to happen in the days that are available, and there's just not going to be enough hours in the day to do too many things," Johnson said.

Foot and mouth:

Officials in South Korea have confirmed three more cases of foot and mouth disease at two hog farms in the Asian nation.

Infected pigs were found at farms in Anseong -- about 35 miles from Seoul -- where the first outbreak in South Korea was reported earlier this month.

Officials had been culling nearly 2,000 pigs and an Agriculture Ministry aide said all would be slaughtered as a precautionary measure.

Ethanol:

The General Assembly in Missouri has approved a bill requiring plants that manufacture ethanol to be at least 51 percent farmer-owned to qualify for state government aid payments.

The bill also eliminates mandatory ethanol fuel pump labels and bans the methyl tertiary-butyl ether additive.

Missouri Gov. Bob Holden is expected to approve the bill later this summer, along with separate measures that provide a reliable funding source for state programs that promote ethanol use. Ethanol is a blend of corn byproducts that is added to gasoline.

Crop progress:

The National Agriculture Statistics Service reported Monday that 70 percent of the corn crop is planted, compared to 62 percent last week, 88 percent at this time last year and 87 percent average for the past five years. Thirty-four percent of the crop is emerged, compared to 21 percent last week and 62 percent last year.

For soybeans, 30 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 17 percent last week, 55 percent last year and 50 percent the past five years. Six percent of the crop is emerged, compared to 3 percent last week and 27 percent last year.

For winter wheat, 64 percent of the crop is headed, compared to 53 percent last week, 66 percent last year and 65 percent the past five years. Thirty-three percent of the crop is in excellent or good condition, with 31 percent fair and 36 percent poor or very poor.

For cotton, 69 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 55 percent last week, 70 percent last year and 67 percent the past five years.

For spring wheat, 71 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 47 percent last week, 75 percent last year and 78 percent the past five years. Thirty-three percent is emerged, compared to 16 percent last week, 41 percent last year and 53 percent the past five years.

For barley, 74 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 48 percent last week, 79 percent last year and 78 percent the past five years. Thirty-four percent is emerged, compared to 21 percent last week, 47 percent last year and 53 percent the past five years.

For oats, 83 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 68 percent last week, 85 percent last year and 87 percent the past five years. Fifty-six percent is emerged, compared to 43 percent last week, 62 percent last year and 68 percent the past five years. Sixty-four percent of the crop is expected excellent or good, with 32 percent fair and 4 percent poor or very poor.

For sorghum, 36 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 30 percent last week, 43 percent last year and 38 percent the past five years.

For rice, 89 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 83 percent last week, 95 percent last year and 90 percent the past five years. Seventy-six percent is emerged, compared to 67 percent last week, 82 percent last year and 70 percent the past five years. Sixty-two percent is excellent to good, with 29 percent fair and 9 percent poor or very poor.

For peanuts, 61 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 37 percent last week, 67 percent last year and 62 percent the past five years.

For sugarbeets, 90 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 76 percent last week, 81 percent last year and 90 percent the past five years.

For sunflowers, 6 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 8 percent last year.

Grains:

Grain futures were higher at the close Monday on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Soybeans and corn rose on despite beliefs weather conditions will be drier in coming days, allowing farmers to get planting done. Also helping soybeans was word China was considering buying a significant amount of U.S.-grown crop in coming days.

Wheat was up on unseasonably cold temperatures while oats benefited from influence from other commodities.

The prices:

Soybeans: Jul 4.91 1/4 up 3 3/4, Aug 4.86 1/2 up 4 1/4, Sep 4.77 3/4 up 4 3/4, Nov 4.74 up 6.

Corn: Jul 2.11 1/2 up 2 1/2, Sep 2.17 1/2 up 2 1/4, Dec 2.26 1/2 up 2 1/4, Mar 2.33 1/2 up 2.

Wheat: Jul 2.76 3/4 up 3, Sep 2.81 3/4 up 3, Dec 2.91 3/4 up 2 1/2, Mar 2.96 up 2 1/2.

Oats: Jul 1.59 1/4 up 3 1/2, Sep 1.28 1/4 up 3/4, Dec 1.30 1/2 up 3/4, Mar 1.34 up 1.