FLOODING ON THE FARM Epic rain levels,late planting raise concerns over volume of autumn's crop drying demand

摘要

Unremitting rainfall throughout wide swaths of the nation's midsection has delayed-or in some cases canceled altogether-the planting season and put this fall's crop drying load at risk.”It is likely that propane or other crop-drying fuel markets will be strained across much of the U.S.,”says Bryon Parman,agricultural finance specialist at North Dakota State University(NDSU)Extension. In March,the U.S.Department of Agriculture(USDA)had projected nearly 93 million acres of corn would be planted nationally,with a state-record4.05 million acres in North Dakota.However,persistent cold,rain and flooding across the Midwest has led to many acres being planted late,or not planted at all.In some regions,the issue will impact soybean planting as well.The June 10 USDA crop progress report showed only 83 percent of corn planted nationally,compared to the 99 percent typical by this date,and 93 percent in North Dakota compared to 98 percent on average.Some states are much further behind-with Illinois at 73 percent planted,compared to 100 percent on average,and South Dakota 64 percent planted compared to 99 percent on average.