Higher prices may prompt more corn, soybeans in South Carolina
TAGS: SOYBEANS
John HartJohn_Hart_Farm_Press_Clemson_Corn_Soybeans.jpgSoybean acreage and yields for 2020 also were strong.
South Carolina had one of the best-yielding corn crops ever in 2020.
Apr 14, 2021
Corn and soybean prices are rising which means more South Carolina farming acres could be allocated for these commodities.
During the 2021 Clemson Extension Corn and Soybean Meeting, held via Zoom, Clemson Extension corn and soybean specialist Michael Plumblee told participants 2020 was one of the “most productive years” for corn in South Carolina. Soybean acreage and yields for 2020 also were strong.
“If prices remain high, I expect we could see acreage split about even between corn, cotton and soybeans,” said Plumblee, who was named Clemson Cooperative Extension Service corn and soybean specialist in December. “Depending on what happens with fertilizer prices, corn acres may not go up quite as high as they would have, but we’re competing with soybean acres and with $14 per bushel soybeans, a price we have not seen in more than four years. Still, I do believe acreage for both commodities will increase compared with the past few years.”
South Carolina had one of the best-yielding corn crops ever in 2020. Information from the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) for 2020 shows 400,000 acres of corn were planted, yielding an average of 132 bushels per acre.
A total of 310,000 acres of soybeans were planted, yielding an average of 35 bushels per acre and 190,000 acres of cotton were planted yielding an average of 778 pounds per acre.
Much of the state’s corn and soybean acreage is located on dryland. Timely rains helped create historical yields for farmers in 2020. To help farmers hopefully continue this trend, Plumblee said the Clemson Soybean Production Guide is being updated for 2021 and will be available online soon. An updated Corn Production Guide is anticipated to be available at the beginning of 2022.
Enterpirse budgets
Plumblee also talked about soil temperature recommendations for planting corn, as well as corn and soybean Official Variety Tests (OVT) data available online and the county corn hybrid demonstrations that will be planted across the state. Enterprise budgets are now available online from the Clemson Extension agribusiness team.
“If you’re still making decisions on what hybrids or varieties you’re going to select for your farm I highly recommend you look at the variety tests data and use the enterprise budgets to help you make some of your decisions on what you’re going to plant this year,” said Plumblee who is housed at the Edisto Research and Education Center (REC).
As for current commodity prices, Nathan Smith, director of the Clemson Extension agribusiness team located at the Sandhill REC, said new crop cotton has been trading in the 78 to 80 cent per pound range. April 7 trading was slightly above 80 cents per pound. Old-crop cotton was trading roughly the same but a little lower by about half a cent per pound.
Scott Mickey, farm business consultant and member of the agribusiness team, said the prospective plantings report indicated fewer acres than the trade was expecting. Corn and soybeans traded up last Wednesday (March 31) and have been easing higher this week (April 7). November beans are trading at $12.70 per bushel and December corn is at $4.86 per bushel.
“These are attractive prices for many South Carolina producers,” Mickey said.
Following Plumblee’s presentation, researchers from the Pee Dee Research and Education Center (REC) and Edisto REC discussed insects, diseases, weeds, and fertilizer options.
The European corn borer was once a threat for South Carolina corn growers, but since the arrival of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn, populations of this pest have waned to the point of no longer being a pest for now.
“European corn borers used to be abundant here in South Carolina,” said Francis Reay-Jones, Clemson entomologist and Integrated Pest Management program coordinator housed at the Pee Dee REC. “But in the 15 years that I’ve been here, I’ve yet to see one.”
Bt corn
European corn borer populations have declined over time, in part, because of the widespread use of Bt corn. Bt products farmers buy today contain two or three toxins, expanding the range of insects that are suppressed or controlled. Toxins in Bt corn target pests above ground as well as pests below ground known as rootworms. Because rootworms tend to be more of a problem where corn is planted year after year in the same fields, this insect is not a problem in the Southeast where corn commonly is planted as a rotation crop.
Fall armyworm and corn earworm are two insects controlled or suppressed by Bt toxins in South Carolina corn crops. Fall armyworms annually migrate to South Carolina from the Caribbean and southern Florida. This insect tends to show up late in the growing season.
The corn earworm creates its own set of problems. This insect is developing resistance to several Bt toxins. Resistance issues with Bt corn are leading to resistance issues in Bt cotton.
“Resistance is a major concern because, although corn is the preferred host, corn earworms also can attack cotton, where the insect is known as bollworm, as well as soybean and other host crops,” Reay-Jones said.
Stink bugs are probably the most significant economic pest of corn in South Carolina. Stink bugs are more of a problem in corn planted in no-till fields with heavy cover, corn growing in fields adjacent to wheat, in corn planted behind soybeans and in corn fields planted near woods.
Bifenthrin should be used for stink bug management in corn.