The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture crop progress report rates 19 percent of the national corn crop in excellent condition, 57 percent in good condition, 19 percent fair and 5 percent percent poor to very poor. National soybean conditions include 14 percent excellent, 57 percent good, 22 percent fair and 7 percent poor to very poor. Allendale reports this morning that in both the case of the corn and the soybean crop- the crop ratings were evidence of a great crop- and that is pressuring prices.

The national grain sorghum is 11 percent excellent, 57 percent good, 29 percent fair and 3 percent poor. National cotton conditions include 9 percent excellent, 45 percent good, 36 percent fair and 10 percent poor to very poor. For the complete USDA Crop Progress report, click here. 


In the weekly crop progress report from USDA, Oklahoma corn silk reached 62 percent, down 11 points from the previous year and down 10 points from normal. Sorghum headed reached 30 percent, down 2 points from the previous year but up 2 points from normal. Sorghum coloring reached 2 percent, unchanged from the previous year but down 1 points from normal. Soybeans planted reached 95 percent, up 3 points from the previous year but down 2 points from normal. Soybeans blooming reached 16 percent, up 1 point from the previous year but down 2 points from normal. Cotton squaring reached 43 percent, up 2 points from the previous year but down 3 points from normal.

Click here for the full Oklahoma report.


Texas row crops continued to make progress statewide. Mature corn reached 32 percent last week. That's 13 points higher than this time last year. Sorghum harvest has started in some parts of the state and is 25 percent complete. Across the state, it was 76 percent headed, which is 6 points higher than the five-year average. Soybeans were 50 percent bloomed, and cotton was right on par with the five-year average rate of open bolls at 5 percent.

Click here for the full Texas report.


In the weekly crop progress report from USDA, Kansas winter wheat harvested was 98 percent, near 95 last year and the five-year average of 97. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 25 fair, 58 good, and 11 excellent. Corn silking was 63 percent, near 59 both last year and average. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 6 poor, 33 fair, 54 good, and 6 excellent. Soybeans blooming was 38 percent, ahead of 28 last year, and near 34 average. Setting pods was 5 percent, equal to last year, and near 4 average. Sorghum condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 23 fair, 66 good, and 9 excellent. Sorghum headed was 13 percent, ahead of 2 last year and 5 average. Coloring was 1 percent, near 0 both last year and average.

Click here for the Kansas report. 

For farmers and ranchers, immigration reform must balance agriculture's need for a dependable supply of agricultural labor with enhanced security at our nation's border. A new video produced by the American Farm Bureau Federation highlights those issues, but with political debate ramping up and no practical solutions on the horizon, farmers say important areas of U.S. food production are at risk.


Farmers and ranchers know that you cannot address immigration reform without tackling the issue of border security, said AFBF President Zippy Duvall, who recently saw the delicate balance between the two issues during a tour of agriculture and border security efforts in Arizona.


Across the nation, farmers and ranchers are experiencing a labor crisis. Reliable and skilled farm workers are harder to come by with each harvest season. And, without an efficient and legal way for a dependable supply of farm workers to enter the country, more U.S. crops are being left to rot in the field. That means consumers will be less able to enjoy American-grown products, according to the video.


"Our country's going need to make up its mind. We're either going to import our agricultural labor or we'll have to import our food. Most Americans would opt for food grown on our own soil by American farmers. To keep that option viable, we must act soon," Duvall said.

Click here to read more about immigration reform and watch AFBF's video.

Click here to read more about Dr. Peel's travel observations.

Southern Plains producers who are interested in learning how to maximize canola crop productivity should plan now to attend one of two early August winter canola schools taking place in Lahoma on Aug. 2, and Weatherford on Aug. 4.


"Many wheat producers have experienced significant value and benefits by growing winter canola as part of their crop rotation, taking advantage of solid canola prices while also helping to clean up their wheat fields without taking on undue management costs," said Josh Lofton, Oklahoma State University Cooperative System cropping systems specialist. 


Lofton added it is important for producers to stay abreast of the latest information as ongoing research and grower experiences continue to refine the region's production of winter canola. 


There is no charge to attend either of the canola schools, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to the noon hour. Programs will be the same for both events. Lunch will be provided courtesy of Dekalb Seeds.


Click here to find more details and registration information for both schools.

 
Farmers and agriculture groups all fear anti-trade talk at this week's Republican National Convention in Cleveland. They are also are looking for the presumptive nominee to keep pushing for reform of the regulatory agenda in D.C. Donald Trump has come out against the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and threatened to impose high tariffs on China.

Regarding trade- Trump's selection of Indiana Governor Mike Pence has brought some optimism back into the Ag sector. Pence is an outspoken supporter of the TPP and the other trade deals. House Ag Committee Chair Mike Conaway has offered to advise the Trump Campaign on farm policy, but they haven't responded. 

Conaway will be joined by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Pat Roberts at the Great American Farm Luncheon on Wednesday. It's an event organized by agribusiness interests at the Republican National Convention. Roberts hopes that Trump will keep up his criticism of President Obama on regulations, saying "our candidate has hit that one out of the park."

Senator Roberts spoke yesterday afternoon to the convention- saying "The Obama-Clinton administration has made their (farmers') job nearly impossible with regulation. They actually feel ruled, not governed. We need a champion for rural and small town America who lift the yoke of regulation and we have one," Trump's running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence."