Anhydrous of use to both farmers, dealers
When farmers stock up for the spring on large quantities of anhydrous ammonia for use in planting their crops, they should be aware that they have a substance in significant demand by drug dealers.
Farmers use the ammonia as a low-cost, nitrogen-based fertilizer when planting their crops in the spring. The chemical is also an ingredient in the production of methamphetamine.
The Illinois attorney general's office issued an advisory to farmers, warning them to take whatever security measures are necessary so their ammonia is not stolen by would-be dealers.
Officials cited police statistics showing in Illinois alone, 666 meth labs were seized by law enforcement authorities during 2001, up significantly from 24 labs in 1997.
There also is risk because the ammonia is a hazardous chemical, if not used properly.
"Anhydrous ammonia is one of the most dangerous ag chemicals we use," University of Illinois agriculture safety specialist Bob Aherin said.
"Because it's stored in pressurized tanks, there is always the threat of explosion," Aherin said. "If the tank valves are opened too much, or a hose breaks, the chemical can explode out of those valves for hoses."
Anhydrous also can explode if placed in improper containers, such as propane tanks from barbecue grills.
Transporting anhydrous ammonia in an improper container is a felony punishable by up to three years in prison -- the same penalty for production of methamphetamine.
Tampering with equipment or storage facilities is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail.
"I guess people are willing to take all these risks because of the high value of the drug on the street," Ahern said. "But anhydrous ammonia is really not something that should be messed with."
Iraq War could hurt wheat exports
Wheat growers in the Pacific Northwest are worried the war in Iraq will mean a loss of exports.
They remember the lost exports to Iran that occurred 23 years ago due to the hostage crisis. Iran used to be a major customer of the United States, buying significant quantities of soft white wheat grown in the region.
Tom Mick, chief executive of the Washington Wheat Commission, said two overseas trips to promote wheat exports have been canceled due in part at least to concern about the danger of traveling in, or near, war zones.
Flour millers seem less concerned. Tom Wahl, a trade and marketing specialist, says he doubts the war will have any great effect on bulk goods sales abroad. However, the war could affect packaged goods that identify their source.
Seaweed helps cows keep cool
Cows can't go to the seashore to keep cool when the mercury climbs into the 90s or more in July and August. But dairy farmers can help those cows keep cool in their barns by adding just a little seaweed to their feed rations.
University of Missouri researchers used a product known as Tasco-14, which is processed by Acadian Agritech of Nova Scotia in Canada. The company converts the seaweed into a meal and that makes up just 1 percent of the cows' rations.
Scientists say they don't know why the seaweed does the job but they are looking into the meal hoping to find the component that is responsible.
(by E.W. Kieckhefer)
European reforms hit farmland prices
The price of farmland in European nations has dropped by up to 15 percent this year because of uncertainty created by proposed European Union reforms.
The London Telegraph reported Monday the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors blamed proposals to tie subsidies to the farmer of the land, not the land itself.
Such a change would enable tenants to cash in their entitlement, which has decreased the desire for people in the land sale and rental market. Land prices fell by 12 percent the end of 2002 and 10-15 percent thus far this year.
Crop plantings continue
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday 10 percent of the winter wheat crop is headed, compared to 4 percent last week, 8 percent at this time last year and 11 percent average the past five years. Fifty-three percent of the crop is expected in excellent or good condition, with 32 percent fair and 15 percent poor or very poor.
For corn, 12 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 5 percent last week, 12 percent last year and 10 percent the past five years.
For cotton, 12 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 8 percent last week, 14 percent last year and 12 percent the past five years.
For sorghum, 17 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 15 percent last week, 17 percent last year and 16 percent the past five years.
For rice, 46 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 26 percent last week, 38 percent last year and 36 percent the past five years. Of that, 16 percent is emerged, compared to 9 percent last week, 20 percent last year and 17 percent the past five years.
For sugarbeets, 33 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 15 percent last week, 18 percent last year and 21 percent the past five years.
For spring wheat, 25 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 13 percent last week, 11 percent last year and 15 percent the past five years.
For barley, 22 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 13 percent last week, 14 percent last year and 18 percent the past five years.
For oats, 34 percent of the crop is planted, compared to 16 percent last week, 30 percent last year and 28 percent the past five years. Of that, 5 percent is emerged, compared to 4 percent last year and 4 percent the past five years.
Grains mostly lower on CBOT
Grain futures were mostly lower at the close Monday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybean fell on massive soybean sales in China triggered by fears related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome.
Corn fell on pressure from soybeans and beliefs price gains last week were overdone.
Wheat rose on weekend weather conditions and solid export inspection figures.
Oats were lower.
The prices:
Soybeans: May 6.16 1/2 off 5 1/2, Jul 6.16 1/2 off 5 3/4, Aug 6.03 1/4 off 6 1/4, Nov 5.36 off 2 1/2.
Corn: May 2.38 3/4 off 2, Jul 2.39 1/4 off 2 1/4, Sep 2.37 3/4 off 2 1/4, Dec 2.38 1/4 off 2 1/4.
Wheat: May 2.90 1/4 up 4 1/4, Jul 2.93 1/4 up 3 1/2, Sep 2.98 1/4 up 1 3/4, Dec 3.08 1/4 up 1 3/4.
Oats: May 1.76 off 8 1/2, Jul 1.55 off 5, Sep 1.46 1/2 off 3 1/2, Dec 1.45 1/4 off 2 3/4.
