Grain Futures: As of 4:00 p.m. on Dec. 3, corn and soybean futures were higher compared to the week before, but wheat was down.
For March 2016, corn was $3.77/bushel, up from $3.7025/bushel in the previous report. The May 2016 price for corn was $3.8275/bushel, and trading of December 2016 corn contracts checked in at $3.995/bushel, a rise from $3.9175/bushel.
The January 2016 soybean price was $8.975/bushel, rising from $8.60/bushel. Soybeans for March 2016 were $9.0025/bushel, up from the previous week’s $8.63/bushel. Soybeans for November 2016 were posted at $9.1675/bushel, higher than $8.795/bushel in the last report.
Wheat for March 2016 was $4.765/bushel. July 2016 wheat was $4.9725/bushel, a decrease from $4.98/bushel, and September 2016 wheat contracts traded at $5.1125/bushel.
Eastern Cornbelt: Wet weather kept fall field activities to a minimum in much of the Eastern Cornbelt last week. Several sources said they thought the fall season was over in their areas, although some said they expect dry spreading activity to resume in their areas as weather and field conditions permitted.
Opinions varied on the success of the fall application season in the region. Some sources reported very heavy volumes in their trade areas, easily surpassing last year’s reduced business caused by rain delays and a narrow weather window. Those sources were in the minority, however, with most describing fall activity this year as only average or below average in their territories.
Western Cornbelt: Winter Storm Delphi brought snow and freezing rain to parts of the Western Cornbelt last week. Snowfall from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 measured up to 12 inches in Valentine, Neb., and Mosher, S.D., while levels in Hull, Iowa, and Madison, Wisc., reached 9 inches or more by the time the storm subsided.
Delphi also brought freezing rain to parts of Iowa, with a quarter-inch of ice reported early in the week in Carroll and Fort Dodge, Iowa.
California: Strong storms were expected to bring 3-5 inches of rain to some parts of Northern California as the week progressed, with significant snowfall likely in the Sierra. Before the moisture, powerful winds were reported along coastal and inland areas of Northern California.
Officials reported on Dec. 1 that California’s snowpack is double what it was last year at this time, but still remains below normal at just 56 percent of the historical average for water content. “It’s good to see the snow, and hopefully we’ll get more,” said one contact. “There is lots of recharge needed.”
A cold snap in late November brought freezing temperatures to the San Joaquin Valley, but sources reported minimal frost damage to the region’s citrus crops. Local reports said temperatures dropped to as low as 27 degrees in some locations, but didn’t stay cold long enough to do significant damage.
Pacific Northwest: Powerful winds were reported along coastal areas of Oregon and Washington as the week progressed, with reports of 65 mph gusts causing power outages in many areas on Dec. 3.
Rains were expected to follow the wind, with the heaviest precipitation expected on Dec. 5 in western Washington and the coast of Oregon. Snow was likely at higher elevations.
Western Canada: Unseasonably mild temperatures were reported across Manitoba and southern Saskatchewan during the first days of December, with at least 18 high temperatures records set in southern Manitoba on Dec. 3.
By contrast, southern British Columbia experienced heavy rain, damaging winds, and mountain snowfall as the week progressed. Local news reports said some flooding was evident along coast areas of the pr