AG-ECO NEWS

Vol. 23, Issue 22, August 14, 2007

Jose G. Peña
Extension Economist-Management

Future price bids for cotton moved to the mid-60’s, after the June ‘07 planted acreage report indicated that 28 percent less acres would be planted to cotton this year, as compared to last year. The market improvement was a welcome relief. Future price bids for cotton on the New York Board of Trade (NYBOT) had been hovering in the mid-50’s for many months. Future price bids weakened recently to the low 60’s as the estimate of world production increased, the U.S. export estimate was decreased by 30,000 bales from last month’s estimate and prospects for a larger U.S. crop, than the August 10, 2007 estimate, appear probable, even with 28 percent less acres planted in the U.S.

If this corn/cotton market relation continues, grains will probably pull more acres away from cotton next year. Exports now comprise about 96 percent of the production estimate.

Corn

USDA’s August 10, 2007, first survey based, production estimate for the ‘07/’08 crop, estimates new crop production at 13.05 billion bushels, up 214 million bushels from last month’s trend yield estimate, up 23.9 percent from 10.535 billion bushels produced last year and 17 percent above 2005. (See Table 1). Based on growing conditions of August 1, 2007, USDA raised the average yield estimate by 3.7 bu/ac from last year’s average and up 2.5 bu/ac from last month’s trend yield estimate of 150.3 bu/ac. If realized, this will be the second highest yield on record, behind the 160.4 bushel yield in 2004 and the largest crop on record as growers intend to harvest the most corn acres for grain since 1933.

The corn crop is making excellent progress with the 66 percent of the crop past the dough stage compared to a five year average of 53 percent, but weather remains an important factor. USDA’s August 13, 2007 corn crop condition report rated 56 percent of the crop as good-to-excellent, compared to 57 percent at this same time last year.

The estimate of domestic use was raised 50 million bushels from last month and the estimate of exports was raised by 150 million bushels. Production will exceed use by 364 million bushels. The estimate of ending stocks at 1.516 billion bushels is up about one percent from beginning stocks of 1.137 billion bushels, but remain at a very manageable 11.9 percent stocks-to-use ratio. The season-average price received by farmers is projected at $2.80 to $3.40 per bushel, unchanged from last month’s estimate.

Globally, coarse grain production for ‘07/’08 was reduced by 5.8 million metric tons from last month’s estimate, but remains at close to a record 1.06 billion metric tons.

Cotton

Meanwhile, the cotton market weakened slightly after the recent improvement. USDA’s August 10, 2007, first survey based production estimate, indicated lower production, lower disappearance and slightly lower ending stocks. The production estimate at 17.35 million bales was just slightly lower than last month’s projection of 17.5 million bales. Beginning stocks were reduced 100,000 bales to 9.7 million bales. Domestic mill use was increased 200,000 bales to 4.6 million, reflecting higher than anticipated mill use in recent months. Exports, however, were reduced by 30,000 bales to 16.7 million bales, due to larger foreign supplies and slightly lower import demand by China. Ending stocks at 5.8 million bales are down 100,000 bales from last month but down 40.2 percent from beginning stocks of 9.7 million bales. (See Table 1).

Globally, ‘07/’08 forecasts include higher production and consumption, lower world trade, and larger ending stocks relative to last month. World beginning stocks were raised about one percent due mainly to prior-year adjustments for Brazil, India, Egypt, and Pakistan. Production was raised in India, Brazil, and Turkmenistan, but lowered in Greece, Turkey, the African Franc Zone, and the United States. World trade was lowered as China’s imports were reduced based on recent activity. World stocks are now forecast at 51.5 million bales, 1.5 percent above last month, generally keeping a lid on further market improvement.