Corn prices climb
By Larry Meyer - Argus Observer
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 10:03 AM PDT
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| Spencer Farm disks around the edges of one of the corn fields on the family farm between Nyssa and Ontario, preparing the field for the corn chopper, which began operation later in the afternoon. Corn prices have encouraged a lot of planting of the crop in the valley. |
ONTARIO - While there are no official figures available yet regarding the total number of acres of corn grown in Malheur County, there is a general consensus more of that particular crop is in the ground this year than in the past, mainly because of high prices locally and across America.
It is the national price that is driving the local price, mostly because of the increase in the interest in ethanol, Lynn Jensen, Malheur County Oregon State University Extension agent said.
“It’s substantially about the price, Jensen said. “Ethanol is a big factor.”
Most of the corn grown in the valley goes to area feedlots, Jensen said.
“This valley is an importer of corn,” he said.
In the past, area feedlots purchased corn from other areas, Jensen said.
He said he does not know if the current valley crop will be enough to meet the need locally. The numbers tell the story of why corn is imported into Malheur County. Ron Jones, water quality specialist with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, said there are at least 45 permitted feedlots in Malheur County, with approved plans to control runoff, take care of waste and meet other requirements. And, there are more that will get permits.
“We have lots that are not permitted,” Jones said. Some feedlots may not need to get permits if they have less than 300 head of cattle, he added, and there was an attempt in the Legislature to exempt fees.
“We (Malheur County) have the largest amount of permitted feedlots in Oregon,” Jones said, “the most number of animals in any facilities in Oregon.”
Commenting on the feed situation, Jones said, “I wonder if there is enough hay?” Prices of corn had been steadily going down, where hay may be substituted for corn, he said.
“It’s kind of a stand-off.” Jones said. The cost of feed will be a big issue as cattle have been put into feedlots before the end of summer.
“Most of the feedlots I work with are at near capacity,” Jones said. “They have loaded up.” Fire and the drought conditions and the lack of feed on the range were cited as reasons for putting the cattle in the feedlots early.
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