The USDA Has released the latest Cattle on Feed Report and USDA Livestock Analyst Michael McConnell provides insights into beef supplies as we get closer to grilling season. McConnell said, “Overall our feedlot inventories remain about on par with where they were a year ago. Placements were actually up year over year during February, which that’s the first time that’s happened since …
Hog Inventories Up According to USDA’s March Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report
The USDA has released the March Quarterly Hogs and Pig Report and USDA Livestock Analyst Michael McConnell shares the details from the report. McConnell said, “As of March 1st, an estimated 74.3 million hogs were in the United States. That was fractionally higher than March 1st a year ago. 5.89 million hogs were in the breeding herd, which is 1% lower …
Grain Trade Review After Recent Reporting
The grain trade has had two days now to react to the acreage and stocks numbers from Tuesday. We expect a mostly quiet end to the trade today ahead of the Easter weekend. Looking at this grain trade, first weekly crop progress report of the season is next Monday afternoon, and with April showers, early fieldwork delayed, but rain is going to …
EPA Making Changes to Diesel Exhaust Fluid Systems
Last week during the White House Great American Agriculture Celebration, President Trump announced that the administration would be making changes to the Diesel Exhaust Fluid system through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. According to the Agency, these changes include removing the DEF sensor requirement for all diesel equipment and according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, this change will save …
Ag Groups Send Letter On Farm Economy To President Trump
A letter by 40 different groups, 44 to agricultural groups, have written President Trump asking for help as more problems are happening on the farm. The recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on fertilizer costs and fuel prices have worsened the financial straits for farmers right during the middle of planting time poses significant consequences for the food supply chain …
Review of Agricultural Commodities in First Quarter of 2026
We track 48 commodities on a daily basis at the Bottom Line Report. Grains, livestock, energies, financials, and more. Now with three months in the books as we begin the second quarter, our list showing that energy is clearly leading the way. Heating oil, crude oil, gasoline, and natural gas. One, two, three, and four on that list of 48. But right behind and …
Trump Holds Farmers and Ranchers Event at the White House
Late last week, President Trump hosted farmers and ranchers at the White House to celebrate National Agriculture Day and Week. Joined by US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, President Trump Highlighted some of the efforts that the administration has undertaken, as well as plans for other items impacting agriculture. President Trump …
Challenges To The Farm Economy
Severe weather, high expenses, and global uncertainty are hitting farmers on all sides, squeezing them to the break-even point. Forty-four agricultural groups this week got laid out challenges facing rural America in the letter to President Trump. The March 19th letter recognizes progress has been made enhancing the farm risk management tools and securing much-needed tax relief for farmers, but additional resources are …
Review of Markets and Trading At The End of Quarter One
Wall Street trying to break a long losing streak, only three more days to trade this week before the Easter holiday. Tomorrow, with the first quarter in the books, we review our list of 48 commodities and how they have fared since New Year’s. But meanwhile, Wall Street has seen lower weekly closes four weeks in a row now. In fact, the S&P 500 …
United Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the Future
On a recent episode of the Grazing the Facts podcast, we learned why Ray Hodge with the United Dairy Farmers of Florida is encouraged about the future of the Florida dairy industry. Hodge said, “I think in Florida, we are unique in many ways. You know, as I said earlier, I’m a seventh generation Floridian. We’ve seen a lot of change. The …










