Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Economy”
US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced late last week that the USDA will be issuing a second payment under the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program to eligible producers. The payment will be available to those producers who have approved applications for losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. Secretary Rollins said, “President Trump is the most pro-farmer President …
Federal Reserve Board opens its two-day April meeting this week with very little chance of any action on interest rates. Fed Chairman Powell’s term ends next month, and since there is no Fed meeting in May, this will be his last. President Trump has nominated Kevin Walsh to succeed Powell. His confirmation hearings continue. And in comments before Senators last week, Walsh indicated that he’d like …
A longtime axiom in the grain trade is follow oats. Oats knows. Well, if that’s true, there are struggles ahead for all grain producers. USDA’s March acreage report showed oat acres to be the third lowest on record, just 2.4 million acres. It would seem to follow them, fewer acres, reduced supply, that prices would be improving. July oat futures have been range …
Next week’s April Fed meeting shows nearly a 0% chance there’ll be any change in interest rates. The Fed meets next Tuesday and Wednesday, and so a week from today we’ll announce any rate decision. CME’s FedWatch tool right now showing 99.5% chance no change. That’s the highest percentage we have ever seen and yet is understandable with current world events. Looking ahead, there’s …
The Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg recently led a group of farmers to Vietnam on an agricultural trade mission and we spoke with Under Secretary Lindberg to get his insights on those discussions. Under Secretary Lindberg said, “The Vietnam one to me was a great story of opportunity. So the U.S.-Vietnam economic relationship is one that’s …
The drought in the southeast and especially South Georgia continues. Rain maybe next weekend, but that’s what farmers are hoping. At the Georgia Peanut Commission this week, a lot of discussion about what is happening in the various areas. One farmer said, lots of corn in my area, we’re having to irrigate it continuously because it’s so dry. With the rising cost of …
During testimony on Capitol Hill last week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a reduction in the agricultural trade deficit and we caught up with Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg to learn more. Under Secretary Lindberg said, “So I have been, since the time I was nominated for this role, highly focused on moving …
Trade negotiations have been a main focus of the Trump administration and we caught up with Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg to learn how the trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom will impact beef producers. Under Secretary Lindberg said, “Yeah, so one of the very first, if not, I think it …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released their latest Beef Production and Price forecasts. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski explains,” Our beef production forecast for this year, we lowered by 20 million pounds. This reflects just the fact that we’re anticipating a little bit lower steer and heifer slaughter, partially offset by higher weights and more cow slaughter. But overall …
We’re keeping an eye on live cattle and feeder cattle futures and cash markets here late week. Cattle and feeder cattle futures have set new contract highs this week, both June live cattle and May feeder cattle. Packers still buying cattle. Saturday, last week, feedlots held firm, looking for steady to higher money. Looks like more of the same this week. And the cookout …
