Hard times continue in the cotton market. It dropped from 93 cents to 78 cents a pound and they are saying now that the Texas crop is now rated 49% poor or very poor, Oklahoma 55% poor. Elsewhere there’s only just a few exceptions. The crop is at least 50% good to excellent. Beltwide the crop is 36% good to …
Cotton Market Updates
Let’s look at the cotton for this week. It looks like the cotton market which jumped up to 93 cents a pound has stopped. It’s lost 10 cents a pound in the last week. The 2026 crop for cotton was cut 410,000 bales from the August estimate according to USDA. Both acres as harvested and yield were reduced. The U.S. …
American Peanut Council Shares Peanut Market Updates
Well, how are the peanut markets doing? According to the American Peanut Council, the latest data shows that the U.S. is holding steady despite some headwinds. They said total exports for July 26 were 12,944 metric tons. This is up from last year’s 10,703 metric tons during the month of July. Also, the year before that, 24 was 10,545. So, …
From Plymouth to Plantation Agriculture: The Early Crops and Trade That Shaped American Agriculture
The First Crops of Plymouth Colony When the first settlers established Plymouth Colony, agriculture was essential to their survival. Many of the crops they initially planted had been brought with them from England, including barley and peas. These familiar crops provided an important starting point as the settlers adapted to the growing conditions and agricultural realities of their new home. …
Peanut Crop Estimate Changed
The 26 peanut crop estimates has been changed and lowered a little bit, but as of August the 30th, the 63% of the peanut acreage was rated good to excellent condition, one percentage point behind the previous week and eight percentage behind that same time last year. The crop reports that the crop is 6% excellent, 55% good, 29% fair, …
Updates on Peanut Crop Numbers
USDA in Washington has lowered the estimate on the peanut crop. Crop production report from Federal State Inspection Service and USDA has cut the 2026 U.S. peanut crop from 5.27 billion pounds, cut it 152,000 pounds since August because of lower yield and lower planted acres. The smaller crop points to lesser forward balance moving into next year. Overall, planted …
A Look at the Recent Grain Trade
The grain trade looks to have found some support levels that look to hold longer term. Looking at the grain trade today, December corn holding the 5.15 level or better into next week. November soybeans 12.75 or better. And looking at the wheat trade in Chicago, December 7.18 or better. Elsewhere, that VIX or fear index on Wall Street, back …
Joseph Dart and the Birth of the Grain Elevator
How Buffalo Helped Transform the Grain Trade The movement of grain from farms to markets has always depended on transportation and efficient handling systems. In the early 1840s, a major innovation emerged in Buffalo, New York, that would dramatically change the way grain was moved, stored and loaded onto ships. The story of the modern grain elevator can be traced …
U.S. Supply and Demand Estimates for Corn
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released its September supply and demand estimates, providing an updated look at the nation’s corn outlook. In this report, World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair, Mark Jekanowski discusses the latest changes in the domestic corn balance sheet. “Looking ahead to the new marketing year, reduction in yield by about 2.2 bushels per acre, and it …
Reasons You Should Consider Cover Crops
Cover crops can do more than protect soil between growing seasons. USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce explains some of the ways farmers are putting cover crops to work on their operations. “A cover crop is a crop that’s planted after the cash crop is harvested. They’re species of plants that introduce plant biodiversity into the soil, …










