cftc

CFTC 7 Day Trading Pushback

Dan Commodities

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) continues to get a lot of pushbacks on a proposal to expand agricultural futures trade to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. CFTC maintains that a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week trade would make the market more vibrant and reflect the changing dynamics in world trade. They add, though, it is open to a 24-6 …

disaster

Disaster Relief Statement Issued by USDA Director of Communications

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a statement this week regarding disaster aid for farmers. With the process of distributing federal disaster aid to some states still ongoing, USDA Director of Communications Seth W. Christensen criticized Congressional Democrats in his statement for, “politicizing disaster aid for farmers in need across the country.” Christensen’s statement said, “Congressional Democrats are playing …

farmer sentiment

NAFB Farmer Sentiment Reaches Four-Year High in May

Dan Economy, Farm Bill, Legislative, Regulation, Tariff

In a story from the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB), farmer sentiment in May climbed to its highest level since May of 2021. The Purdue University CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index reached 158, 10 points above April. Behind the sentiment improvement, farmers’ views were much more optimistic about U.S. agricultural export prospects combined with a less negative view …

fair

Fair and Free Trade for Beef A Component of Trade Negotiations

Dan Agri-Business, Beef, Cattle, Economy, Export/Import, Exports/Imports, Marketing, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Tariff

As tariff discussions and trade negotiations continue, the need for fair and free trade amongst nations is a key factor for the cattle industry according to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. We spoke with Kent Bacus, Executive Director of Government Affairs with NCBA who highlighted the non-tariff items that could impact the cattle industry. To learn more, visit southeastagnet.com. Dale …

farmland values

American Agriculture History Minute: Farmland Values and Location

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, Economy, This Land of Ours

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute discusses farmland values having always been part of American agriculture history. Recent stories indicate that farmland values in some areas of the country are leveling off or even declining. But, in real estate, it’s all about location, location, location. Such was the case for this farm in October 2024. 90 acres, 20 …

commodities

Commodity Review in May Trading

Dale Sandlin Commodities, Economy

Mark Oppold reviews the status commodity trading in May and Dale Sandlin shares the latest in the EU Tariff negotiations. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

Federal Reserve

Federal Reserve Board Meets This Week

Dan Economy

The Federal Reserve Board meets this week. Mark Oppold looks at what the expectations are for their decision on interest rates. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

off-farm

Off-Farm Income Keeping Some Operations Afloat

Dan American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Economy

For most U.S. farm households, income from off-farm jobs like teaching, driving a bus, or managing a bank branch helps keep an operation running.  In 2023, an American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Market Intel Report says 23 percent of farm household income for farm families comes from farming itself, which means 77 percent of the income comes from other sources. In 2023, …