Iran

War in Iran Impacting Farm Inputs and Outputs

It’s getting difficult in the farming area now. The war in Iran is creating some big issues on freight rates and fuel surcharges, not counting the increases in energy and fueling a spike in fertilizer prices and also cotton because of the rise and they said the price is a polyester. The cotton market is booming again. Inflation risks are elevated which could possibly …

Strait of Hormuz

Blockade Of The Strait of Hormuz Impacts

On the surface, President Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz deprives Iran of badly needed oil reserves, millions of dollars in insurance premiums they were collecting to assure safe passage of vessels. But depending on how long the blockade actually lasts, it increases the chance of the Beijing summit already postponed once likely being postponed again. China imports more than 1.5 million barrels …

fertilizer

Mosaic Announces Idling of Mining Activities in Brazil

The Mosaic Company has announced that they will begin the process of idling the Araxa Mining and Chemical Complex as well as idling mining activities at the Patrocinio Complex in Brazil. According to the company, the idling of these facilities is expected to reduce annual phosphate production at Mosaic Fertilizantes by approximately 1 million tons. Bruce Bodine, President and Chief …

Strait of Hormuz

Strait of Hormuz Reopening Considerations

Maritime officials say the buildup of ships on either side of the Strait of Hormuz will take months to restore normal traffic when it does open. Reuters reporting there are over 3,000 vessels now in the Gulf area, including over 800 oil tankers. The narrow passage when the Strait does open when it meets the Gulf of Oman like a three-lane highway merging into …

crop

Second Weekly Crop Report Released

The second weekly crop progress report of the season yesterday afternoon. Of course, attention on planting progress for the various crops, but also a lot of attention on the improvement or lack of it for winter wheat. Some of the lowest conditions ever for early in April. Major states like Nebraska, Kansas, and that excellent category still below 10 percent. Even the good percentage …

December Corn Futures

December Corn Futures Could Indicate Highs

We share interesting data looking at December corn futures. December corn has never set an annual high for the year during the month of March. The high last month, $4.98 and a half. So, history shows producers should expect an annual high over $5, likely within the next 60 to 65 days. Since history also shows December corn seldom sets a new high …

peanut

Planting Concerns For Growers

It’s about planting time across the southeast, but a major problem for farmers, a three-month drought, has really got the farmers waiting to decide when to plant, how much to plant, and markets are changing. The war in Iran is creating some big issues, not only on the price of fertilizer, but on freight rates and fuel surcharges, and counting increases in energy costs …

fertilizer

Five-Year Fertilizer Duty Review is Underway

A five-year review of countervailing duties on phosphate imports from Morocco and Russia is underway. Agri-Pulse reported that fertilizer producers Mosaic and Simplot say they’re in favor of keeping the duties in place. The tariffs range from 16.6 percent to over 47 percent, and have been in place since 2021 when Mosaic filed a countervailing duty case. The Commerce Department’s …

peanut market

Looking in on the Peanut Market

Talking about the peanut market, as farmers try to decide what to plant this year, cotton is improving and that could influence the amount of acreage on peanuts. They say it’s going to be down 14% on the first estimate. The market is extremely quiet in all parts of the world, especially in the southeast of the U.S. and parts of Virginia and …

Cattle on Feed Report

USDA Provides Insights in Latest Cattle on Feed Report

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 …