The trade war between the U.S. and China is likely to shift U.S. soybean plantings to corn. For the first time in three decades, U.S. farmers planted more soybeans than corn in 2018. However, that’s likely to reverse again due to tariffs on U.S. soybeans from the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China. Dow Jones Business and Financial …
Hurricane Causes Heavy Losses for Panhandle Farmers
Hurricane Michael will cost Florida farmers an estimated $158 million because of damaged crops, including major damage sustained by cotton farmers, according to a University of Florida study released Friday. Economists with the university’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences projected that nearly 1 million acres of crops such as cotton, nuts and vegetables, along with beef, dairy and other …
Drought Monitor: Wet Harvest Continues Next Week
The U.S. Drought Monitor weekly update shows more wet weather ahead for the Midwest. Much of the Corn Belt received adequate or above needed moisture this growing season. However, pockets in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma were extremely dry. Recent rains have turned the tables, and much of the Midwest is experiencing wet harvest conditions. The Drought Monitor notes that a …
Grain Industry Seeks to Modernize Global Ag Commodity Trade
The world’s largest grain processors are jointly seeking to standardize and digitize global agriculture shipping transactions. Archer Daniels Midland, Bunge, Cargill and Louis Dreyfus announced the collaboration this week in an effort to benefit the entire industry and seek broad-based industry participation to promote global access and adoption. Initially, the companies are focused on technologies to automate grain and oilseed …
Updated Damage Assessments from Hurricane Michael Released
New and updated damage assessments continue to show unprecedented losses for Georgia’s number one industry. “These estimations are a clear indicator of the unfortunate devastation many of our farmers and farm families have had to endure,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black. “These staggering numbers are tough to read, but Georgia farmers have shown great resilience through this unsettling …
UF Student Helps Design Corn Maze at Local Farm
Farmers and ranchers across Florida are fighting lack of consumer education on food systems by opening their properties to the public in a practice called agritourism. Agritourism allows non-farming folks to learn about the day-to-day operations of a working farm and see first-hand where their food comes from. One such farm is the Single R Ranch in Plant City, Florida. …
WASDE Anticipates Lower Harvests for Corn and Soybeans
The October World Ag Supply and Demand (WASDE) report predicts corn and soybean yields will both be lower than previously expected. Corn production is forecast at 14.78 billion bushels, down 49 million bushels due to a reduced yield forecast. Corn supplies going into harvest are forecast to be a record-high number, exports were raised by 75 million bushels, and USDA …
NCGA Welcomes Year-Round E15
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Lynn Chrisp praised an announcement from President Trump, setting the necessary regulatory steps in motion to allow for year-round sales of E15. “Corn farmers across the country have been advocating for year-round sales of higher ethanol blends like E15 to help grow demand, provide consumers with more options at the pump and improve economic …
South Asia Presents New Markets for U.S. Corn Co-Products
Shifting trade patterns and growing feed markets are creating new export opportunities for U.S. corn co-products in the South Asian markets. Representatives from the U.S. Grains Council explored the markets of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka last month. Both countries are currently importing small quantities of U.S. dried distiller’s grains with solubles. A USGC representative said: “There is appetite in both …
September USDA Stocks Report Bearish
The USDA reported larger than expected inventories of corn, soybeans, and wheat in its September 1st Stocks Report, which analysts call bearish for the markets. The corn supplies came in at 2.14 billion bushels, which is 138 million more than the last estimate of old-crop carryout. USDA says feed usage was likely smaller than expected, reducing the number of bushels …