The May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates from the Department of Agriculture projects smaller corn and soybean crops this year. The corn crop is projected at 14.0 billion bushels, down from last year with a lower forecast area and yield. The yield projection of 174.0 bushels per acre is based on a weather-adjusted trend assuming normal planting progress and …
NCGA 2018 Yield Contest Online Entry Now Open
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is inviting farmers to register early for the organization’s National Corn Yield Contest. As farmers are in the fields planting corn, an early registration offers entry fee savings. The Association says that until June 29, fees will be reduced to $75. Entry will remain open at the full rate of $110 through July 31. …
Rabobank: Corn Prices Could Exceed $4 a Bushel
A new report from Rabobank shows an increased chance of four-dollar corn this growing season. As 2018 corn planting is underway, the report shows key risks are developing that can drive price volatility and potentially sustain elevated grain prices through the 2018/19 season. The report explains that while demand is staying firm, the projected corn acres and current global corn …
WASDE Report Predicts Record Soybean Crop for Brazil
The latest World Agriculture Supply and Demand (WASDE) Report from the Department of Agriculture shows Brazil is reaching a record soybean planting. USDA predicted a record Brazilian soybean crop in the report Tuesday of 115 million metric tons, or 4.2 billion bushels. Domestically, U.S. soybean supply and use changes for 2017/18 include increased crush, lower seed and residual use, and …
Crops Hold Onto Harmful Mutations That Reduce Productivity
Limits on improving yield and other critical traits in maize likely are due to rare harmful mutations genetically linked to a beneficial gene combination that were selected for during domestication and breeding, according to a study published in the journal Nature. These so-called deleterious genetic mutations result from errors in the DNA that occur randomly every generation and accumulate from ancient mutations right …
Farmers Seek Syngenta Lawsuit Settlement Approval
U.S. farmers in a class action lawsuit are seeking approval of a settlement agreement with Syngenta. Court records show the class action lawsuit is seeking court approval for a record $1.51 billion settlement with Syngenta. The lawsuit includes farmers, grain handlers and ethanol plants nationwide that sold corn after September 15, 2013. Reuters reports that lawyers for the plaintiffs said …
Progeny Bringing the Best Possible Products to Your Farm
Progeny. That’s the name of innovative, high-performing seed products. And they do it all with one goal in mind: to bring the best possible products to your farm. And when it comes to corn seed, Progeny Agronomist John Rocconi says they recently received some great news about one of their hybrids. Progeny Bringing the Best Possible Products to Your Farm …
USDA Report Indicates Increased Corn Demand
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has increased corn demand in it’s latest forecast for the 2017-18 crop year. The monthly World Agriculture Supply and Demand report increased exports of corn by 175 million bushels to 2.2 billion bushels based on price competitiveness, and increased expected corn ethanol use by 50 million bushels to 5.5 billion bushels. The average price for …
New Study: RIN Price Cap for E15 RVP Waiver “Deal” Would Cut Ethanol Consumption and Trounce Corn Prices
Any action to artificially cap Renewable Identification Number (RIN) prices in exchange for an RVP waiver allowing year-round sale of E15 would be bad deal for rural America and the nation’s consumers, according to a new economic analysis released Tuesday. Such a tradeoff would result in reduced ethanol consumption, a drop in corn prices, and an effective cut of 5% …
USDA Releases 2018 Planting Estimates
While some planters are already working in Texas, the Corn Belt seems a long way away from planting because of snow and ice. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is already thinking about planting. During the Agricultural Outlook Forum in Arlington, Virginia, the USDA released its acreage estimates for 2018. The USDA says corn and soybean acres will be …