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 …

USDA February WASDE Report

The latest monthly World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report from the Department of Agriculture shows lower estimated soybean exports for the 2017-18 crop year. USDA lowered soybean exports by 60 million bushels to 2.1 billion bushels. The U.S. season-average soybean price range for 2017/18 is projected at $8.90 to $9.70 per bushel, unchanged from the previous report. USDA …

CME Group Mulling Changes to Corn and Soy Contracts

CME Group is mulling potential changes to corn and soybean markets to address concerns the contracts’ prices are not accurately reflecting the underlying U.S. cash grain markets. Reuters reports that CME Group says it is “only in listening mode,” and that no changes are permanent. CME Group has been talking with customers about potential adjustments, as the discussions signal a …

Ice Blockage In Major Waterways Slowing Grain Shipments

The brutally cold arctic air that’s covered the U.S. at different times this winter has caused an unusually high buildup of ice in some of the nation’s waterways. Portions of the Mississippi, Illinois, and Ohio Rivers that are open year-round have become smaller, or closed entirely, due to ice buildup. Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition says it’s impacting …

Foliar Field Enhancements for Soybeans

Dr. Jim Dunphy, Soybean Extension Specialist with North Carolina State University, spoke at last week’s NC Commodities Conference, sharing his findings on Foliar Field Enhancement research covering the last several years. He says what he DIDN’T find may have been more important than what he DID find. Findings Dunphy is looking forward to learning the importance of uniform emergence on …