Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and their partners published a study that should boost efforts to develop new varieties of wheat that are better equipped to resist a fungal disease that threatens global wheat production each year. The report in Nature Genetics, by Guihua Bai and his colleagues identifies a key gene that could be used as an important genetic resource by wheat …
USDA Releases Shutdown-delayed Reports
The Department of Agriculture’s backlog of reports delayed from the government shutdown overall provided a neutral outlook. USDA reported 2018 corn production at 14.4 billion bushels with a national average yield of 176 bushels per acre. Meanwhile, USDA says farmers harvested a record 4.5 billion bushels of soybeans, up three percent from last year, with a national average yield of …
UF/IFAS-led Global Group Seeks Traits for Wheat with More Protein
When consumers buy wheat products, such as bread or pasta, they expect to get protein with their purchase. But in a warming world with high atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, the genes required to keep wheat production high are the same ones that keep grain protein down, a University of Florida scientist says. By breeding wheat with specific traits, scientists can …
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 …
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 …
U.S. Wheat Restructuring Efforts Close Moscow Office
As part of restructuring overseas offices, U.S. Wheat Associates will close its office in Moscow, Russia, at the end of this month. The organization says the reorganization reflects an effort to refocus resources toward markets with the best potential to grow U.S. wheat exports and returns for the farmers the organization represents. Based in part on the significant increase in …
USDA Forecasts Record High Corn Yield and Soybean Production for 2018
U.S. farmers are expected to produce a record-high soybean crop this year, according to the Crop Production report issued by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Up 4 percent from 2017, soybean production is forecast at record high 4.59 billion bushels, while corn growers are expected to decrease their production slightly from last year, forecast at 14.6 billion bushels. Down …
Tightening Wheat Supplies in Europe and Black Sea Ripple Through Global Commodity Markets
Combined wheat production in the European Union, Russia, and Ukraine is forecast down 12 percent from last year to the lowest level in 5 years. The EU wheat crop is down 9 percent from last year on hot, dry weather in the northern Member States, while production in Russia and Ukraine is down from recent bumper crops on a return …
USDA Increases Corn, Soybean Production Forecast
The Department of Agriculture Thursday upped its predictions for larger corn and soybean crops this year. The USDA World Agriculture Supply and Demand Report predicts corn production at 14.2 billion bushels and soybeans increasing to 4.3 billion bushels. The 2018/19 U.S. corn outlook includes larger supplies, greater feed and residual use, increased exports, and lower ending stocks. Increased 2017/18 exports …
Japan TPP Ratification Brings Concerns for U.S. Wheat
U.S. wheat farmers are concerned with the recent move by Japan to ratify the updated Trans-Pacific Partnership last week. U.S. Wheat Associates says implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership without the United States is “a time bomb” set to demolish more than 60 years of work to develop a “large and loyal market” for U.S. wheat in Japan. …