World Perspectives
feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Overmechanized U.S. Agriculture

Many farmers from other parts of the world have spent time visiting U.S. farms over the years. Rarely does this happen without these visitors staring in awe at the level of mechanization of American agriculture. This has been the case for many years, but the record net farm income (by a very wide margin) of the last five-six years has caused this overmechanization to reach disproportionate levels even in our terms.Consider this: U.S. farmers have the mechanical capacity to plant 40-50 percent of a 97 million acre corn crop in one week if conditions are good -- as happened this year. Farmers were also planting spring wheat, soybeans, etc. in addition to corn. A rule of thumb (sort of) about corn planters is that you need one row for...

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

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feed-grains soy-oilseeds wheat

Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.24/bushel, up $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.225/bushel, down $0.0175 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.255/bushel, down $0.12 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $284/short ton, down $0.7 fro...

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