Russia's annual report covering food safety has noted that measures taken by the government to stabilize the situation in agriculture will result in genera...

Whatever was discussed between Japanese Prime Minister Abe and U.S. President Obama a few days ago becomes more curious by the day. Diversity Marketing Pla...

Based on anecdotal evidence, it seems likely that next Monday's USDA report should show corn planting progress reaching close to 60 percent, or even more,...

The U.S. cottonseed shortage has been exacerbated by the nation's dairy and cattle feeding sectors' continued strong demand for its usage in direct feeding...

The U.S. wheat futures markets are facing a dilemma. Should they price the relatively bullish wheat supply/demand balance, or the relatively bearish world...

Energy is one of the most interesting aspects of the U.S. balance of payments account. Higher energy production in the U.S. is transforming the nation's tr...

Opportunity: Complementarity The TTIP negotiations are an opportunity, despite the skepticism. The challenge is overcoming all of the pitfalls and finding...

African trade ministers have apparently decided to act like Cape buffalo with a decision last week that reverses their commitment at the WTO ministerial in...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

Unlike last year, soybean bulls are getting no help whatsoever from the cash market. Soybean crushers are relaxed, and export demand has fallen to a trickl...

Wheat farmers in Kenya are very concerned because of an outbreak of wheat stem rust. No control for this type of wheat rust exists as it was first seen in...

Stats Canada released its quarterly stocks estimates this morning, and today's numbers again highlighted the magnitude of Canada's 2013 crop production. S...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

Current economic dynamics in Brazil and Argentina are creating some opportunities for the agricultural sectors in both Uruguay and Paraguay. Brazil The Bra...

It was the record-high temperatures and strong winds across the Southern Plains over the weekend that rallied wheat markets. Some weather forecasters were...

China's milk powder imports reached a record-high 109,000 MT in March as AQSIQ recently announced that imported milk products without labels in Chinese are...

There are only about 40 scheduled days of legislative session left for the remaining 2014 legislative calendar. That leaves the Congressional schedule very...

France is insisting that if the EU does not invoke a ban on imports of hogs and pork as a result of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv), it will uni...

Wheat had a great deal of bullish news today, which started with the Kansas crop tour results. General Comments Markets were slightly higher in quiet overn...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

Members of Congress have demanded that Japan agree to zero tariffs on agricultural products, but they apparently will not be getting their wish. Tokenism E...

Consumer spending was unusually strong as it surged 0.9 percent in March, the largest gain since 2005 with the exception of one month in 2009. The release...

The smallest HRW production number going all the way back more than 45 years was 620 million bushels in 2002, although It's not likely we can see a disaste...

The EU temporary ban on imports of select Indian fruit and vegetables could have wide implications for a variety of other produce subject to the same quara...

Recognizing the intellectual superiority of small, local and organic over conventionally-produced foods, a new initiative will seek to mimic the approach i...

European Commission President José Durâo Barroso is in Washington, and his message is that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreem...

It occurs to us that if nothing else, the flipping of the calendar page to May will force a re-examination of the perceptions that directed the market's pr...

Trade was a major topic covered by most of the witnesses testifying at yesterday's hearing held by the Livestock, Rural Development and Credit subcommittee...

Given what was happening with soybeans and corn, today's price break by CME wheat seemed about in line, and KC HRW's losses actually appear rather modest...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

The government of China recently issued its first official Agricultural Outlook Report, covering the period 2014-2023. Among other projections in the repor...

Wheat futures prices, led by KC HRW, responded to pessimistic reports from the Plains HRW crop tour and little sign of drought relief in the offing. Genera...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

U.S. House Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee Chair David Nunes (R-California) warned today that if President Obama fails to compel Congressional passage...

Prices for the 2014 Russian grain harvest are expected to be influenced equally by both political and climate-related factors. Due to the pending holidays,...

Argentina remains largely out of the global soybean market as exporters are not offering beans with regular quality (basis 34 percent, minimum 34.5 percent...

Two organizations in India have concluded that the country should focus on increasing the use of soybeans to alleviate protein malnutrition, rather than ex...

The Kansas crop tour got underway this morning, and the first report from the tour popped KC wheat futures to double-digit gains. General Comments Markets...

Energy drinks were a $350 million market in 2000 and reached about $9 billion in 2013, a 2,471 percent growth. Red Bull is the category's market leader.Bac...

The plain fact is that we all missed the pent-up corn demand and end user stock building, inspired by the low harvest time prices that seemed very attracti...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

If one believes the organic industry, it produces more ethical food that is safer and more nutritious. Some in the organic community now want to incorporat...

Farmers in Zimbabwe continue to be unhappy with the government's set purchase price for local corn that is said to be about $30/MT lower than the cost of p...

According to some policymakers, the requirement that aid be sent on U.S.-flagged vessels might be the most important issue.The White House has long ma...

There is some concern that western Canadian farmers' planting plans are still in flux because the spring season has been so slow to arrive.Stats Canada rel...

While the long-term fundamentals suggest that the ongoing westernization of China's diet should lead to increased imports of soybeans, corn and pork, the c...

The general perception in the market is that the wheat is overpriced due to the high political risk premium now included since the start of the Ukrainian/R...

After a sharply higher early overnight trade, grain and soy futures gradually calmed down to finish the first trading session of the week in relatively pla...

Given that 70 percent of processed food in the U.S. may contain at least one ingredient from food biotechnology, there are at least three constitutional la...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

Markets were mixed in very light volume throughout most of the night session, but the tone gradually changed for several reasons. General Comments Markets...

There was another blow to the cellulosic mandate this week as well as a new study challenging the notion that advanced biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emiss...

The real story from Asia continues to be the expansion of the middle class and how that will continue to drive demand for everything from agricultural comm...

Given that free trade is about unleashing economic comparative advantage, there is much to worry about in Greek agriculture. Security Trumps Business, Agai...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

With the IMD predicting a 56 percent probability of a deficient or below-normal monsoon for India, the impact on the farm sector and the country's overall...

After some overnight weakness, prices at all three wheat futures markets rallied to post double-digit gains. The apparent worsening situation in Ukraine an...

Turning public opinion into a supportive force that can overcome special interests will require political leadership in Washington, Brussels, Tokyo and man...

When we or anyone says that a particular market price is too high or too low, it may sound like we are saying that the market is wrong even though the mark...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

This potential case could be similar to a 2012 incident in Parana where an animal developed the prion, or abnormal, pathogenic agents that induce folding o...

Today it was confirmed that three employees of Marubeni's Columbia Grain subsidiary were arrested in China. Although it is believed to be soy-related, the...

The EU wants the U.S. Congress to pass Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) as soon as possible, but the European resistance to fixing current trade barriers is...

Argentina is not as affected as Brazil by the Chinese soybean situation, but its beans have been found to have quality problems that could be a reason for...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

Russia exported 194,800 MT of sunflower oil in March 2014 (a 5 percent gain compared to February 2014 and 48 percent more than March 2013), the highest&nbs...

Signs indicate that demand for old crop corn remains brisk, and corn exports are holding to a level that appears to justify USDA's latest estimate of 1.75...

The industries eligible for this new federally-facilitated investment fund include bio-manufacturing, advanced energy production, local and regional food s...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

The soybean market was rife with rumors of Chinese defaults and a Chinese government crackdown on letters of credit, supposedly issued to pay for commodity...

Egypt's government has advised that current stocks and orders of wheat will last until 19 June 2014, while the country's wheat crop has a very wide range o...

The potential for unforeseen internal and external influences to move prices in either direction, short-term and/or long-term, remains at least as large as...

China's Ministry of Commerce today raised its forecast for the country's April soybean imports. However, the recent defaults on soybean imports and rumors...

Indeed, it is hundreds of U.S. domestic programs that fail the government's Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART), but continue to be funded.Experts gather...

While a complete TPP agreement is not expected, the weights of geopolitics, national security and economics have converged to pressure President Obama and...

Interestingly, as the import window into the U.S. appears to be closing, the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) is reporting that domestic et...

The Chinese government's stricter inspections of imported DDGS is currently affecting the domestic rapeseed meal price and also a factor in its growing dem...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

We note that every year at this time we have looked at projections for rapidly building soybean ending supplies in the U.S. that have yet to materialize, e...

There were reports of a frost/freeze across Argentina that might have done some damage to late-planted corn and soybeans, but this news didn't cause a ripp...

Today's early trade saw wheat prices firm, while corn and the complex traded mostly with red numbers. Volume was fairly active for a pre-long weekend sessi...

Because China is such a dominant soybean importer, the crushers there think they have the upper hand in forcing sellers to renegotiate prices to a lower le...

Not since the corn price run-up in 2008 have eggs been as expensive, and their prices are at a six-year high. Easter Inflation In keeping with seasonal dem...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

The signals regarding TPP just days before President Obama heads to Japan are mixed and confusing. Currency Conundrum Some powerful congressional Democrats...

Does the fundamental outlook for soybeans as seen right now in April 2014 deserve an old crop/new crop inverse so much wider than during April 2013?For som...

Soybean selling by Argentine farmers is projected to substantially increase going into June, potentially to a record level, as a result of the increased ha...

With the Ukrainian/Russian crisis always lurking and the U.S. HRW crop not in good shape, wheat futures prices are moving up and down nervously. General Co...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

Italy's proposed agricultural policy modifications include some 21st century concepts, while others appear to be more of the same, making it only partial r...

As of 11 April 2014 and from the beginning of MY 2013/14, Ukraine has exported 28.338 MMT of grain. According to Ukrainian Grain Association President Vlad...

The study was requested by Senators David Vitter (R-Louisiana) and James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) with the specific topic of how regulatory costs impact the com...

The strength of wheat and soybeans and fear that the Ukrainian situation is escalating probably kept the corn market from closing lower. General Comments T...

The U.S. 2013/14 soybean year will be unique in a number of ways. One of its most unusual elements will be record-large imports with a majority of the fina...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

Jordan will need to continue importing close to 100 percent of its needed wheat supply, according to USDA FAS in Amman. With the influx of Syrian refugees,...

The National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) today released a surprisingly large soybean crush report for March that was the main reason soybean futu...

Separating otherwise safe, concurrent uses of chemicals is as wrong a strategy as the Maginot Line. Organic matter is chemical matter at its base. Chemopho...

There have been several announcements from the Canadian grain trade recently about big new investments in grain handling infrastructure. There have been s...

Due to the Chinese government's corn procurement in major production provinces, it seems probable that China's domestic corn prices have hit bottom and wil...

Corn tried to tag along with wheat, but never got better than 8-9 higher and actually faded slightly at the close. General Comments Three weekend events pu...

With 27 MMT of exports, the EU wheat carryout stocks will be significantly tighter than last year. However, Western Europe's crop seems to be developing fa...

Its premise is that traceability is one of the greatest tools for impacting sustainability. If traceability is going to develop, it has to either be mandat...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

An American tourist can see the sights in a half-dozen European cities within a week or less, yet USDA will need 6-7 months to look at the meat inspection...

It will now take more than a record yield per acre to again start talking about 2014-15 corn ending supplies exceeding 1.5-1.6 billion bushels.We've gone f...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has suggested that it is too early to predict the monsoon pattern and El Niño's effect, but it has also issued w...

It has been a very volatile week with Wednesday's USDA WASDE sandwiched in the middle and providing a bullish burst to corn and soybeans. General Comments...

The budget cuts domestic programs by $791 billion in the years 2016-2024, while it increases defense spending by $483 billion. The House passed its versio...

Reports indicate Chinese soybean importers have defaulted on 10 or more cargoes of U.S. and Brazilian soybeans, fewer than in 2004 when buyers forfeited up...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

The market's tepid price action following yesterday's bullish (for soybeans and corn) WASDE was considered disappointing to market bulls, and long liquidat...

The House Ag Committee, which holds congressional oversight authority over the CFTC along with the Senate Ag Committee, decided to use the CFTC reauthoriza...

Retail beef prices have tested the consumer limit with 13 percent growth over the past year, while pork prices have been tempered by increased slaughter we...

TPA is dead, long live STA. When a concept is in trouble, public relations experts start rebranding. Evolving Acronyms TPA is dead, long live STA. When a c...

The main concern about Argentine soybeans this season relates to protein content. Current protein levels are below normal this harvest and that fact is mak...

The president of the Russian Grain Union said Russia's current financial problems may negatively impact the planting of grains. Ukraine has planted early s...

The changes USDA and WOAB analysts made to their 2013/14 U.S. and world supply/demand estimates tracked closely with private expectations in terms of direc...

When it comes to stoking global economic activity, the 800-pound gorilla rattling some markets is the potential slowdown in China's growth. Late as Usual R...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

It now appears the EU's 2014 rapeseed production will be up sharply from the last two years and approach the record 2009 crop. South American Soybeans Begi...

Britain's Soil Society, the organization pushing organic agriculture in the UK, is apoplectic over a study in the British Journal of Cancer. Selective Scie...

Egypt's Red Sea Ports Authority (RSPA) has announced that it will be developing a new wheat import facility in Adabiya Port that is expected to handle abou...

News UpdatesMEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST COMMENTSFrance Export Cereals (FEC) has said that the country needs to exert more effort in developing Egypt's privat...

Today's higher grain and soy prices reflected the market's expectation that tomorrow's WASDE will be bullish. General Comments Although trading of a number...

Today's grain, oilseed, cattle and hog prices...

Tomorrow's report could have considerable importance in market terms since non-commercials are so heavily invested on the long side of corn and soybeans.US...

The need for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and other federal policies to support the industry and attract investment was a key theme of today's hearing...

There are only three crops that show a positive net return, and barley is really not an alternative today.The table below is from the Carrington, North Dak...

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), rail cars spent twice the time between loading and unloading in the Midwest than last year d...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Soybeans again had a 20-cent trading range with prices lower most of the session and the old crop/new crop spreads losing some ground. There was talk of th...

The corn plantings in Romania and Bulgaria have started under favorable weather conditions, and we estimate that the corn acreage will marginally decrease...

13 Chinese government agencies, led by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), recently issued guidelines aimed at establishing a unified agricultural market me...

Improving Japanese farm labor misses the larger shift that needs to occur if the nation's agriculture is to survive liberalization under TPP.U.S. trade neg...

Crimea River History suggests that geopolitical troubles have less impact on food production than fundamentals like the weather. Crimea: Present Situation,...

EPA's recently proposed "interpretive guidance" on Clean Water Act regulations made for some fun in the agriculture community this week. Clear as Mud Norma...

While the biodiesel tax credit has been extended retroactively in the past, it has had a unique impact.The Senate Finance Committee considered and passed i...

Wheat turned decidedly weaker early this morning and dragged corn lower as well, while soybeans again traded both sides of unchanged much of the session. G...

The issue with some of these very minor crops is that it doesn't take much of an increase or decrease in acreage to have a major impact on prices.We get so...

Prices of skimmed milk powder (SMP) have soared in India. There is a shortage as the government of India (GOI) did not regulate SMP exports and the deficit...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

The topic of high frequency trading (HFT) of equities and commodities has become all the rage and raises several questions that generate a wide difference...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

There is good news this week regarding the number of PEDv cases during the latter part of March, and there is seemingly some hog market reaction. PEDv Upda...

Total U.S. corn export commitments have now reached USDA's latest forecast for all of 2013/14, actually 2 million bushels above it with five months of the...

It is particularly interesting that the U.S. has not seen a drop-off in soymeal exports to the EU in 2013/14. U.S. Soymeal Export Sales and Shipments Very...

Former Lehman Brothers chief economist John Llewellyn notes that developing countries with sufficiently bad scores in terms of budget deficits, trade defic...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

A successful public forum by the WTO should be centered on why imports are actually good for everyone and emphasize that the focus cannot be solely on the...

Since USDA's reports on Monday, the futures price action has given farmers the opportunity to unload some of their ownership and given users the opportunit...

South American soybean prices have been hesitant to follow futures markets higher. The result is that Argentine basis continued to weaken last week. Corn T...

As of 31 March 2014, Ukraine has exported 27.351 MMT of grain from the beginning of the market year, and preliminary forecasts indicate the country's grain...

The wheat market has backed off after its long bull run and has begun to cast weaker technical signals. This has caused some liquidation selling and the un...

That the trade's analysis of stocks and acreage turned out to be so close to USDA's survey results is another way of saying that yesterday's reports were s...

Researchers at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) estimate that Argentina's biodiesel production would increase by 9.6 percent if the...

There is a problem with Egypt's domestic grain silos project, financed with funds from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), that was intended to build 25 storag...

With strong support for passing some extenders, the biodiesel tax credit and the cellulosic tax credit both have strong individual supporters who are likel...

India's soybean processors are struggling to supply the domestic poultry and aquaculture markets with soymeal as they cannot source enough supplies. USDA R...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

The market felt like wheat again became the short leg of the corn and soybean markets. If you don't trust a rally, you sell something else against it. Gene...

You can plug any yield you like into these acreage estimates today and come up with bullish and bearish outcomes.Today's USDA quarterly stocks and planting...

More crushers have suspended or slowed production in order to mitigate crushing losses. It is projected that soyoil prices will remain weak, but there is l...

Some Argentine producers have been through this process previously with sorghum that was imported and used to make ethanol in California.Argentina's biodie...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

A WTO agriculture committee meeting revealed why it will be difficult to get the Doha negotiations back on track. Naturally Wrong Recently installed Federa...

The EU has now allocated  22.7 MMT of wheat export licenses versus 15.1 MMT a year ago, and its wheat balance will be dangerously tight at the end of...

The state government of Maharashtra has assessed the weather-related crop damage there at $1.63 billion and the area affected at about 1.8 million hectares...

U.S.  soybean exports thus far in 2013/14 are now at 39.835 MMT and unshipped soybean export sales stand at 4.609 MMT for a total of 44.444 MT, ...

Ethanol groups continue to push for EPA to increase the Required Volume Obligations (RVO), arguing that the agency was overly dismissive of E15 and E85 use...

Corn was surprisingly firm today with wheat getting hammered and ahead of Monday's USDA reports that many analysts believe will be bearish. General Comment...

The sanctions battle between Moscow and Washington continues apace, and it seems only a matter of time before Russia starts arbitrary restrictions on impor...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

The most important number in the quarterly stocks numbers will be the 1 March corn stocks, and the contest this year with planting intentions will be how m...

Markets were quiet and somewhat weaker overnight, but this changed during the day session when corn and wheat turned and headed higher. General Comments O...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

It seems fair to say that the corn market is at risk if, like last year, next Monday's corn stocks are much greater than anticipated.We hope that students...

Smithfield, the largest pork processing plant in the U.S., announced that it has decided to run its Tar Heel, NC facility only four days a week and suggest...

The same divided opinion that has stalled Doha for 13 years remains: defining whether development results from trade or from protectionism. Sour Trade Poli...

Farmers are using the highest wheat prices they have seen in many months to price some of their anticipated production. General Comments The war of words b...

One country's strategic interest is another's free enterprise.One of the challenges for U.S. Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiators is achieving...

There seems to be considerable demand to buy combos of Argentine corn and meal together as Argentine meal can help offset the price of corn, and both produ...

Ukraine has exported 26.8 MMT of grains as of 24 March 2014 with a total grain export forecast of  33 MMT for MY 2013/14. Russian Grain Markets Planti...

A Wilson Center panel on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) today painted a mixed picture on the outlook for an agreement. TTIP Regu...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

It is rare that palm oil trades at a premium to soyoil, but a shortage is resulting in higher prices that are expected to lead to substantial increases in...

Last month's feeder calf placements data points to a changing supply situation for the beef market next quarter. Similarly, feedlots' fed cattle marketings...

U.S. trade negotiators should view the EU's demand for recognition of its system of protected designations of origin (PDO) and protected geographical...

It has been a day of light trading volume and somewhat more limited price movements with corn closing lower, soybeans closing higher and mixed closes for w...

As we all know, 2012 was a very difficult year for the derivatives world. The good news in 2013 is that the volume plunge was reversed.Detailed annual data...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Moody's is reviewing the ratings for 10 Turkish banks with the trade expecting that there could be a general downgrade for all involved, affecting their in...

The Agricultural Development Bank of China (ADBC) recently urged the government to accelerate the sales of reserve grains and cottons. Borrowing for the st...

The analysis piece entitled "March Madness" in the 21 March edition of Ag Perspectives contains two errors.The analysis piece entitled "March Madness" in t...

Soybeans, corn and wheat all rallied sharply on what looked like fund buying after Europe came to work today, which is when the fireworks started. General...

A variety of issues raised at a previous hearing with USDA Secretary Vilsack are expected to spill over into a more technical discussion with Under Secreta...

The European Commission's Trade and Investment Barriers Report 2014 takes issue with the U.S. approach of approving meat inspection equivalency on a countr...

Ukraine's export program from its ports currently appears to be undisturbed by the crisis. However, several Russian banks reportedly have stopped providing...

If the smart money is betting that corn ending supplies will increase from 1.5 billion bushels this year to more than 2 billion next year, shouldn't we be...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

The potential new trend now is land rights, or at least land acquisition. While not a primary issue for U.S agriculture yet, it is a new, complicating fact...

Wheat behaved like the soy complex today. Yesterday's big reversals off the highs brought some fund selling and other profit taking, keeping all three whea...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

March Madness is the term used to describe the NCAA national college basketball tournament because there are typically numerous upsets. It has now started...

Rising domestic feed prices and GOI's ban on soymeal imports are expected to have a strong negative impact on India's poultry industry. Declining Indian Oi...

Politicians in the West often do not understand market economics, so it is understandable that a former KGB spy uses fiat instead of making a business deal...

There have been reports that Chinese crushers are seeking to cancel or resell up to 30 cargoes of South American soybeans due to poor margins. Chinese Soy...

The overnight session did not prepare markets for the volatile price action that was the feature of today. General Comments President Obama announced more...

One national security analyst said that success in the Crimean situation is not allowing Russia-U.S. relations to spin out of control, and yet it spiraled...

Dairy producers are entering a new era with milk exports at about twice their traditional level and about 50 percent greater than recent highs. This trend...

U.S. soybean derivatives are essentially the only exchange-traded hedging vehicle available to the world soybean market. It works when circumstances allow...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

TPA approval will require the Democratic Party elites to stand up to organized labor and the protectionists, much the way Main Street Republicans have begu...

Russian Grain Markets: 10-14 March 2014Market TrendsPrices continued to increase, especially corn and wheat, due to the RUB depreciation and the Crimean po...

The Fed's latest take on the U.S. economy is still seeing positive growth, although the rate of growth has slowed somewhat due in part to the severe winter...

CBOT futures may presently be rallying, but there is no demand for Brazilian soybeans from Chinese buyers. Soybeans: Brazilian Prices No Longer Inverted Th...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Ukraine's export capacity is not expected to be negatively impacted by the potential loss of ports in Crimea as they represent only a small percentage of t...

Mega-retailer Walmart announced that it will require suppliers of agricultural crops to reduce fertilizer use on 20 million acres by 2020. Ag is Stumbling...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Argentine exporters are facing shipping delays because of a ship blockage on the Parana River and may soon also encounter a port workers' strike. Brazil Cr...

After sputtering about yesterday and again early in the overnight session, grain and soy futures markets bounced firmly higher today, but why is not exactl...

The rate of inflation for food increased 0.4 percent in February 2014, which was four times the core rate and the highest monthly increase since September...

While total available 2013/14 U.S. soybean supplies are about 225 million bushels greater than the 2012/13 total, all of the additional supplies are being...

Buyers in the Levant, particularly Jordan and Syria, who source all of their corn from Ukraine are very concerned about a possible force majeure situation,...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

The Black Sea market is firm as offers are difficult to find and also nervous about possible cancellations (force majeure). Milling Wheat The Black Sea mar...

Brussels has been increasingly providing administrative flexibility to EU member states, including the current effort to make the planting of biotech crops...

According to China Customs, soybean stocks in major Chinese seaports reached 5.57 MMT as of 10 March, an increase of 10,000 MT from the previous month. Oil...

Today's immediate trader response to the current Black Sea situation was that the short-term risk was now off, and some of Friday's long positions were liq...

Based on Russia's actions in 2013, there is seemingly enough reason for the U.S. to impose dispute resolution processes with that country in the WTO.The cu...

We don’t know what all of this new math’s real impact will be on the markets.The CBOT Group continues to mess around with the futures markets. We’re never...

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations are hung up on tariffs, but Europe's aspiration for geographical indicators is an ar...

Wheat continues to confound market analysts who are searching for a reason for its strong rally. General Comments Markets started the night session lower a...

The extreme prevailing weather conditions continue to damage crops, leading to a belief that climate change is here to stay and that the El Nino factor wil...

The letter makes the case for protecting farm bill spending from any further cuts under the FY 2015 budget.Under the federal budget process, each of the co...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Corn and soybean basis in the northern interior have plummeted to what might be all-time lows for several reasons.Demand for corn, wheat, soybeans, canola,...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

CME's research into the cattle trade discovered that while heifers are lighter, they are more uniform and higher yielding than steers and frequently have h...

If the factors we point to in hindsight are largely responsible for the recent upturn in grain and soy prices, what about foresight? What is likely to happ...

Conab reduced its estimate for Brazil's 2014 soybean crop, disappointing the government that had predicted the country would for the first time have a larg...

While FAPRI's Baseline Briefing Book predicts a spike in farm bill spending due to lower crop prices, its forecast could affect farm program signup. Farm B...

Concern over the Ukrainian situation is given as the reason for today's U.S. stock market plunge. Grain and soy markets chopped around on both sides of yes...

Total Argentine farmer selling of corn has now reached approximately 2.3 MMT, 10 percent of the expected crop. Although the harvest has been active this pa...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Today's grain and soy markets saw a tug of war develop between the strength of wheat and the weakness of soybeans with corn caught in the middle. General C...

The volume of grain dispatched from Ukraine's sea ports has not been negatively affected by the Crimean crisis. Meanwhile, Russia's agriculture ministry in...

The impact of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement means that TTIP and TPP will have to result in impressive trade policy improvements for the U.S...

The big rally in corn futures prices during the past two months does stand out and has analysts asking themselves if this marching bull corn market can be...

As a result of the Argentine government's price controls on biodiesel, producers have decreased production and there is not enough available to supply the...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Ukraine's recent corn price increases have made the supply to North Africa much less competitive.  It appears that importers of larger vessels will pr...

Although there does not appear to be any disruption in Black Sea grain shipments or in early spring planting in Ukraine so far, the situation remains a maj...

Biodiesel critics and advocates both noted that there was no proposal in the president's budget to extend the biodiesel blenders' credit. This has sparked...

One congressional assertion is that making agriculture a bigger tent will ensure that future farm bills go more smoothly. Farm Bill Cost No Issue The Congr...

The trade was looking for a slight increase in the corn export forecast and that's what it got, while there might have been some disappointment that the co...

The actual WASDE numbers were a bit more positive than the trade estimate average, but that didn't slow the across-the-board selling. General Comments Mark...

China has recently issued a series of policies to promote family farms that could also mean that the freedom to transfer and consolidate land will be estab...

Overall, USDA is seeking a reduction in discretionary outlays of $2.638 billion from what it is projected to receive in FY 2014 under the continuing resolu...

The Black Sea wheat market remains firm due to the region's political tension, and there are no offers in Ukraine. Milling Wheat The Black Sea wheat marke...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Corn futures started to falter when Canada's government made comments about forcing its railroads to move more grain and oilseeds. That helped push the oat...

Planting on New Policy Transfer payments, technocrat speak for taxpayer money given to beneficiaries, amount to around 5 percent of farm income and can onl...

The last 15-20 percent of Brazil's soybean harvest is being hurt by too much rain and will result in quality and yield loss. More importantly, the frequent...

A lower sugarcane output and the slow start to its processing because of price issues have been cited as the major reasons for the decline in India's sugar...

The shrinking U.S. demand for fuel obviously exacerbates the blend wall issue. However, the global demand for crude and petroleum fuel, up about 6.5 percen...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

The general view now is that India's 2013 soybean crop was no greater than 9 MMT, and the country is likely to face a severe soymeal shortage in the domest...

U.S. aggies would say it is technology that will limit progress by U.S. and EU Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiators next week...

A coalition of 11 livestock, poultry and dairy groups have called for committee hearings on the proposal by Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-Virginia) to re...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

While there could be some profit taking by traders with long positions going into the weekend, the prospect that USDA could further increase its U.S. corn...

It is as important to know when a trend is about to run its course as it is to know when one is about to take off.Investors and speculators are forever see...

Regulatory agencies have finally conceded, and USTR will now accept the concept of binding dispute settlement on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues in...

U.S. farmers continued to reward this week's price rally by selling significant quantities of corn, soybeans and wheat, and this has pressured cash basis b...

Europe may not be ready to impose trade retaliation on Russia, but some members of the U.S. Congress are suggesting the use of WTO dispute settlement cases...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Overall, the Argentine wheat market is still depressed because of government policies. The only effective way to reactivate exports is to open the full quo...

There have not been any interruptions in work at the grain terminals of Sevastopol in regards to sea exports, according to the Ukrainian Agrarian Confedera...

The staff at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) continues to watch their long ball knocked foul. Budget Outtakes Some observations on other pa...

The cuts proposed to the crop insurance program were not incorporated into the farm bill, which makes it unlikely that Congress will act on them any time s...

Financial markets heaved a big sigh of relief today when Russia pulled its troops away from the Ukrainian border, and stocks roared back to erase yesterday...

The current soybean market is a far cry from what most analysts expected, and we have once again been reminded that it is wise to be wary when there is a n...

If trade between Russia and Ukraine is disrupted by the current situation, the oilseed most impacted will be soybeans. Oil World Reduces South American Soy...

A biotech conference in Ethiopia with African and European scientists last week has come out strongly in support of using agricultural biotechnology as a m...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

China's newly issued regulations regarding feed and feed additive imports appear to be consistent with the government's decision to improve the nation's fo...

The situation in Ukraine is likely worse than many perceive at this time and with larger global impacts. Even North Korea realizes this is an opportunity f...

Just the fact that many uncertainties now exist between Russia and Ukraine will likely push more corn and wheat export business elsewhere where there isn't...

Some are suggesting that the market is betting on an EPA reversal by bidding up the Renewable Identification Number (RIN) prices that have increased from a...

The Black Sea problems brought short covering to the wheat markets and outright buying to corn and soybeans. There might also have been some support for wh...

The uncertainty regarding the wheat export program from Ukraine and Russia in the upcoming months is a serious incentive for traders and consumers to incre...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Soybeans, corn and wheat all closed on or near the day's highs. That is a bullish technical picture for the last day of the week and the month. General Com...

Ukraine has become an important contributor to global food supplies in recent years, which raises the question of what happens if the political situation d...

GOI has made its intention very clear by announcing that it is committed to the use of biotech and other new technologies for agricultural development and...

Federal spending is still front and center, and it is also an election year. The best bet for this year is that there will not be a congressional budget...

If prices are high, as they have been the past two years, this program has guaranteed great profits regardless of yields or prices going forward.February w...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

A study by Petr Havlik of the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis concludes that the lower nutritional value of grass means that livestock...

After several months of very profitable crush margins, the Chinese soybean crushing industry has seen margins collapse to very unprofitable levels in the l...

The extreme movement of soybean prices first boosted grain prices, but ultimately pulled grains to lower closes as well. However, the grains were not trade...

U.S. corn exports deviation from historic patterns has implications for what exports will be in the rest of the marketing year. Analysis of unshipped corn...

The dynamics between fed cattle marketings and placements are analyzed with their implications for next quarters' beef demand and pricing. Feedlot turnover...

Ukraine has exported 23.9 MMT of grains since the beginning of MY 2013/14. This is a 36.7 percent increase compared with the same period in MY 2012/13. Rus...

Concerns have been mounting that Argentina could completely lose market share in wheat this season and may need to reduce prices by at least $20-30/MT in o...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Soybeans closed higher again for the 13th time during February with the May contract hitting another high. Only corn remained locked in its usual narrow tr...

Somewhat late to a flawed game, the World Health Organization (WHO) is recommending taxes and regulatory restrictions to halt the course of obesity in mode...

Lower commodity prices in the U.S. will help export market sales, but the catalyst will be the way monetary policy unfolds.In the last two policy meetings...

According to a comment from Iran, Ukraine may not be able to complete their outstanding corn business because of its dwindling supplies and domestic unrest...

The continued sale for export of so many of last year's soybeans increasingly suggests the 2013 U.S. soybean crop was larger than USDA is estimating. Big S...

The CME March oats closed at an historic high of $5.03 today as U.S. oat supplies are being squeezed. Some of the big cereal makers reportedly have invento...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

If adding labor to industry groups is a good idea, why not just throw all of the disparate interests onto the same committee and enjoy a literal three-ring...

It is interesting to see that investors and investment money managers have not totally forgotten about commodities.Historically, most conservative investor...

It's difficult to assess the exact volume of Ukraine's remaining corn surplus as farmers logically prefer to keep grain instead of cash because of the coun...

There has been talk about the impact of this winter and even some special spring and summer forecasts that are highlighting how the current U.S. weather si...

There were several comments floating around about U.S. farmers planting more corn acres than a year ago because last year's profits were so big. That won't...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

The fight over the image of agriculture, livestock and the food industry has been ongoing for quite some time, but the battlefield is changing. Social medi...

China's government has issued guidelines calling for maintenance of the traditional diet as an increasing segment of the population is experiencing chronic...

Activists are clogging up U.S. EPA's public comment site on the proposed deregulation of biotech crops that are resistant to 2,4-D. Tail Wagging the Dog U...

Wheat futures have staged a significant rally since the February WASDE, which farmers have used to sell more wheat. The trouble across the northern Plains...

According to leaks from the administration, the president's spending blueprint will adhere to the Bipartisan Budget Act agreed to in December that set spen...

India is likely to produce 263.2 MMT of food grains in 2013/14. This is greater than the target of 259 MMT established by the agriculture ministry in Septe...

The condition of China's cotton stocks is unknown, but it appears there is some confidence that Beijing will not dump its excess on the world market. Own P...

One of the primary reasons we said the Outlook Conference numbers would be bearish is that USDA has a history of using a best case scenario from a yield st...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

A quick rundown on the particulars for meat and livestock in USDA's baseline projections shows per capita meat consumption rising entirely due to chicken.U...

At the rate canola plantings are expanding in Canada, there may not be many years before the country's canola area surpasses its total wheat area. USDA For...

Farming is like any other business that produces and sells goods and services. Its profitability depends on maximizing productivity, efficiency and economi...

If crop insurance had to operate on actuarial soundness with premiums fully paid by farmers, its value would quickly decline over time. The belief continue...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

The severe unrest in Ukraine has the world grain trade casting a wary eye on Black Sea loadings, interior Ukrainian logistics and possible spring planting...

With the Obama administration's allies abandoning it on the trade policy agenda, U.S.Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman announced a plan to try and...

Market demand for soybeans has been rather slow this past week with everyone seemingly expecting basis to drop as farmers started selling throughout South...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

If rains are disappointing this weekend in Brazil and Ukrainian political unrest continues, corn contracts could temporarily move higher without any assist...

The Russian Grain Union supports the government resolution to allow GM seeds for use in sowing as of 1 June 2014. Russian Grain Markets: 12-18 February 201...

According to a recent report, corn consumption in Saudi Arabia will increase by close to 23 percent in the next four years. This will all have to be import...

Wheat, the soy complex and now corn are all re-emphasizing the lesson to both speculative and commercial traders that excessive reliance upon automated ind...

Both Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will raise the issue of U.S. non-compliance with the WTO on country of...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

In the last few years, food retailers in Europe have shifted away from requiring that the pork and poultry meat they market be fed only with non-biotech fe...

This year's polar vortex brings a whole new focus on weather and its impact on the overall economy.Every speechwriter in Washington, DC who has put pen to...

First notice day for delivery against the March soybean and meal contracts is next week. That alone might keep the markets firm until we get into the deliv...

Monday, 17 February is a U.S. holiday. Please note that our office will be closed and the next Ag Perpsectives will be published 18 February.Monday, 17 Feb...

A study has found that the crop losses in India resulting from pest-related infestations total $8 billion, and there is an opportunity for the pesticide in...

USDA's just-released 10-year baseline projections made a bigger splash than normal because of the recently passed farm bill.USDA released its 10-year basel...

There are still more than 50 vessels waiting to load from the west coast of Canada. That totals more than 2 MMT of grain and oilseeds.We have written on se...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Although the European Parliament voted against the biotech maize event 1507, the European Commission (EC) can still move forward in allowing planting to oc...

Monday, 17 February is a U.S. holiday. Please note that our office will be closed and the next Ag Perpsectives will be published 18 February.Monday, 17 Feb...

Overnight trading started out with mixed results amid slack volume, but the soy complex started to rally during the wee hours and carried the grains along...

USDA cannot possibly construct a 10-year baseline that predicts or anticipates certain factors. The only thing we can say with confidence is that  une...

It is hard to predict large Chinese cancellations of U.S. soybean purchases when the country is buying more than it is canceling. China Testing U.S. Soybea...

Sustainability is the main charge against conventional agriculture, and the larger problem is that the antagonists successfully issue very general but plau...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

In a first, Chick-fil-A restaurants announced a phaseout of all chicken raised with antibiotics within five years. More Companies Join Trend on Protein Pro...

Russian seaports increased the volume of grain shipments in January 2014 to 1.2 MMT, 2.9 times more than the total in January 2013. Russian Grain Markets:...

Lawyers have appealed to the states' attorney generals in 16 states seeking a class action lawsuit against the food industry similar to the successful one...

If the presence of MIR 162 corn in Chinese soybean cargoes becomes a big problem, it could weaken exporters' abilities to fend off sales cancellations with...

Markets seldom trade much in February on prospects for the next crop year, but Monday's WASDE definitely perked up attention. In fact, it was almost exciti...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Improved performance in the Brazilian ports has helped reduce the inverse in soybean contracts that has declined to about half the level it was in December...

The Brazilian government's crop supply agency (Conab) today reduced its forecast for the Brazilian soybean crop to 90.01 MMT. Producers are also very conce...

The same people who trust science in the pursuit of stem cell research, climate change mitigation and evolution throw it under the bus when it comes to foo...

There presently appears to be only one event that could cause aggressive price movement during the next three weeks: the threat related to wheat. General C...

It would seem the real future growth for U.S. biofuels lies in the export market.New reports indicate that Navigant Research has released a study projectin...

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation has received a grant through a USAID-funded program to be used for the commercialization of a Striga weed-re...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Both the White House and the Republican House leadership are now positioning themselves as to what they each will demand from the debt ceiling legislation...

The EU allocated 872,000 MT of wheat export licenses last week, bringing the total to 18.2 MMT since the start of the campaign versus 11.7 MMT a year ago...

The simple fact is that demand for U.S. soybeans, corn and wheat has been much better than most analytical groups anticipated.USDA released the February WA...

Markets were quiet overnight and mostly lower with little news ahead of today's USDA WASDE report that was more positive than expected. General Comments Ma...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

In a situation where milk demand is increasing by 10-11 percent and production by 3 percent, India may not be able to fulfill its needs in 2021 without dra...

EU trade negotiators will reportedly offer their U.S. counterparts tariff elimination on 96 percent of goods, and while tariffs will remain on sensitive pr...

Corn confidently worked higher through this week. The soy complex tried to follow suit, while wheat traded in a rather indecisive manner. The reassuring fa...

Dry conditions hurt HRW production in two of the last three years. It is looking more likely that this will again be the case in 2014. The only question is...

A group called the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food, headed by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCG...

Grain and soy futures markets continue to follow a beat of their own. Much of the beat today was provided by another weekly export sales report that genera...

The market is being forced to re-evaluate demand by the surprisingly large volume of export sales since the beginning of 2014. This surging demand has also...

The  Senate's confirmation of Senator Max Baucus (D–Montana) as the new U.S. Ambassador to China has resulted in a vacancy on the powerful Finance Com...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Each week, the trade expects to see the cancellation of outstanding export sales of soybeans to China. Instead, however, there are even more sales to China...

2014 Agripalooza The market, government and technology development will all three conspire to change things in the agrifood sector in 2014. It will be exci...

Iowa State University has announced that a new strain of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) has been discovered in samples taken from Illinois and...

Agricultural products provided approximately 27 percent of all Ukrainian exports for 2013 with grains holding a very significant share of the total agricul...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Argentine farmers are simply not offering their crops for export. A primary reason for this lack of selling is the spread between the official and the blac...

Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) is dead for now, and the sudden protectionist pivot in Washington has created a sigh of relief by those in Japanese agricul...

We see today's futures market action as less important for what it did than what it did not do, and suggest that even in a bear market pattern such as we h...

The recent Egyptian purchase of Russian wheat is reportedly due to the weakness in the Russian ruble that has made Russian wheat exports more competitive i...

It is very likely that the livestock issues, crop insurance concerns, COOL and other matters will return in the upcoming appropriations process.The U.S. Se...

There is a lot going on these days on both macro and micro levels that can have direct or indirect influence on grain markets and commodity markets as a wh...

Today's final passage of a new U.S. farm law will pose a tricky decision for farmers – do they select the short-term protection of the Agriculture Risk Cov...

The Argentine government is so desperate for foreign exchange and government revenue that it is now threatening to fine farmers who do not sell their old c...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Today's strong across-the-board rally by grain and soy futures is a throwback to the sort of price action seen during the bull market days of 2012/13. Gene...

A hint in the market suggests that Brazil's new crop logistics might not be any better than last year, although there is hope for an earlier start to the s...

The final numbers for 2013 support EPA's case to reduce the RVOs for 2014 due to the blend wall.EPA released the Required Volume Obligation (RVO) data unde...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

At the peak of the Chinese New Year sales period, poultry traders have had to suspend business in some areas due to the bird flu epidemic. China's Hog Pric...

The recent change of the GASC terms that reduces the maximum allowed moisture content to 13 percent is a serious obstacle for French wheat. Without Egypt,...

The Chinese government continues to impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties against U.S. poultry products, and AmCham China implores Washington to fo...

The current marketing environment will lead to some significant changes in attitudes.Two years ago, I hired a 28-year old to work with me in my farm market...

When agreement is weak and a lot must get done, the political and logistical solution is big lumpy omnibus bills laden with lots of sweeteners to placate t...

India's sugar industry is in dire straits and incurring huge losses. However, the government has created a Sugar Development Fund, and there will now be an...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Markets in general have built more walls of worry this week over U.S. corporate earnings, emerging market concerns and slower growth in China. The bearish...

There are now in excess of 50 vessels waiting to load at west coast Canadian port facilities, and the problem is getting product to the ports. This is begi...

The President's comments about natural gas vehicles raise the question of whether the renewable fuel standard (RFS) will inch toward an alternative fuel st...

From a livestock perspective, the farm bill is notable for what provisions are not in it. Farm Bill Livestock Provisions From a livestock perspective, the...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Buyers/users are looking at prices that are sometimes half of what they were just 12 months ago. They are, as the saying goes, loading up the wagon, coveri...

Today's USDA export sales report showed a pronounced slowdown in net new export sales of soybeans and soybean products. With Brazil now harvesting its new...

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) does not want his vulnerable members to face any compromising votes before the November election. This means t...

USDA/FAS reported export sales for last week of about 1.878 MMT of old crop corn and 105,700 MT of corn for 2014/15. The old crop sales exceeded by far wha...

Large-scale fund liquidation during the day session set the stage for old crop soybean contracts to sink 13-16 cents by the close. Adding to the bearish at...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) gave definitive proof today that the trade policy agenda is in trouble. Trade Agenda Trouble U.S. Senate...

Argentina's government is desperately trying to encourage farmers to sell their crops as quickly as possible, but the lack of trust that farmers have for t...

Ukraine's Parliament approved the state budget which includes VAT refunds to Ukrainian grain exporters. This will increase the profits of Ukrainian grain p...

While wheat production has declined in the U.S. over the last two-three decades, it has expanded elsewhere in the world. That U.S. wheat should still be th...

As expected, the final conference report of the new farm bill was filed last night. It contains several new commodity programs of interest.As expected, the...

The shakeout of developing countries' currencies and world stock markets appears to have subsided at least for now. The U.S. dollar is higher, although it...

Ethanol makers are claiming that they could export a lot more of the fuel if EPA would simply mandate the production. However, this means that ethanol woul...

Iran and Ukraine have announced that they will be working much closer together on the development of joint efforts in the agriculture sector.   News...

Last Friday's USDA export sales report only served to re-affirm the torrid pace of U.S. soybean and soymeal exports in the current marketing year. It is be...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

The farm bill conference managers are pressing ahead with the final conference report today as they try to get conferees to sign off on it, even though som...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Those who default to the viewpoint that "big is bad" rarely get a good rebuttal. Now the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association has responded with a little histo...

The Crop Revenue Coverage (CRC) program has provided U.S. farmers the same thing as an enormously good put option on up to 85 percent of their proven...

Corn and wheat traded steady to higher most of the session, while soybeans had another day of back and forth trading. General Comments Markets were quiet a...

The EU allocated 819,000 MT of wheat export licenses last week, bringing the total to 16.7 MMT versus 10.8 MMT allocated at the same time last year. Millin...

Chinese society's public debate on GM food has greatly intensified and evolved from a health issue to one of national security. China's Beef Price Soars be...

Canada has an enormous transportation problem that is likely unprecedented, and it might rival Brazil in terms of shipping delays before all is said and do...

India, Vietnam, and Indonesia are the next three largest growth areas for soymeal usage after China. All three countries have now begun to see consistent s...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

The UN's International Resource Panel is concerned that water, soil and biodiversity will suffer trying to meet rising global food demand and recommends co...

The ethanol industry is arguing about the impact on corn prices and the farm economy from a reduced RFS. Ethanol on Offensive Before Comment Period Ends In...

USDA's sales totals in today's weekly export sales report did nothing to attract buying in the soy complex, although the market did climb back and trade ju...

In the first seven months of 2013/14 (April–October 2013), foreign direct investment (FDI) in the food processing sector was $2.15 billion, and there are e...

There are fewer cattle in most exporting countries and continued strong demand in importing countries, especially Asia. Beef Shortage Lower feed prices are...

Wheat was today's market leader with gains of 7-9 cents for SRW, HRW and HRS futures. Lowering world wheat prices are attracting demand. General Comments T...

The influence of enlarged corn production in the U.S., Brazil, Ukraine and other producing countries has created a new bearish psychology for the corn mark...

Seeing a physical blend wall that creates a gap between the amounts of corn-based ethanol the industry can produce and can be absorbed in the gasoline mark...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

India may have brought the world the numeric system, but it gives few favors these days when it comes to trade. Museum of Farming Britain is the perfect le...

Even though Brazilian soybeans may be $0.80 or more cheaper than U.S. soybeans, the Chinese are going to be reluctant to switch unless they feel confident...

Crops in Brazil and Paraguay are developing under very good conditions. The Brazilian soybean crop is estimated to be about 90 MMT or more, and the Paragua...

Russia exported 681,827 MT of corn in December 2013. That is a record monthly volume for Russia at 15.7 percent more than November 2013 and triple the amou...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

The concern has always been that the mere fact that food products are required to be labeled as containing GM ingredients would be taken by the public as e...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is underway in Davos, Switzerland, and several major corporate leaders reportedly aren't bothering to participate. Inconsequ...

The Chinese government announced that it will discontinue stockpiling soybean and cotton this year as a way to support farmer income. Instead, it plans to...

USAID is providing funds in Ghana for the installation of easy-to-operate corn shelling equipment that can be used by all farmers there. This new equipment...

Hot, dry conditions over southern and western Argentina had been one of the key fundamental support pillars for the soy market, and the weekend rains kicke...

Overall, the U.S. government is starting the new year on a trend toward deficit reduction. This is largely as the result of two trends.Looking back on CY 2...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

As India's pulse production has increased, it now wants to lift the ban on exports in 2014. This will help raise the domestic prices to farmers who would o...

Some producers will choose to spend less on crop inputs when profits are projected to be slim or none. That is the case as we head in to the 2014 planting...

The irony is that when non-GMO becomes commoditized, organic product companies like Amy's and Earth's Best that are pushing for GMO labeling will eventuall...

Groups continue to work toward a solution as the pressure of a two-year delay in the farm bill is mounting on dairy interests as the last holdout. As we r...

Soybeans and soymeal posted a mini-rally at the close that took March futures to the plus side and brought November futures to a 4-cent gain on the day. Ge...

The dairy provision in the new farm bill appears to be getting worked out, but now cotton is rearing its ugly head. New Farm Bill Trouble The dairy provisi...

U.S. new soybean export sales have to drop back substantially at some point soon, or there have to be significant cancellations of sales. Otherwise, the U...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

The role played by excessive speculation is a curious one. It seems that it only occurs when prices are rising, never when they are falling.As Gary Blument...

Today's grain and oilseed prices.   Some other text...

Overnight trading volume for grain and the soy complex continued the recent slowing trend, but daytime volume picked up after USDA's weekly export sales re...

The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services' nutrition guidelines are due for renewal in 2015. Meat and livestock groups will push to...

With the possible exception of old crop soybeans and soymeal, there is presently the absence of the kind of fundamental tensions that encourage trading and...

The trade liberalization agenda had the most momentum in years as 2013 was coming to a close, but now 2014 looks to be full of hurdles. Trade Agenda at Ris...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Russia has exported 16.384 MMT of grains since the beginning of MY 2013/14. That is a 25.3 percent increase compared to the 13.077 MMT exported during the...

Argentina's announced export quota of 1.5 MMT on wheat has left wheat market participants very disappointed with this policy development. They had been exp...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Kenya has set a target to double corn production in the next five years. The government also said that it will be promoting a change in the local diet to r...

Although most analysts pay little attention to grain sorghums, there were major changes to 2013 production that necessitated signifcant changes in the 2013...

The plan released yesterday afternoon provides final FY 2014 discretionary funding levels for all 12 annual appropriations bills at a total of $1.012 trill...

Today's grain and oilseed prices...

Better than expected retail sales results for December sent stock markets higher today following earlier January losses. China reportedly turned down more...

The saga over horse slaughter in the U.S. is a repeating nightmare for both its proponents and opponents. This time around, horse slaughter opponents used...