Ongoing strength in commodity prices contributed to an improvement in farmer sentiment, according to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Jim Mintert is the director of the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture. “That’s largely a reflection of the boost in commodity prices we’ve seen,” he says. “If you look at prices, for example, for corn and soybeans from when we did the survey in March to when we […]
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. Domestic crush and export demand continue to be strong, but beans were unable to follow through on the early gains, with spillover from the outside markets and soybean meal. Sustained export demand, including from China, is a question mark due to concerns about the global economy. China is likely out of the market until Thursday due to holiday celebrations. Soybeans are also […]
The Missouri Pork Association and Missouri Corn Growers Association are working together to increase opportunities for corn-fed pork in the state. MPA Executive Director Don Nikodim tells Brownfield they’ve added several sow operations in Missouri the past few years, but unfortunately a lot of the young pigs get moved to other states for finishing. “One thing we have been working with the corn folks on is to figure how we […]
Higher interest rates are seen in USDA’s latest Farm Service Agency loans. For May 2022, the interest rate for direct farm operating loans has gone from 1.75 percent a year ago to 2.875. The direct farm ownership loan rate is 3.375 percent compared to 3.25 percent in May 2021. Interest rates for FSA emergency loans were at 2.75 percent last year and are now at 3.75 percent. USDA says these […]
Supply chain disruptions and inflation are challenging food relief efforts. Vince Hall, chief government relations officer with Feeding America, discusses some of the barriers facing food banks. Healthy Living: Click here for more information. ...
A central Iowa farmer says steady rains have eliminated drought concerns for now. Lee Tesdell tells Brownfield, “I would say our subsoil moisture is completely replenished now.” Tesdell farms in northern Polk County. He says drought was an issue last summer, but conditions changed for the better. “With the creek out of its banks, obviously the tiles are running pretty strong right now,” Tesdell said. “They are buried in the […]
An ag economist expects net farm incomes to tighten if the Federal Reserve opts to raise the interest rate this week. Ernie Goss with Creighton University tells Brownfield cost of production is high from skyrocketing input costs. “I will call it unsustainable paces. On the flip side, their revenues have also been growing. At this point and time, at least according to the bankers, the revenues for the farmers have […]
Mother Nature has brought much needed relief from severe drought for producers in a Western Corn Belt state. Central Nebraska farmer Clay Govier says 4 inches of rain have fallen since Saturday and that’s been the first measurable moisture since October.“ I don’t know if it’s going to necessarily solve all of our problems, but it certainly has brought a lot of hope to farmers and other producers in the […]
Across the Corn Belt, a widespread rain event—stretching from Iowa into the Ohio Valley and lower Great Lakes region—is bringing renewed planting delays. Although dry weather has returned across the far upper Midwest, many fields remain too cool and wet for widespread planting. U.S. corn planting, 14% complete by May 1, last got off to a slower start in 2013, when only 8% of the crop had been seeded on […]
