WHEAT SCOOPS: Higher wheat prices may be here for a while
02/26/2021
World corn and soybean demand may support the continuation of high wheat prices. By: Shelley E. Huguley World wheat production in 2020/21 is projected to be a record 28.4 billion bushels, which is 349 million bushels higher than production in 2019/20. 2020/21 world wheat use is projected to be a record 28.3 billion bushels. This is 821 million bushels higher than during the 2019/20 wheat marketing year. World wheat production …
Farmers need education, seat at table in climate discussion
02/26/2021
House Ag Committee begins deeper conversation of role farmers play in mitigating climate change. By: Jacqui Fatka “The question isn’t whether or not climate change is real. The question is not whether or not to reduce emissions. The question is how to best approach it,” House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Glenn “GT” Thompson shared during …
Welcoming the return of cattle sales
02/26/2021
Challenging weather kept sale barns closed, but as weather warmed buyers returned, though they were picky. After two weeks of sales being cancelled the sights and sounds of commerce were as welcoming as the warmer temperatures. Diesel engines purring like a litter of tom cats in a dairy barn. Custom paint and punch hole trailers …
Shipping crisis disrupts industry
02/26/2021
U.S. ag associations calling on Biden administration to use government tools to stem current ocean carrier practices. Seventy-one agricultural associations are calling for President Biden to intervene in a shipping container crisis that has injured food and other U.S. ag and forestry. In the letter sent Wednesday, the group requested that provisions available to the Federal …
Looking ahead at new crop pricing
02/26/2021
The latest Farm Progress PANEL shows respondents are thinking ahead with the 2021 crop before planters roll By: Willie Vogt When crop prices have challenged even the most stalwart risk management expert, a turn in values can get your attention. For the newest Farm Progress PANEL, it appears that $5 corn and $13 soybeans – …
Set course for effective spring weed control
02/19/2021
Looking back on 2020 is the first step for clean crops in 2021. By: Willie Vogt For the last few years, farmers have found that the “easy button” on weed control has been disconnected. The success of a postemergence program that got every weed doesn’t work that way anymore. This drives a growing need to …
USDA staff to help distribute COVID-19 vaccines
02/19/2021
APHIS deploys 119 employees in Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington state and Oregon to assist in vaccinations. By: Jacqui Fatka The USDA announced plans to deploy qualified personnel across several states to assist in the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. In a notice to stakeholders, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Acting Administrator Mike Watson says APHIS has …
Beef industry weathering mid-February snowstorm
02/19/2021
The full impact of subzero temperatures, loss of electricity and frozen pipes not yet known. By: Donald Stotts At this time, consumers are not likely to experience any sudden spike in beef prices brought on by mid-February snowstorms. The beef industry itself will be weathering the consequences, said Oklahoma State University experts. “Cold weather robs …
Export Sales: More lackluster results
02/19/2021
Corn, soybeans and wheat all spill lower week-over-week. By: Ben Potter USDA’s new export report, covering the week through February 11, didn’t have a lot of bullish data to digest after it was released Friday morning. Old crop corn sales sagged 67% below the prior four-week average, with old crop soybean sales down 53% over …
Ag sector starts on stronger financial footing in 2021
02/19/2021
Pace of China export growth important for measuring the strength in ag commodity markets going forward. By: Jacqui Fatka The ag economy entered this year with one of its strongest financial outlooks it’s had in years. At the start of 2020, the expectation was a 15% decline in working capital in the ag sector, but …