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Articles by Ag Battle
DTN Grain Open: Mixed Ahead of Export Sales
Harvested corn pouring into grain truck. Photo: University of Tennessee Pre-6 a.m. Globex Prices: March corn is down 1 cent per bushel, January soybeans are down 1/2 cent, and March KC wheat is up 3 1/4 cents. CME Globex Recap: Grain markets are mixed overnight with corn and soybeans lower while wheat holds gains and products are lightly mixed. Export sales will be the focus Thursday morning and should help set price direction for the day session.
DTN Livestock Open: Cash Market Pressure Tempered by Recent Futures Support
DTN Livestock Open: Cash Market Pressure Tempered by Recent Futures Support December 17, 2020 From DTN ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography Cattle futures and cash markets are moving in opposite directions heading into Thursday morning. The ability to test short-term resistance levels in February live cattle contracts is being tempered by active cash market pressure.
Equipment Manufacturers to Discuss 2020 Elections and State of Industry
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers will be hosting an opportunity for the media to discuss the 2020 elections and what the results mean for the $288 billion off-road equipment manufacturing industry.
Florida: Controlled Release Fertilizers in Crop Production
Controlled release nitrogen fertilizer. Photo: University of Minnesota Why Controlled Release? Corn is an important crop for Florida’s agriculture industry, with 95,000 acres of grain and silage corn planted in 2019 (USDA NASS 2019).
Florida: Senate Bill 712 and the Nutrient Record-Keeping Requirements
Nutrient runoff in corn field. Recently I shared an article, Senate Bill 712: Nutrient Record-Keeping Requirements for Producers Enrolled in the BMP Program, that discussed key elements of the Senate Bill 712 “The Clean Waterways Act” and how the bill affects agricultural producers. I wanted to provide additional information on the nutrient record keeping and record reporting requirements of the bill.
DTN Livestock Closing: Contracts Keep Support
Cattle feeding. Photo: ©Debra L Ferguson The livestock contracts closed mixed, with the cattle contracts finding the support necessary to close higher and the lean hog market left to wane lower as traders look for fundamental support to complement the market’s recent incline. GENERAL COMMENTS: Wednesday was the boost of energy that the live cattle contracts needed and was a shot of hope for southern feedlots that are yet to sell cattle this week.
Ag Trade: Farm Groups Give Similar Advice to Biden Team - DTN
Container ships, San Francisco Bay. Photo: NOAA Agricultural groups talking trade policy on Tuesday repeated similar themes for the incoming Biden administration to pursue such as continuing trade talks with China and eliminating its trade tariffs, as well as rejoining a Pacific trade deal and modernizing transportation infrastructure. The Farmers for Free Trade coalition released a report Tuesday on major trade policies, as did the Nebraska Farm Bureau.
Iowa Farmland Value Grows 1.7% Since 2019
A news release Tuesday from the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach indicated that, “Favorable interest rates, a strong demand for land, and substantial government payments helped stabilize Iowa’s farmland market in a year in which Iowa’s farmers faced the destructive onslaught of a derecho, significant uncertainties in US agricultural trade, and a pandemic that significantly altered market demand.” The...
Fuel Report: Diesel Prices Rise, Gasoline Mostly Stable
The U.S. average diesel fuel price increased more than 3 cents to $2.56 per gallon on December 14, 49 cents lower than a year ago. The Midwest price increased more than 4 cents to $2.48 per gallon, the Gulf Coast price increased more than 3 cents to $2.31 per gallon, the East Coast price increased 3 cents to $2.60 per gallon, the West Coast price increased nearly 3 cents to $3.07 per gallon, and the Rocky Mountain price increased nearly 2 cents $2.56 per gallon.
DTN Cotton Closing: Market Holding Gains
Defoliated cotton field ready for picking. Photo: Lance Clemmons, GW Farms. The cotton market was able to maintain its gains of the past few days by closing fractionally higher Wednesday. Traders are waiting on Thursday’s export-sales report for any sort of directional influence. Already this week, the market is up 1.60-plus cents. As expected, the Fed held benchmark interest rates near zero following the conclusion of its two-day meeting.
DTN Grain Closing: Mixed at Closing
DTN Grain Closing: Mixed at Closing December 16, 2020 By DTN Contributor Freshly harvest soybeans loaded in truck for transport to grain elevator. ©Debra L Ferguson Soybean Meal Higher, Grains Mixed January soybean meal closed up $6.30, reaching its highest close in December with off and on talk about striking workers in Argentina. March contracts of corn and soybeans were mixed with all three U.S. wheats posting small losses.
In Memory of Owen Taylor & Debra Ferguson
In Memory of Owen Taylor & Debra Ferguson December 16, 2020 By The Rev. Sarah Condon, Chaplain, Episcopal Church at Rice - Autry House On Wednesday, December 9th, 2020, Debra Ferguson and Owen Taylor were tragically killed in an automobile accident in Batesville, Mississippi. We know the loss to their friends and colleagues in the agricultural industry is immense. We will be continuing their work for the foreseeable future.
Alabama: Row Crops Short Course Available Online
Irrigation system watering cotton. Photo: University of Georgia Preparations for the upcoming growing season will not need to be put on hold during the pandemic. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Auburn University College of Agriculture’s department of crop, soil and environmental sciences are partnering to bring the annual row crops short course to producers everywhere—on their own time. Available on Dec.
Alabama: The Cotton Situation
Unquestionably, late season weather seriously affected both yield and quality. From a fiber quality standpoint, the most glaring, painful aspect is the Extraneous Matter call of seed coat fragments (SCF). The various Extraneous Matter categories and codes are listed in the table below. General deductions in loan value for Level 1 Extraneous Matter is 4.45 cents per pound.
Alabama: 2020 Soybean Insect Losses
Since 2011, Extension entomologists in Alabama have participated in the Soybean Insect Losses Report published annually in the Midsouth Entomologist. These estimates are based on the observations of Extension entomologists and informal surveys of other Extension personnel, growers, crop consultants and industry professionals that are involved in soybean production in Alabama.
DTN Grain Open: Soy Complex Leads Buying Overnight
©Debra L Ferguson Stock Images Pre-6 a.m. Globex Prices: March corn is up 3 cents per bushel, January soybeans are up 6 1/2 cents, and March KC wheat is up 4 1/2 cents. CME Globex Recap: Grain markets are stronger overnight with buying led by soybean meal and winter wheat as concerns persist in Argentina about availability of product exports. Corn and soybeans are crawling back toward resistance levels which could be setting up some interesting trade around the holidays at the end of the month.
Kentucky: Online IPM Training School, March 10
Corn earworm feeding injury. Photo: Mississippi State Universtiy In anticipation of the continued gathering restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 IPM Training School will be livestreamed on March 10, 2021 via Zoom. The program will consist of a field crop session from 8:15 AM to 11:15 AM followed by a horticulture session in the afternoon (1:00 PM to 3:45 PM).
Ag Trade: “Dynamic” Forecast for Feed Grain, China the “Primary Driver”
Photo: U.S. Grains Council Last week, in its monthly Grain: World Markets and Trade report, the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) explained that, “Trade data for 2019/20 (October-September) are largely complete. Many countries imported record volumes of corn, despite initial concerns over a potential slowdown in feed use due to COVID-19. For 2020/21, global trade for major feed grains is forecast to grow significantly from a year ago.
North Carolina Cotton: On-Farm Fiber Quality Results for 2020
Fiber Quality results for the 2020 North Carolina On-Farm Cotton Variety Evaluation Program are now in. In addition to yield, fiber quality is an important component to the value and marketability of cotton in our state and should be considered when selecting varieties. The table in the link below illustrates the average fiber quality values for each variety across all on-farm trials in 2020.
DTN Livestock Closing: Cattle Contracts Lacking Support
Photo: Kansas State University It was another good day for the lean hog and feeder cattle contracts, but the live cattle market struggled both technically and fundamentally. GENERAL COMMENTS: It was a good day for both the lean hog and feeder cattle contracts, but nearby live cattle contracts can’t say the same. Helping add to the pressure that already looms over the live cattle market, there was already some cash cattle trade in Nebraska for $105.
Louisiana Cotton: Research Examines Benefits, Challenges of Wider Rows
Cotton grows on 60-inch rows with a cover crop early in the 2020 growing season at the LSU AgCenter Northeast Research Station. Photo: Dennis Burns, LSU AgCenter An LSU AgCenter project is examining the benefits and challenges of growing cotton on wider rows that line up with configurations used for other crops, potentially saving farmers money. Cotton rows are typically either 38 or 40 inches wide.
Family Farm Diversity - A Look at Size, Profitability
Last week, the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) released its annual report exploring characteristics of U.S. farms: “America’s Diverse Family Farms: 2020 Edition.” Today’s update includes highlights from the report, which was written by Christine Whitt, Jessica E. Todd, and James M. MacDonald.
Minnesota: 2021 Research Updates for Ag Professionals - Jan. 5, 7, 12
The 2021 Research Update sessions are scheduled virtually for three sessions: Waseca, Rochester and Lamberton locations programming emphasis (Jan 5th), Crookston location programming emphasis (Jan 7th) & Willmar and Morris locations programming emphasis (Jan 12th) from 9:00 am–3:30 pm for each of the three sessions. The program will feature research-based strategies to deal with today’s changing pests, diseases, varieties, nutrient and environmental recommendations.
Indiana: Soybean Cyst Nematode Resistance Is Important
Female soybean cyst nematodes attached to a root on right, compared to root nodules on left. Photo: University of Arkansas A few weeks ago, I wrote about free testing at Purdue for Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN). SCN is one of the biggest drags on soybean yields in our area. Many people took advantage of the free testing and the Purdue lab is now maxed out! You can still have testing done for $25 per sample, which is still a bargain for the information you will receive back.
USDA: Weekly National Peanut Prices
Peanuts. Photo: Oklahoma State University The following prices are effective from Wednesday 12/16/20 at 12:01 am Eastern Time until midnight Tuesday 12/22/20. The next announcement is scheduled for Tuesday 12/22/20 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time. * $424.55 per ton for Runner peanuts * $415.57 per ton for Spanish peanuts * $428.74 per ton for Valencia peanuts * $428.74 per ton for Virginia peanuts These NPP are based on the loan rates for 2020-crop peanuts announced on July 9, 2020.
DTN Grain Closing: Soybean Meal Leading Tuesday
DTN Grain Closing: Soybean Meal Leading Tuesday December 15, 2020 By DTN Contributor Midseason soybean field. Photo: University of Minnesota Soybean Meal Leads Tuesday’s Grain Contracts January soybean meal closed up $7.50 Tuesday, the largest percentage gain among U.S. grain contracts after Dow Jones and NOPA reported a higher-than-expected soybean crush total, an indication of strong demand for meal.
DTN Cotton Closing: Ending Higher on Vaccines
Defoliated cotton field ready for picking. Photo: Lance Clemmons, GW Farms. The cotton market experienced follow-through buying Tuesday as traders are still operating off the bullish USDA data of last week, as well as the COVID-19 vaccine victory. Spot March cotton posted another set of new highs in price as well as a settlement. Such action can only affirm in the minds of traders and speculators, that long is the way to be positioned.
Shurley on Cotton: A Different Tone Controls the Market
Moving cotton modules during harvest. ©Debra L Ferguson Last week was the best week news-wise for cotton in quite a while. USDA’s monthly production estimates finally showed the lower US crop that many have long said was out there. Supply/demand projections also showed a rebound in World Use/demand. The nice build-up in prices, especially over the past 6 weeks, has been due to increased optimism in demand side factors.
Texas: Virtual Nueces/San Patricio County Field Crop Symposium, Jan. 7
Due to COVID-19 concerns, this year’s Nueces/San Patricio County Field Crop Symposium on Jan. 7 will be by virtual participation only. “Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units have been requested for participants, and we have also made a request for CEUs for certified crop advisers,” said Jason Ott, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent, Nueces County.
DTN Livestock Midday: Contracts Struggling
Cattle feeding. Photo: ©Debra L Ferguson If the live cattle market could draw more attention to its nearby contracts, all of the livestock complex would be trading higher into Tuesday’s afternoon. General Comments The live cattle contacts can’t decide if the market should scale higher or veer lower and continue to trade on both sides of steady while the lean hog and feeder cattle contracts enjoy modest gains. The cash cattle market is still quiet with bids elusive thus far in the day.
DTN Grain Midday: Mixed Markets
Freshly harvest soybeans loaded in truck for transport to grain elevator. ©Debra L Ferguson Corn is 1 to 2 cents lower, soybeans are 8 to 9 cents higher, and wheat is 2 to 5 cents higher. The U.S. stock market is firmer with the Dow up 200. The dollar index is 20 lower. Interest rate products are flat to weaker. Energies are firmer with crude up $0.50. Livestock trade is mixed with hogs leading. Precious metals are firmer with gold up $18.
DTN Cotton Open: Market Steady, Awaits Fresh News
The cotton market remains in a steady uptrend. Recently, it has found strong support from stout exports, a reduced crop, a weaker U.S. dollar, and the distribution of the COVID vaccine. Thus, trend-following speculators continue to buy the market on dips. Given the market is discounting all of that aforementioned bullish data, it is looking for different positive news to trade even higher. Tuesday, the Federal Reserve begins two days of meeting to discuss monetary policy.
States, Ag Battle for Dakota Access Pipeline - DTN
Keystone Pipeline Photo: Ray Bodden, Creative Commons If the Dakota Access pipeline is closed down, agriculture economies in the Midwest could find it difficult and more expensive to ship grain, 14 states allege in a brief filed with a federal court ahead of Jan. 8, 2021, deadline for briefs related to a proposed injunction. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will be considering an injunction to halt operations because the pipeline doesn’t have an easement.
Jump in Farm Income Driven Unsustainable Govt. Payments - Commentary
U.S. Capitol building - Washington D.C. Photo: Licensed image. The United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (ERS) recently (December 2, 2020) released their final farm income forecast which includes a forecast of 2020 net farm income (here). The numbers they present are a variation of the old “good news/bad news” story. The “good news” is national net farm income is forecast to increase from $83.6 billion in 2019 to $119.6 billion in 2020. The “bad news”?
Best Young Farmers/Ranchers: How a Town Girl Returned to the Farm - DTN
Late evening soybean harvest. ©Debra L Ferguson Harvest is rolling, and Aimee Bissell has settled into her autumn routine. First thing in the morning, she climbs into a combine and heads to the hilly fields in southwest Iowa to cut corn. She works in tandem with her husband in the second combine while her father-in-law and employees shuttle grain carts and semis. Her lunch is on-the-go in the combine cab. Breaks are rare, and she plugs into an audiobook to keep her active mind entertained.
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