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EPA Proposes Chlorpyrifos Safety Steps - DTN
EPA announced a proposal on Friday to improve the safety of using the insecticide chlorpyrifos. The proposal follows a draft risk assessment the agency released in September. The EPA is proposing labeling amendments to limit applications associated with drinking water risks as well as requiring additional personal protection equipment and application restrictions to address handler risks.
DTN Late-Year Farmer Survey - Optimism, Some Surprises
Photo: Getty Images Higher incomes and increased commodity prices have farmers feeling more confident about the present and their immediate future despite that, for many producers, the 2020 presidential election did not turn out the way they hoped. The latest DTN/The Progressive Farmer Agriculture Confidence Index is 145.9, up 52 points from August though down 18.2 from the same period at the end of 2019.
Developing Technologies to Help Farmers - DTN
Microsoft Azure Global Chief Scientist Ranveer Chandra admits he didn’t like his early experiences with agriculture. “I grew up in a city in India, but for the first 18 years, I spent a lot of time at my grandparent’s farm. They had a mango orchard and grew wheat, rice and sugarcane,” said Chandra. “Back then, I didn’t like agriculture much. The farms didn’t have electricity or indoor toilets. You had to go to the bathroom in the field,” he said.
DTN Cotton Close: Market Adjusting Ahead Of USDA’s Thursday Report
Gin employee finishing out ginned bales of cotton. ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Images The cotton market survived early weakness to finish slightly lower Tuesday. Volume was a fraught 15,000 contracts. The market is gearing up Thursday’s USDA reports. First, it will issue its weekly export sales report, followed by the December supply and demand report. Traders expect to see supportive numbers in both reports. The market also continues to monitor the weakness in the U.S. dollar.
DTN Closing Grain: Lower As Bullish Pressures Subside
DTN Closing Grain: Lower As Bullish Pressures Subside December 8, 2020December 8, 2020 From DTN Mississippi River Port - Grain Elevators, Rosedale, Mississippi ©Debra L Ferguson Active contracts of corn, soybeans and all three wheats closed lower Tuesday, pressured by rain in Brazil and a lack of fresh export news. Outside markets were mostly quiet, with the December U.S. Dollar Index showing a small gain. Posted in A-AgFax News, DTN Grain Close, Grain, Soybeans
Congressional Ag Leadership Will Have Plenty Of Balls To Juggle in 2021 - DTN
Arkansas Sen. John Boozman is looking forward to the opportunity to take the lead for Republicans on the Senate Agriculture Committee in the next Congress. With Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., retiring from Congress, Boozman is in line to become either the chairman or ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, depending on the outcome of the Georgia Senate runoff elections on Jan. 5.
DTN Grains Midday: A General Slump Halfway Through The Day
Mature soybean pods ready for harvest. ©Debra L Ferguson The U.S. stock market is firmer with the Dow up 90. The dollar index is 13 higher. Interest rate products are firmer. Energies are mixed with crude down $0.05. Livestock trade is firmer. Precious metals are mixed with gold up $8.80. CORN Corn trade is 4 to 5 cents lower with trade remaining range bound with flat spread action with spillover pressure from soybeans at midday. The daily export wire was quiet today.
DTN Livestock Midday: Support Surfaces In Livestock Contracts
Photo: Texas AgriLife Extension Lo and behold, as the noon hour approached, support jumped back into the livestock contracts and is rallying the entire marketplace. Even though support levels are meek, and traders are cautious as pork demand has been less than ideal and boxed beef prices are scaling lower, Tuesday’s midday higher trade brings some positive moral to the marketplace. March corn is down 4 1/2 cents per bushel and January soybean meal is down $4.50.
DTN Cotton Open: Market Lower, Preps for USDA Data
Coosa, Georgia, cotton field ready for harvest. Photo: Nick McMichen The cotton market was sharply higher Monday driven in part by dollar weakness, a resilient stronger stock market and a general global “risk-on” mentality. Tuesday however, the cotton market is slightly off as traders prepare for Thursday’s duel data dump. Early Thursday USDA will issue its weekly export sales data. Of late, sales have been strong with China as the lead buyer last week.
DTN Livestock Open: Sharp Boxed Beef Losses Create Additional Market Concern
DTN Livestock Open: Sharp Boxed Beef Losses Create Additional Market Concern December 8, 2020 From DTN Market tone through the entire livestock complex quickly soured Monday, following greater concerns of rising COVID-19 cases, impacting current and upcoming meat demand. Follow-through pressure is likely Tuesday, surrounded by general market weakness in outside markets during overnight trade.
DTN Grain Open: Lower as Weather, China’s Absence Weigh
The Port of Rosedale - Rosedale, Mississippi - Mississippi River ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography Pre-6 a.m. Globex Prices: March corn is down 1 1/2 cents per bushel, January soybeans are down 5 3/4 cents, and March KC wheat is down 4 cents. CME Globex Recap: Grain markets are weaker across the board as it becomes apparent upside momentum has been lost by bulls amid more favorable weather in South America and a slowdown in buying by China.
DTN Cotton Close: Higher, Awaits WASDE, Exports
Moving cotton modules during harvest. ©Debra L Ferguson The cotton market ended its Monday session sharply higher amid trader expectations for Thursday’s USDA data. Initially, USDA will issue its weekly export sales. Of late, sales and shipments have been running strong, with current seasonal sales running at 70% plus of USDA’s crop year target.
DTN Livestock Close: Contracts Continue to Bleed Lower
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Adam Russell Boxed beef prices closed substantially lower Monday afternoon following suit with the rest of the livestock complex. GENERAL COMMENTS: Monday was rough on the livestock contracts as all three markets closed lower, keeping with Friday’s doggish trade. With traders unwilling to step into the marketplace, the contracts were left with no other option but to veer lower.
DTN Grain Close: Trade Ends Mixed
DTN Grain Close: Trade Ends Mixed December 7, 2020 From DTN ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Images After lower starts Sunday evening, March contracts of corn and winter wheat rebounded to finish higher Monday, finding support on an otherwise quiet day of trade. March soybeans and soy products finished modestly lower.
DTN Grain Open: Soybeans, Corn Move Higher
©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography Corn is 2 to 3 cents higher, soybeans are 3 to 5 cents higher, and wheat is narrowly mixed. The U.S. stock market is mixed with the Dow down 120. The dollar index is 5. Interest rate products are firmer. Energies are mixed with crude down .20. Livestock trade is weaker. Precious metals are mixed with gold up $30.00.
DTN Livestock Midday: Doggish Undertones Lead Contracts Lower
©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography Monday’s trade hasn’t granted the livestock contracts ample support and an opportunity to trade higher, but instead has lead the contracts lower once again. General Comments The livestock contracts aren’t warming up to Monday’s arrival even though the noon hour nears. A lack of trader interest and downward pressure sends the entire livestock complex lower in Monday afternoon trade. March corn is up 3 3/4 cents per bushel and January soybean meal is up $0.80.
DTN Cotton Open: Market Caught in 2-Way Trade
Truck backing up to unload cotton module onto gin conveyor belt. ©Debra L Ferguson The cotton market remains quiet in narrow trade Monday morning as it awaits Thursday’s WASDE report. Last month, the government increased the 2020 crop at a time when traders were looking for lower production due to several occurrences of adverse weather across the Cotton Belt. That report is out at Noon EST Thursday. Additionally, USDA will issue its most recent export sales data Thursday morning.
DTN Grain Open: Markets Begin Week on Back Foot
Corn stocks at an elevator location during harvest. ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Images Pre-6 a.m. Globex Prices: March corn is down 4 cents per bushel, January soybeans are down 9 cents, and March KC wheat is down 8 cents. CME Globex Recap: Grain markets are weaker across the board with follow through selling from last week. South American weather is mostly benign while demand from China has been a bit slower of late.
DTN Livestock Open: Hope, Uncertainty Battle for Cattle Market Direction
DTN Livestock Open: Hope, Uncertainty Battle for Cattle Market Direction December 7, 2020 From DTN Live cattle futures shifted lower last week, creating concerns that the recent market rally may come to a premature end. But underlying market support and potential end-of-year buyer interest is creating renewed hope early Monday morning.
Distillers Dried Grain Prices Strengthen - DTN
The average price for domestic distillers dried grains (DDG) from the 40 locations DTN contacted with spot offers for the week ended Dec. 3 was $202 per ton, up $7 on average versus two weeks ago. DDG prices continue to push higher and are currently up approximately $15 versus the average for the month of November. Slower ethanol plant production time and strong domestic and international demand for protein are causing the higher prices for domestic DDG and export DDGS.
Prevented Planting - Delayed Tweaks Now On The Books - DTN
USDA’s Risk Management Agency has finalized a crop insurance change for spring-planted crops that will require farms nationally to meet the “1-in-4” planting requirement for acres to be eligible for prevented-planting coverage. The change was among multiple policy tweaks that will go into effect for 2021 spring crops.
Iowa: Equipment Decisions Worth Considering Ahead Of 2021
Vertical tillage tool. Photo: deere.com As farming slows down for the winter, many producers start thinking about what tools they might want to add to their farm for the next crop season. Throughout the year, we’ve shared information on equipment and products that you might be considering for your operation.
AgFax Weekend: Giant Aussie-Type Grain Wagons Rolling In U.S. | Covid Aid Pitched
Semi loading grain at mother bin. EDITOR’S PICKS Huge Australian-Type “Mother Bins” Promise Increased Harvest Efficiency – DTN 12-1 Dec. 11 Deadline Approaching for USDA COVID Relief 12-1 Syngenta Moves on Atrazine Lawsuit – DTN 12-3 New COVID Aid Package Pitched – DTN 12-2 USDA Lending Rates Unchanged from Nov. 12-1 Corn: Final Syngenta Payments Coming – DTN 12-1 Want To Quit Farming?
Weekly Cotton Market Review - USDA
Cotton modules lined up in a gin yard. ©Debra L Ferguson Average spot quotations were down 63 points from the previous week, according to the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service’s Cotton and Tobacco Program. Quotations for the base quality of cotton (color 41, leaf 4, staple 34, mike 35-36 and 43-49, strength 27.0-28.9, and uniformity 81.0-81.9) in the seven designated markets averaged 67.56 cents per pound for the week ending Thursday, December 3, 2020.
DTN Livestock Close: Most Contracts Finish Lower
Friday closed mostly lower throughout the livestock contracts with the feeder cattle market being the only one able to secure some profitability. GENERAL COMMENTS: Friday (and this past week really) ended up being a disappointing trade week for the livestock contracts. Meanwhile, the cash cattle market was also less than what the week had hoped for as feedlots aspired to move the market $2.00 to $3.00 higher.
DTN Grain Close: Soybean Oil Defies Bearish Markets
DTN Grain Close: Soybean Oil Defies Bearish Markets December 4, 2020 From DTN ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography March contracts of corn, soybeans and all three U.S. wheats finished lower Friday with rain still in the forecast for central Brazil. March soybean oil and January canola pushed higher, however, still supported by Thursday’s lower-than-expected canola crop estimate from Statistics Canada.
Georgia Soybeans: NASS Adjusts Production Forecast
Soybean harvest. ©Debra L Ferguson Georgia’s soybean crop could end up better than predicted earlier this year, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service November Crop Production report released on Nov. 10. Georgia’s soybean yield prediction was increased from 39 bushels per acre in October to a record-high 43 bushels per acre. If realized, Georgia soybean production in 2020 is forecast at 4 million bushels, up 328,000 bushels (10%) from NASS’ October forecast and up 60% from 2019.
DTN Cotton Close: Higher on Dow, Dollar
Mature cotton bolls in early morning light. ©Debra L Ferguson The cotton market closed markedly higher Friday as traders viewed the all-time high stock markets and the falling U.S. dollar as bullish forces. Also, rising crude oil prices may have supported cotton prices. Of late, the market has been in a two-sided struggle between improving foreign demand (weaker dollar?) and the fear of another wave of COVID-19.
Drought Monitor Weekly: Generally Widespread Precipitation
Summary A couple Pacific weather systems, in the form of shortwave troughs or closed lows, moved in the jet stream flow across the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) during this U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) week. The weather systems brought rain or snow to the coastal Pacific Northwest, dried out as they traversed an upper-level ridge over the West, then picked up Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic moisture as they moved across the southern Plains to East Coast.
Kansas Department of Ag Grant to Fund Disposal of Orphaned Pesticide
Pesticide disposal. Photo: Ohio State University The Kansas Department of Agriculture pesticide and fertilizer program recently received a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, to aid in the disposal of orphaned pesticide products. Orphaned pesticide products are herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides and fungicides that can no longer be offered for sale in Kansas.
NOAA Drought Outlook Monthly - December
©Debra L Ferguson Stock Images During November, drought expanded and intensified across a large swath of the southern tier of the contiguous U.S., with degradations most pronounced in Texas. In contrast, widespread precipitation relieved drought conditions for parts of both the Northwest and Northeast.
Moving Grain: FMCSA Clarifies Ag Commodity Definition in Hours-of-Service Regulations
FMCSA Clarifies Agricultural Commodity Definition in Hours-of-Service Regulations The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published an interim final rule (IFR) on November 19, clarifying the definition of “agricultural commodity” in the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations.
Georgia Pecans: A New Fertilizer Product? - Podcast
Georgia Pecans: A New Fertilizer Product? – Podcast December 4, 2020 By Andrew Sawyer, University of Georgia Extension Pecan Specialist Southeast Georgia extension pecan specialist Andrew Sawyer interviews county extension agent Scout Carter about potential new products to aid in fertilizing young orchards in this episode of the South Georgia Pine podcast.
USDA: Peanut Price Highlights
Harvested peanuts. Photo: Madison Cartwright, Texas AgriLife Extension Peanut prices received by farmers for all farmer stock peanuts averaged 21.8 cents per pound for the week ending November 28, up 1.0 cent from the previous week. Marketings of all farmer stock peanuts for the week ending November 28 totaled 54.7 million pounds, down 27.4 million pounds from the previous week.
Texas Hemp: Growing-Season Potency Testing Available
Industrial hemp farm. Photo: Alabama Cooperative Extension The ability to conduct potency tests for the state’s newcomer crop – hemp – during the growing season is coming to Texas A&M AgriLife soon with the new Texas A&M AgriLife Hemp Testing Service.
Cleveland On Cotton: USDA’s December 10 Report - A Pivotal Point?
Cotton picker and modules in picked field at sunset. ©Debra L Ferguson As has been long expected, the cotton market continues to work the 70- to 74-cent level, with most of the trading activity between 71 and 73 cents. December futures, with just two trading sessions remaining before expiry, slipped below 70 cents this week, suggesting the March could easily face the same fate. Presently, mills are sitting back simply buying cotton on an as-needed basis, seeing little reason to book forward.
2020 Tobacco Situation and Outlook - Video
2020 Tobacco Situation and Outlook – Video December 4, 2020 By Matthew Vann, North Carolina State University Extension Tobacco Specialist A flue-cured tobacco field in Wilson, N.C. Photo: Chris Bickers, Tobacco Farmer Newsletter The 2020 tobacco season ended with good demand and prices for farmers in North Carolina. Will that momentum carry forward into 2021? What are the factors impacting supply and demand? Click the video link below to hear an update from Dr. Blake Brown (Hugh C.
Iowa Soybeans: Statewide Foliar Fungicide Evaluation in 2020
Frogeye leaf spot on soybean leaves. With support from the soybean checkoff through the United Soybean Board, Iowa State University researchers evaluated foliar fungicides on soybean in 2020. Because dry weather affected all seven field locations, this year was really an evaluation of fungicides largely in the absence of disease. Seventeen fungicides were tested at the R3 (beginning pod) growth stage, at the recommended label rate.
2020 Farm Sector Income Forecast, Dec. Update
The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) indicated on Wednesday that, “Net farm income, a broad measure of profits, is forecast to increase $36.0 billion (43.1 percent) from 2019 to $119.6 billion in 2020. “2020 Farm Sector Income Forecast,” December 2020 (USDA-ERS). Click Image to Enlarge “Net cash farm income is forecast to increase $24.7 billion (22.6 percent) to $134.1 billion.
Louisiana Rice: Reviewing the 2020 Season
Rice harvest. ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography Two LSU AgCenter rice experts gave their perspectives on the past growing season in Louisiana during an online presentation for the 2020 USA Rice Outlook Conference on Dec. 2. The event is usually held in one of the six rice-producing states — it was scheduled for Austin, Texas, in 2020 — but it was held virtually this year because of the pandemic. Don Groth, resident coordinator of the AgCenter H.
Not Enough Hazelnuts? Future Climate Points to Australia for New Cultivations
Hazlenut orchard in Hillsboro, Orgeon. Photo: M.O. Stevens, Wiki Commons Over the last decade, growing food industry led demand for hazelnuts has not been satisfied globally with a corresponding expansion in supply. Most worldwide commercial hazelnut orchards are traditionally concentrated in a select few areas: in fact, more than half of the global production of in-shell hazelnuts is concentrated in Turkey, followed by Italy, Oregon, and Azerbaijan.
Georgia Cotton: Price, McAllister Presented 2020 King Cotton Awards
Cotton harvest. ©Debra L Ferguson County UGA Cooperative Extension Service agents are an important resource for Georgia cotton farmers. Agents are known for delivering timely and accurate information, which is instrumental for the success of Georgia’s farmers. They also perform community specific research, education and outreach programs designed to help farmers maximize yields and efficiency.
Ag Economy: Nov. Observations from the Federal Reserve
Midseason soybean field. Photo: University of Minnesota On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve Board released its November 2020 Beige Book update, a summary of commentary on current economic conditions by Federal Reserve District. The report included several observations pertaining to the U.S. agricultural economy. Graph of Fed Districts from, “The Beige Book.” Click Image to Enlarge * Sixth District- Atlanta– “Agricultural conditions were mixed.
Texas Webinar: Ag Law Year in Review - Dec. 10
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will address landowner liability and laws during a free On the Line with AgriLife webinar at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 10. Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist in Amarillo, will be the featured speaker for this session, “The 2020 Ag Law Year in Review/Looking Forward to 2021.” It will be held on the Zoom meeting platform. Participants may also call in to 346-248-7799 and enter meeting ID: 936 5015 8712.
DTN Grain Midday: All Markets Move Lower
Corn stocks at an elevator location. ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Images Corn is 3 to 4 cents lower, soybeans are 5 to 6 cents lower, and wheat is 2 to 8 cents lower. The U.S. stock market is firmer with the Dow up 175. The dollar index is flat. Interest rate products are weaker. Energies are firmer with crude up $0.40. Livestock trade is weaker. Precious metals are mixed with gold down $6.00.
DTN Livestock Midday: Support Still Hard to Come By
Cattle feed lot. Photo: K-State Research and Extension - Creative Commons So far Friday’s trade has been mostly uneventful with limited support surfacing and the only livestock contract trading higher being the feeder cattle market. General Comments As the day gets closer and closer to the noon hour, the feeder cattle contracts are starting to see some support develop, but the lean hog contracts and live cattle contracts unfortunately cannot say the same.
Georgia Peanuts: Through the Eyes of a Farmer - Clay Oliver - Video
Photo credit: IFAS Communications It’s #FarmerFriday and time to meet Clay Oliver! Clay began farming with his brother full time in 2005 but also had other ideas. After fuel prices went up in 2008, Clay brainstormed ways to turn farm products into biofuel but ultimately found his way into the culinary world with food-grade oils.
DTN Cotton Open: Higher as Trend Holds
©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography The cotton market is higher Friday morning as traders are encouraged by the ability of the long-standing technical trend to stay intact. Ever since its emotional and dynamic bottom this past April, the market has been on an upside tear. Now, with the hope of several vaccines, some traders are thinking about better days and thus continue to be bullish.
DTN Grain Open: Mixed Ahead of Weekend
Mississippi River Port ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography Pre-6 a.m. Globex Prices: March corn is up 1/4 cent per bushel, January soybeans are up 4 cents, and March KC wheat is down 1/2 cent. CME Globex Recap: Grain markets are mixed overnight with higher soybeans and soybean oil while wheat, meal and corn are lower. It feels like our markets are trying to hammer out some ranges which will provide direction for trade this winter.
Where Are Grain Prices Heading? Ask The Dollar - DTN
©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography Life is full of eerie little coincidences: You dream of a long-forgotten friend one night, then they call you the next day — or you just happen to notice your 10 millimeter wrench laying on the wrong workbench the day before it’s urgently needed for a repair. I have friends who would argue these aren’t just coincidences; there are deeper, more meaningful forces at work.
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