USDA Cuts U.S. Soy, Wheat Stocks 

By Richard Brock

On Tuesday morning, USDA lowered its estimates of 2007-2008 U.S ending stocks for soybeans and wheat by more than the trade expected, while leaving its corn carryout estimate unchanged from February...

Senate Votes To Extend Farm Bill Until April 18 

Source: Southwest Farm Press

The Senate passed an extension of the 2002 Farm Bill to give its and House Agriculture Committee leaders more time to try to reach an agreement with the White House on a new farm bill...

The Super Bowl Of Agriculture 

By Dr. Dave Kohl

Recently I took a Road Warrior stop at the Super Bowl of Agricultural Management – The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers (TEPAP) – in Austin, TX. If any of you want a high-energy jolt to your business, put this event on the calendar. Yes, it is quite costly, but the information, networking and sharing of expertise is second to none...

Ethanol Industry Under Fire 

By Kent Thiesse

The ethanol industry has been taking some pretty severe hits lately from the popular news media, some university studies, environmental organizations, food processors, livestock organizations and some political leaders...

Slow Progress In Farm Bill Talks 

By Richard Brock

The Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee said on Sunday he is optimistic Congress can reach an agreement on farm bill spending this week, but added that a short-term extension of the current law may be needed to allow for further negotiations with the Bush administration...

Agricultural Outlook Presented To U.S. Congress: Grain Prices High, Net Farm Income Strong 

Source: FAPRI

Grain prices increased dramatically in the last two years and are expected to remain well above pre-2006 levels, report economists with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI)...

“My Ag Lender is Worth 100 Basis Points” 

By Dr. Dave Kohl

At a recent seminar in St. Cloud, MN, a farm couple stated, “My ag lender is worth 100 basis points.” With farm and ranch customers becoming more interest-rate-sensitive their response was a surprise to the audience. One participant challenged the couple saying...

NCGA Pleased Progress Being Made on Farm Bill 

Source: National Corn Growers Association

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is optimistic that a farm bill will be completed by March 15. House and Senate lawmakers are currently focusing on a spending level of approximately $9 billion above the budget baseline over a period of 10 years. ...

Is The Next Sub-Prime Lending Mess In Asia? 

By Dave Kohl

“Money floats around the world attempting to find a place to get lost.” This was a quote given to me by a Montana rancher back in the early 1980s. How correct he was!...

No Change in Flexible Lease Agreements and DCP Payments 

By Kent Thiesse

The rapid rise in corn and soybean commodity prices in the past two years, and the resulting projected increase in gross crop income per acre for the 2008 crop year, has caused many landlords to consider...

Vegetable Oil Markets Soar 

By Richard Brock

World vegetable oil prices continue to rise to new all-time highs amid ideas China will boost imports further as it tries to control strong food-price inflation...

Conservation Reserve Program 

Source: University of Illinois

The debate surrounding the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is an indication of the concern about production risk in 2008 and the implications for crop prices and the resulting impact on livestock producers and, ultimately, on food prices, says University of Illinois Extension Marketing Specialist Darrel Good...

Ag Economist: World Grain Demand Straining U.S. Supply  

Consumers usually reduce their purchases of goods and services if prices become too high. Buyers of U.S. corn, soybeans and wheat seem to be ignoring that economic principle, however, as the nation's grain stocks reach critically low levels, says Chris Hurt, a Purdue University agricultural economist...

Corn, Soybean, Wheat Prices Hit All-Time Highs 

Soybeans reached an all-time price high the night of Feb. 14 with July 2008 soybean futures selling for $14.08 on the CBOT's electronic platform...

Lessons Learned From The Sub-Prime Credit Crunch 

By Dr. Dave Kohl

Agriculture and the overall perception of the industry appear “hotter than a pepper sprout” right now! Well, if one observed the stock market and the real estate market, both were in similar circumstances a few years ago...