More in Business

  • May 9, 2013
    blog

    Why Corn Could Turn Bullish

    I'm starting to sharpen my bull horns in corn!...More
  • May 7, 2013
    blog

    Financial Shock and Stress Testing

    The other day a young producer was concerned because he had difficulty obtaining his operating loan for yearly operations. He stated that the lender performed financial shock tests that raised concerns about his financial status. Let’s examine some of the financial shock tests that are top of mind with your lender, and particularly the regulators that provide oversight on agricultural loans....More
  • May 7, 2013
    blog

    ACRE Program Decisions for 2013

    The Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program was implemented by USDA for the 2009 crop year, as part of the 2008 Farm Bill, and continued for the 2010 to 2012 crop years. For 2013, eligible farm operators will again have the option to enroll in the ACRE Program, as an alternative to the current Counter-Cyclical Payment (CCP) Program....More
  • May 7, 2013
    blog

    USDA to Update 2013-2014 Forecasts

    With Friday morning’s monthly USDA supply/demand update expected to show only minor adjustments in 2012-2013 estimates, the corn and soybean trade will focus on the agency’s first monthly estimates for 2013-2014....More
  • May 2, 2013
    blog

    Should You Sell Corn?

    Corn bulls were happy to see ethanol production at 857,000 barrels per day (largest since last July), and were also happy to see strong blender demand pushing ethanol stocks lower as well.  I should point out there were ZERO ethanol imports reported last week....More
  • Apr. 30, 2013
    blog

    Farmland Values and Commodity Prices

    Speaking of webcasts, a banker from Iowa asked an interesting question during a recent webcast. He wanted to know my thoughts on how much farmland prices would be adversely affected in 2014 and 2015 if prices for crops drop below breakeven levels, for example $3-4/bu. corn. Let’s examine this issue that is top of mind with lenders and to a lesser extent with agricultural producers....More
  • Apr. 30, 2013
    blog

    ACRE in 2013: Making Your Decision

    The Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) was part of the 2008 Farm Bill and offers an alternative to the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP). The deadline for signup this year is June 3....More
  • Apr. 25, 2013
    blog

    Bullish corn story might be developing in the far east.

    Keep the Chinese weather situation up on the radar screen.....More
  • Apr. 24, 2013
    video
    Corn and Soybean Digest

    Farmers: Use Social Media to Connect with Consumers

    Michele Payn-Knoper, founder, Cause Matters Corp., talks about how farmers can use social media to tell their stories and connect with consumers and those concerned about food....More
  • Apr. 23, 2013
    blog

    Enthusiastic About the Future of Agriculture: Top-10 List, Number 1

    The final reason I am optimistic about agriculture is not one specific reason. It is a combination of reasons based upon my travels, interaction with people and general observations from my past experience and vision into the future....More
  • Apr. 23, 2013
    blog

    Earth Day 2013

    For over four decades, an annual event called Earth Day has been held in late April across the United States, which has been a time for all U.S. citizens to reflect on our country’s environmental resources, and what we can do individually and as communities to help enhance our environment for the next generation. In recent years, it has become fashionable to point the finger of blame at agriculture and farmers for many environmental issues....More
  • Apr. 23, 2013
    blog

    Corn Producers Seem Stumped

    Producers however should be careful getting all bulled up simply on the planting delays......More
  • Apr. 23, 2013
    video
    Corn and Soybean Digest

    No More Food Fights: Understanding Farmer and Foodie Perspective

    In an effort to break stereotypes, the book describes farmers who don’t wear overalls but who do use technology in producing food and preserving the environment, dairy farmers who work on “cow comfort,” and how hard farmers work on sustainability. On the other side, the book reminds farmers that only a tiny percentage of the population lives on a farm and urges farmers to tell their stories through social media and every day conversation to correct mistaken beliefs about food production perpetuated by traditional media....More
  • Apr. 19, 2013
    blog

    What I Like About the Soybean Market Right Now

    USDA export estimates of 1.350 billion is too low...suffice to say, I have to agree......More
  • Apr. 18, 2013
    blog

    What Do You Want to Tell Consumers About Agriculture?

      As Earth Day 2013 draws near, conservation is perhaps more in the forefront of everyone’s mind. However, we in agriculture know that farmers do their best to conserve EVERY day, not just on April 22 every year....More
  • Apr. 16, 2013
    blog

    Concerns About Chinese Soy Demand Grow

    While last Wednesday’s USDA supply/demand report sparked renewed concerns about tight U.S. soybean stocks, ample world soybean stocks and rising worries about Chinese demand seem set to keep pressure on soybean prices....More
  • Apr. 16, 2013
    blog

    8 Considerations with Custom Farming Agreements

    An alternative to leasing farmland is a custom farming agreement. In a typical custom farming agreement, the custom operator agrees to perform all the machine operations on the owner’s land in exchange for a set fee or rate. The landowner pays for all seed, fertilizer, chemicals, crop insurance and other input costs; receives the all grain produced and all eligible farm program payments on the land; and is responsible to store and market the grain....More
  • Apr. 16, 2013
    blog

    Green Shoots in the U.S. Economy

    Despite all the bickering and inaction of our leaders in Washington, D.C., the U.S. economy is like green shoots of grass emerging from the winter doldrums. What are some of the metrics indicating a comeback in the economy?...More
  • Apr. 16, 2013
    blog

    Keep an Eye on the Soybean Market

    Both Argentina and Brazilian soybean meal shipments are much less than last year. From my perspective, there may end up being some significant business switched back to the U.S. if that continues to be the case....More
  • Apr. 15, 2013
    blog

    Weather and Planting continue to play to the bullish side!

    Looks like we will remain wetter and cooler here in the US through April.....More
  • Apr. 9, 2013
    blog

    What Will the April 2013 WASDE Say?

    Just remember WASDE and NASS don't always see eye to eye......More
Continuing Education Courses
New Course

Accredited for 2 hours/CCA Soil & Water credits. The 2,000 member...

This online CE course details sound mechanical irrigation design and management practices to...
Keeping crop protection chemicals on the crop for which they are intended has been a...