Agri-Pulse interviewed Philip Seng, President and CEO USMEF on Open Mic this week: International trade can be a “gold mine” for beef and pork producers as well as the grain growers they rely on for feed. However, U.S. red meat exports are challenged from lower domestic production and the rising value of the U.S. dollar. In this week’s Open Mic …
MGEX Sets New Records
2014 was a record year for the Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX) in total volume of trading at 2,177,740. It marks the first time in history that the Exchange’s volume has surpassed 2 million in a calendar year. Electronic volume during 2014 was 1,856,423, which is also an all-time high for the Exchange. Total volume from 2014 was 47 percent higher …
GROWMARK Report Studies Stocks-to-Use
A new report from GROWMARK Research challenges the commonly accepted notion that ending stocks are a primary determinant of agricultural commodity prices. In the report, GROWMARK economic and market research manager Kel Kelly shows that stocks are inversely correlated with prices, but that the correlation occurs within a limited price range, meaning that stocks do not dictate the extent of …
Dupont Pioneer Collaborates with DTN
If you’ve thought we need more weather monitoring stations out there you’re not alone. Dupont Pioneer and DTN/The Progressive Farmer announced a collaboration today that will address this very subject. The project will not only bring instant weather to customers but also market information and new electronic grain trading capabilities. I just spoke with Dan Uppena, DuPont Pioneer business manager, …
Passing of Gary Wilhelmi
Sad to hear that long-time market analyst Gary Wilhelmi has passed away. We remember spending so much time with him on the phone during our days at Brownfield when he would do the midday market analysis. Will always fondly recall his droll sense of humor and great sense of what the markets were doing. Rest in Peace, friend. Here’s the …
ASTA CSS Offers Grain Markets Outlook
Once again this year at the ASTA CSS 2013, for the third year in a row now, AgResource Company president Dan Basse looked at the year in review for grain markets and gave his outlook for the future. While there are bright spots, Dan’s overall outlook for the year ahead is pretty sobering, saying the good times may have come …
Rabo AgriFinance Report From NAFB
Rabo AgriFinance was present for the recent Trade Talk during the 2013 NAFB Convention. The company is the leading U.S. ag lender and specializes in protein to produce and inputs to oilseeds. Their expert team monitors and evaluates the global market that influences agriculture around the world. I spoke with two of the team’s analysts at the event and they …
Argentina’s Export Tariffs
During the IFAJ Congress, I was very surprised to learn that Argentina has export tariffs on a number of agricultural commodities, including corn and soybeans. I understand import tariffs, but export tariffs would seem to do nothing but hurt a country’s agricultural industry. “Argentina has export taxes on almost every product that we export, but in the case of grain …
Farm Bureau: Fourth of July Still a Bargain
While prices at the grocery store might have gone up a bit, our friends at the American Farm Bureau Federation say a Fourth of July picnic is still a bargain. The group’s latest marketbasket survey shows a party for 10 people with all the Independence Day favorites, such as hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade …
AgFanatics Talk Planting Progress
Planting progress is on the minds of the AgFanatics. In episode #31, the AgFanatics talk with MaxYield Cooperative’s, Karl Setzer, to get his take on the markets and what he’s been witnessing in the northwest part of Iowa. Karl also shares his thoughts on corn planting progress in his area. Episode #32 features guest host Graham Utter discussing how his …