The worst outbreak in 16 years of the crop-devastating soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS) disease in Iowa is capturing the attention of the market but it is too early to determine the extent of losses. “It’s just starting to unfold; we work with a lot of grain elevators across Iowa and the Midwest. It is
Iowa Soy Crops Hit By Disease – for Aug. 26, 2010
Grains Boom With Hot Money
Low U. S. interest rates and the weak dollar are drawing more hot money into grain markets despite the weight of mammoth crops, setting up a potential repeat of last year’s boom and bust in that market. As index funds and other big investors pour cash into futures at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT),
Ethanol Mandate May Not Boost Corn
The Obama administration’s call March 10 for an increase in the amount of ethanol to be used in gasoline in the United States is a positive sign for corn growers but it probably will not boost seedings or corn prices this year. “It’s pretty good news for corn growers and will at least keep farmers
Cheaper feed prices on horizon
A surge in surplus U. S. corn supplies due to sluggish demand from an ailing ethanol sector and the economic turmoil portends weaker prices, but could provide some relief to the food and livestock industry. The U. S. Agriculture Department took traders and analysts by surprise Dec. 11 by reducing the amount of corn to
Grains lose allure to fund investors
The global economic turmoil that has cost banks billions of dollars in losses and slammed hedge funds has dimmed the appeal of grains as an asset class, with fundamentals for corn and wheat pointing to lower prices. Lately, supply and demand factors have been playing a greater role in determining grain prices than they did
Global glut of wheat seen pressuring prices
A global glut of wheat will weigh on wheat and corn prices while tighter stocks of soybeans should provide life to the soybean market, a CME Group panel of grains analysts said Nov. 10. “There is plenty of wheat around. The world estimate is more interesting and it shows ample supplies,” said Jack Scoville, analyst
USDA data snafu lends support, raises questions
“Having a wet planting season does create some difficulties in forecasting a lot of this information.” – Shawn McCambridge, Prudential Bache Commodities The U. S. government’s unprecedented correction of crop data on Oct. 28 gave some relief to grain markets battered by financial turmoil, but it may also have bruised the credibility of the U.
Ethanol no longer seen as big driver of food price
Heavy demand for corn from ethanol makers was seen as a key driver of corn futures to record highs in June, but since then the sharp decline of corn along with other commodities shows that belief was mistaken. Corn is down about 50 per cent from its record high in June, even as the amount
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
