ADM and Farmers Business Network(R) Launch Gradable Joint Venture 

ADM and Farmers Business Network(R) Launch Gradable Joint Venture to Accelerate Adoption of Regenerative and Sustainable Ag Practices

Expansion of the technology platform will support farmers and buyers in meeting rising demand for sustainable farm products

Farmers Business Network and ADM today announced that they have launched a joint venture, Gradable, creating a new company to expand the Gradable technology platform and enable more farmers and buyers to confidently pursue and derive value from grain produced using sustainable and regenerative practices.

First introduced in 2020, the Gradable platform tracks...

Explosion Affects Operations of House of Raeford’s Biggest Feed Mill

A feed facility in Rose Hill, North Carolina belonging to poultry integrator House of Raeford Farms suffered an explosion earlier this week. Local broadcaster WCTI reported the incident resulted in no injuries.

The plant is now unable to grind corn as a result of the damage to its hammer mills. A spokesperson for the company said that it is too early to say when the hammer mills will be back online, as it is awaiting assessment of the damage by a structural engineer.

In normal times, the facility produces... 

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep 10 - Bird Flu: The Saga Continues

Corn Planting Progress Slightly Outpacing Average Rate

In the USDA’s latest Crop Progress report, corn plantings as of Sunday, April 7 were 3% underway across the 18 primary production states. This is slightly behind the 5-year average rate of 2%. 

Seven states now report planting progress, up from six the previous week. North Carolina and Missouri/Tennessee showed the most week-over-week progress, jumping 8 and 5 percentage points, respectively. 

States failing to get on the board include Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Corn futures were down 1 to 2 cents...

Initial Progress Reports Show Corn Plantings 2% Underway

Corn plantings for the week ending March 31 were 2% underway when averaging the 18 primary corn production states. This is slightly above the 5-year average by this time last year and is even with this week last year.

Texas is ahead of schedule, with 57% of its corn crop in the ground, compared to the 5-year average of 53%.

Plantings in Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee are each 2% underway. Meanwhile, 12 of the 18 primary production states have reported zero progress in plantings so far this year...

Green Plains Demo Plant Opens, Bringing Online Additional Protein Ingredients Capacity

Commissioning has begun on Green Plains Inc’s new corn processing plant producing ‘‘ultra-high protein feed ingredients’’ (50% protein) as well as corn oil and biofuel inputs in York, Nebraska.

The plant in question is a demonstration facility combining Fluid Quip Technologies’ precision separation and processing technology (MSC™) with Shell Fiber Conversion Technology (SFCT), integrating fermentation, mechanical separation, and fibre conversation into one platform.

In 2021, Green Plains acquired a majority stake in Fluid Quip Technologies, whose technology allows corn processors to produce an alternative protein ingredient for...

ANALYSIS: Shifting Market Dynamics Alter Trend Between Cattle and Corn Prices

Cash corn and cattle prices followed a comparable track over the past ten years. However, that tandem trend began to change starting in 2022 due to significant shifts in market dynamics for both commodities.

Omaha, US No 2 Yellow Corn prices peaked at $8.43 per bushel in June 2022, closely challenging the record hit in 2012. The rise in corn prices that year was driven in part by supply disruptions created by the Russia-Ukraine war, as Ukraine is a major supplier of grains to the world markets...

CME Grain Futures Pressured by Improved Moisture in Brazil

CME soybean futures began the new year at multi-month lows, pressured by improved moisture in Brazil and extended forecasts for additional rainfall. 

The March soybeans contract slipped to the lowest level since June 30 and ended with a 24 ½ cents decline at $12.73 per bushel. 

Brazil is the world’s leading producer of soybeans, followed by the United States and Argentina. The planting season in Brazil occurs from October through December, with harvest taking place in March through May...

Corn Harvest Nears Completion in Latest Crop Progress Report

In the latest Crop Progress report, the USDA shows 93% of corn is now harvested, up from 88% the week prior and ahead of the 5-year average figure by two percentage points. Kansas, North Carolina, and Texas are reporting 100% harvest completion. 

Winter wheat plantings are nearing completion as well, with 95% of the crop in the ground as of Sunday, November 19. 87% of winter wheat has emerged and 83% is rated in fair to excellent condition overall.

Nearby corn futures contracts are 2 to 2 ½ cents higher...

Corn Harvest 88%, Soybeans 95% Complete in Latest Crop Progress Report

In the latest Crop Progress report, the USDA shows 88% of corn is now harvested, up from 81% the week prior and two percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. 

Nearby corn futures contracts are fractionally higher in early Tuesday trading following yesterday's rally. December corn was last trading nearly flat at $4.77 ½ per bushel. 

The soybean harvest is nearly complete at 95%, up from the previous week's figure of 91%. The five-year average rate is also 91%...

PERDUE® Enters the Snack Category with Chix Mix

For the first time ever, PERDUE®, the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., announced the launch of Chix Mix, a limited-edition snack food inspired by the high-quality, all-vegetarian diet that the company feeds its chickens. Featuring a delicious mix of corn, wheat and edamame, Chix Mix is made from most of the same ingredients that go into the company’s chicken feed. Plus, we added a dash of tasty BBQ spices just for humans.

“Over the last 20 years, Perdue has worked diligently to achieve...

Corn Harvest Up to 81% Complete, Soybeans Near Completion

The corn harvest has reached 81% completion as of Sunday, November 5. This compares to the 5-year average of 77% at this time.

Most of the corn harvest typically wraps up in late November, though some states harvest well into December.

December corn is currently trading at $4.74 ¼ per bushel, down 3 cents. Traders and industry participants await Thursday’s USDA WASDE report, scheduled for release at 12:00 pm EST.

The soybean harvest is 5 points ahead of the 5-year average rate at 91% completion. Louisiana reports...

Where Are Commodities Prices Headed?

Individuals investing in commodities haven't had a smooth ride over the past few years.

U.S. crude-oil futures briefly turned negative during the height of the pandemic in 2020 before rebounding to more than $82 a barrel recently. World food prices reached their highest level on record last year, in part as the Russia-Ukraine war spooked markets, but have fallen back more recently. And commodities from lumber to copper rode high and then fell, as global inflationary pressures and recession concerns drove trading.

So what happens next...

Latest Crop Progress Shows Corn Harvest 71%, Soybeans 85% Complete

In the latest Crop Progress report, the USDA shows 71% of corn is now harvested, up from 59% the week prior and surpassing the 5-year average figure by five percentage points. 

Nearby corn futures contracts are fractionally higher in early Tuesday trading.

85% of the soybean harvest is complete, up from the previous week's figure of 76%. This is two points behind year-ago progress but is seven points ahead of the 5-year average.

January soybeans were last trading 3 ½ cents higher at $13.11 a bushel...

Corn Harvest Up to 59% in Latest Crop Progress Report

The corn harvest as of Sunday, October 22^nd, was up to 59% completion, according to the latest USDA survey. This figure is on par with year-ago progress and is ahead of the 5-year average by five points. Corn in the mature stage has reached completion.

Nearby corn futures were last trading 3 cents lower per bushel.

76% of soybeans have been harvested so far this season, up from 62% the week prior. This figure exceeds the 5-year average by 9 points but is behind the year-ago figure...

CME Grain Futures Surge Amid Extreme Drought in Brazil, Pressuring Feeders Lower

Feeder cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange plummeted to multi-month floors on Thursday, pressuring live cattle futures lower as well. 

Most active January feeders touched their lowest level since June 28 and finished $5.525 lower at $245.375 per cwt. December live cattle hit a one-week floor and settled down $1.90 to $185.30 per cwt. Yesterday's sell-off lowered feeder futures into oversold territory. 

A sharp rise in corn futures contributed to the downturn in feeders. December corn surged to the highest level since August and finished 13 cents higher at $5.05 a bushel...

Soybean Harvest Progressing at Rapid Pace in Latest Crop Progress Report

The corn harvest as of Sunday, October 15^th, was up to 45% completion, according to the latest USDA survey. This figure outpaces 2022 progress by two points and is three points ahead of the 5-year average.

Corn in the mature stage is nearing completion at 95%. The condition of the corn crop was nearly unchanged from the previous week, with 29% rated fair, 43% good, and 10% excellent.

Nearby corn futures are trading 1 to 1 ¾ cents lower so far this morning...

Corn and Soybean Harvests Both Up to 23% in Latest Crop Progress Report

Corn mature was up to 82% in the latest Crop Progress report, up from 70% the previous week and 7 points ahead of the 5-year average rate.

The corn harvest is up to 23% completion as of Sunday, October 1st. This is ahead of 2022 progress at this time as well as the 5-year average rate of 21%.

States leading the corn harvest include North Carolina with 86% of their harvest completed, Texas with 78%, and Tennessee with 58%...

The condition of the 2023 corn...

Corn and Soybean Harvests Remain Ahead of 5-Year Avg

The corn harvest in the 18 major producing states made further progress last week and remains ahead of a year ago and the five-year average.

The same can be said about the soybean harvest. It is early in the harvest season and farmers may face weather-related delays that could slow their progress versus historic levels in the weeks ahead. 

USDA data released Monday showed corn harvest in the top 18 producing states as of Sunday at 15%, up from 9% the previous week and above 11%...

Corn Harvest Slightly Outpacing Year-Ago and 5-Year Avg

Corn harvest in the 18 major producing states made further progress last week and is slightly outpacing a year ago and the five-year average.

The soybean harvest is one point ahead of the five-year average. However, it is early on in the harvest season and weather-related delays could slow farmers’ progress versus historic levels in the weeks ahead.

USDA data released Monday showed corn harvest in the top 18 producing states as of Sunday, September 17 at 9%, up from 5% the previous week and 7%...

The 2023 Corn Harvest Is Officially Underway

The week ending September 10^th marked the first week of measurable corn harvest in the United States for 2023.

The USDA reports that 5 percent of this year’s corn crop has been harvested so far, which is on par with a year ago at this time and one point ahead of the 5-year average. Texas reports 62 percent of its corn crop has been harvested, while North Carolina has harvested 49 percent. Seven of the 18 primary corn-producing states have yet to begin their harvest activities...