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...

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%...

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...

Cargill’s Newly Expanded Soybean Processing Plant in Sidney, Ohio to Connect Local Farmers to Demand

Cargill has completed an expansion and modernization project at its integrated soybean crush and refined oils facility in Sidney, Ohio. The upgraded facility, which came online in September, will help Cargill better serve farmers and meet the growing demand for soy products across food, feed and renewable fuel markets.

The project nearly doubles the previous crush capacity at the facility, providing greater market opportunities for area farmers and feed customers through creating demand for soybeans and offering greater access to soybean meal and hulls...

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...