Benson Hill Announces Closing of Acquisition of Soy Crushing Facility Assets 

Benson Hill, Inc., a food technology company unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants with its cutting-edge food innovation engine announced the closing today of its acquisition of a soybean crushing facility in Seymour, Indiana.

This investment, announced on September 13, 2021, will further solidify the Company’s position in the value chain to support production of a robust portfolio of proprietary, non-GMO, identity...

Urner Barry Releases September Soy & Wheat Report

According to the latest USDA WASDE, the outlook for 2021/22 U.S. wheat this September is for reduced supplies and slightly higher domestic use with decreased imports. Projected 2021/22 ending stocks were reduced 12 million bushels to 615 million and are 27% below last year, the lowest in eight years. Also, the projected 2021/22 season-average farm price is lowered $0.10/bu to $6.60/bu on reported NASS prices to date and price expectations for the remainder of the crop season.

Globally, wheat supplies are projected to increase by 7.1 million tons for a total of 1,072.8 million. This increase is due to a combination of larger beginning stocks for Canada, the European Union, and India, with higher production for...

Benson Hill to Acquire Soy Crushing Facility to Scale Production of Soybean Ingredient Portfolio

Benson Hill, Inc. a food tech company unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants with its cutting-edge food innovation engine, today announced the expansion of its ingredients infrastructure by entering into a definitive agreement to purchase a soybean crushing facility from Seymour, Indiana-based Rose Acre Farms. This investment represents a significant milestone in the execution of the Company's growth plan, and will be funded through the expansion of Benson Hill's debt facility with Western Technology Investment.

Benson Hill's integrated supply chain strategy combines improved...

Urner Barry Releases August Soy & Wheat Report 

Within North America, the bulk of soybean production occurs in the plains regions of the Midwest. The top soy producing states are Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota, respectively. Kansas overwhelmingly leads nationally in all wheat production, followed by North Dakota and Montana.

According to the latest USDA WASDE, the outlook for 2021/22 U.S. wheat this August is for reduced supplies and lower domestic use with unchanged exports and...

Study Shows How Corn and Soybean Producers Benefit from U.S. Red Meat Exports

U.S. beef and pork exports brought critical returns to the corn and soybean industries in 2020, according to an independent study conducted by World Perspectives, Inc. and released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). According to the study, U.S. beef and pork exports added 41 cents per bushel to the value of corn and $1.06 per bushel to soybeans in 2020.

“As the study indicates, my farm gains from red meat exports in the price of every acre of crops that we grow,” says...

Urner Barry Releases July Soy & Wheat Protein Report

Average all-wheat prices increased $0.42/bu from April while average soybean prices increased as well by $0.90/bu. July front month futures decreased from May’s rates. CBOT wheat front month futures reached $6.28/bu in July, a decrease of $0.39 from June. Also, CBOT soybeans totaled...

Urner Barry Releases June Soy & Wheat Protein Report

Average all-wheat prices increased $0.18/bu from March while average soybean prices increased as well by $0.70/bu. June front
month futures decreased from May’s rates. CBOT wheat front month futures reached $6.83/bu in June, a slight decrease of $0.27
from May. Also, CBOT soybeans totaled $15.47/bu in June, representing a decline of $0.25/bu from the month prior...

PLANT PROTEIN: Get to Know Players in the Plant Protein Market: Before the Butcher

“I don’t perceive things as being hard, I see them as being a challenge that I can overcome,” says Danny O’Malley, founder and CEO of Before the Butcher, a plant-based 2017 startup out of California.

Today, the company’s extensive lineup of plant-based grounds, burgers, chunks, tips, and shreds are a slam dunk with consumers, but Before the Butcher is just getting started.

From the jump, Danny O’Malley knew he wanted the products he produced to be delicious, nutritious, non-GMO, gluten-free, and accessibly priced. In less than half a year... 

Urner Barry Releases May Soy & Wheat Protein Report

In March, farmers experienced a decline in prices for their soybean and all-wheat crops. Average all-wheat prices decreased $0.97/bu from February while average soybean prices declined $4.23/bu. May front month futures increased from April’s rates. CBOT wheat front month futures reached...

ADM to Build New Soy Crushing Facility in North Dakota

ADM announced its plan to build North Dakota’s first-ever dedicated soybean crushing plant and refinery to meet fast-growing demand from food, feed, industrial and biofuel customers, including producers of renewable diesel.

Based in Spiritwood, ND, the approximately $350 million crush and refining complex will feature state-of-the-art automation technology and have the capacity to process 150,000 bushels of soybeans per day. Strategically located in a major soybean producing area, ADM’s global logistics network will enable the facility to access...

Low Parana River Level 'Trims' Argentine Farm Exports

Argentina's Parana River, the grains superhighway that takes soy and corn from the Pampas farm belt to the world, has gotten so shallow that it has started "trimming" international shipments just as the country's export season gets underway.

The level of the Parana at the export hub of Rosario, home to some of the biggest soy crushing plants in the world, was a scant 0.90 meters on Wednesday, according to the Coast Guard.

Between 1996 and 2020 the median depth of the river at Rosario in April was a much deeper...

Urner Barry Releases April Soy & Wheat Protein Report

In February, farmers experienced another consecutive month of increased prices for their soybean and all-wheat crops. Average all wheat prices rose $0.35/bu from January while average soybean prices rose $1.80/bu. April front month futures are mixed, with a reduction for CBOT wheat from February rates. CBOT wheat front month futures reached $6.15/bu in April, a decline of $0.21/bu from March. Meanwhile, CBOT soybeans remained steady from February rates, totaling...

CME Grain Markets Surge Following Friendly USDA Reports

Grain markets on the CME surged Wednesday following a wave of bullish USDA data in the latest Prospective Plantings and Grain Stocks reports. 

The annual Prospective Plantings report estimated corn planted area for all purposes in 2021 at 91.1 million acres, up less than 1 percent from 2020 and below the average of analysts’ expectations. Meanwhile, soybean planted area for 2021 was estimated at 87.6 million acres, up 5% from last year but below the average trade estimate at around 90.1 million acres. 

The quarterly Grain Stocks Report showed corn stocks at 7.70 billion bushels, down 3% from last year. Soybeans stored in all positions on March 1, 2021 totaled 1.56 billion bushels...

Get to Know Players in the Plant Protein Market: PURIS

As part of a new monthly series of Urner Barry plant protein reports an end of the month company profile will be released to showcase players in the plant protein market. Profiles may represent suppliers, consumer food product brands, or firms involved at other levels of the plant protein supply chain.

To date, we have covered several brands powering ahead within the ingredient and consumer product realm but have yet to dig to the roots, almost literally, and mention a firm dedicated to improving quality plant protein sources from field to plate. PURIS, a vertically integrated breeder and provider of premium seeds and further processed plant protein ingredients seeks to...

Urner Barry Releases March Soy & Wheat Protein Report

In January 2021 farmers experienced yet another consecutive month of increased prices for their soybean and all-wheat crops. Average all wheat prices rose $0.05/bu from December while average soybean prices rose $0.40/bu. March front month futures, have remained fairly steady with a slight reduction for CBOT wheat and slight increased for CBOT soybeans from February rates- preserving strength from diminishing global stocks and increased export pressures. In the February oil crops outlook report, the USDA raised its forecasts of 20/2021 soybean export expectations by...

Food Price Surge is Unlikely to Revert

Agricultural commodity prices have surged almost 50% since mid-2020, causing concerns over food price inflation around the world and sometimes resulting in increased export taxes and quotas by producers at a time when importing countries want to import more.

Rabobank can identify four major factors driving the surge across agri commodities that will remain active in 2021: 1) US dollar weakness: Rabobank forecasts the US dollar to remain soft through 2021 (US dollar index -7% lower since mid-2020), but no further weakness is expected. 2) Weather: La Niña could extend into the US spring planting season. 3) Global demand: Good global demand (either for animal feed or storage) to continue through...

Urner Barry Releases February Soy & Wheat Protein Report

In December 2020 farmers experienced yet another consecutive month of increased prices for their soybean and all-wheat crops. Average all wheat prices rose $0.19/bu from November while average soybean prices rose a similar $0.20/bu. February front month futures, on the other hand, took a marginal dip from...

Bell & Evans to Transition 50,000 U.S. Acres to Certified Organic with Cargill, Rodale Institute

U.S. grain farmers have a new incentive to transition from conventional to organic practices, and Bell & Evans banks on many making the change.

Premium poultry producer Bell & Evans is experiencing significant growth in its organic chicken program, increasing its need for U.S. grown organic-certified corn and soybeans used in its organic chicken feed. The family-owned producer finalized a long-term sourcing agreement with global ag leader Cargill to exclusively secure its organic grain and increase domestic organic grain supply. Under the agreement, Cargill will incentivize...

Grains Supply to Argentine Export Hub Normalizing After Truckers Strike

Delivery of grains and oilseeds to Argentine export hub Rosario was slowly returning to normal on Monday after a week of protests by truckers who blocked roads leading from the farm belt to port, two industry sources told Reuters.

Drivers are demanding a review of their costs, including tolls, insurance rates, taxes and fuel prices.

They were scheduled to meet with Sergio Massa, president of the lower House of Congress, to discuss their demands while the government news site Telam reported a delay in a proposed fuel tax increase. Both gestures appeared to help calm tensions, although...

USDA Offers Additional Assistance for Certain Producers Through Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide additional assistance through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), expanding eligibility for some agricultural producers and commodities as well as updating payments to accurately compensate some producers who already applied for the program. Producers who are now eligible and those who need to modify existing applications due to these updates can contact USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) between Jan. 19 and Feb. 26. Some of these changes are being made to align with the recently enacted Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 while others are discretionary changes being made in response to ongoing evaluation of CFAP.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has left a deep impact on the farm economy, and we are utilizing the tools and monies available to ease some of the financial burdens on American producers to ensure...

Urner Barry Releases January Soy and Wheat Protein Report

Following initially dismal reports on wheat consumption, the USDA recently lifted global wheat consumption estimations by 5.1 million tons to 757.8 million tons based on higher demand for feed in China. Driven by a recovering pork market, China poses a strong demand side pull on...

FDA Warns Whole Foods Market After Repeated Food Recalls for Undeclared Allergens

Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a warning letter issued to Whole Foods Market for a pattern of receiving and offering for sale misbranded food products necessitating a series of food recalls for allergens. In the last year, Whole Foods Market has recalled more than 30 food products because the presence of major food allergens was not listed on the finished product labels. The FDA noticed similar patterns of numerous recalls by Whole Foods Market for undeclared allergens in previous years as well. These products included...

Urner Barry Releases First Soy and Wheat Protein Report

Demand for Vital Wheat Gluten (VWG), a primarily functional ingredient used to strengthen bakery items, hamburger and hotdog buns, and as a key component in vegetarian seitan, has remained relatively stable. Primarily a byproduct of ethanol production in the generation of European energy, VWG has minimal effect on price and demand dynamics of raw wheat....

PODCAST: An Economic Point of View - Will Sawyer of CoBank

This week on Market Digest Laura speaks with CoBank Lead Protein Industry Analyst, Will Sawyer. Will brings his expertise to the plate as they discuss holiday demand for protein items, protein supply, the beef complex, corn and soy inflation, and...

Lightlife Strengthens Walmart Partnership by Expanding Tempeh to 3,500 Stores 

Greenleaf Foods, SPC announced a significant retail expansion of its Lightlife brand Tempeh—a versatile, high-protein, naturally-fermented food that appeals to plant-based and meat eaters alike. Lightlife Tempeh is now available in more than 3,500 Walmart locations nationwide—a more than ten-fold growth from its previous 300 stores—bringing the product’s retail distribution to over 18,500 retail locations. Lightlife is the market leader in tempeh, having grown at a rate of 44% in 2020 alone.

“Lightlife Tempeh accounted for about 80% of total U.S. tempeh dollar sales so far this year,” said Dan Curtin, president of Greenleaf Foods, SPC. “We are excited to grow our partnership with...

Tyson Foods Announces Global Forest Protection Standard

Tyson Foods, Inc. announced a Forest Protection Standard focused on reducing deforestation risk in its global supply chain of four commodities – cattle and beef; soy; palm oil; and pulp, paper and packaging.

Earlier this year, Tyson Foods partnered with Proforest to conduct a deforestation risk assessment. The assessment concluded that nearly 94 percent of the company’s land footprint is at no to low risk of being associated with deforestation. To proactively address the remaining six percent that was found to be...

Delaying Commoditization of Plant Proteins 

One of the leading hurdles in maintaining and growing an agri-food business is that farmers and processors are inherently limited in their ability to differentiate food items purchased by the consumer. If someone presented you with two glasses of milk from completely different farms your ability to separate the two by taste, smell, or visual perceptions is generally quite limited. When producers sell homogeneous products like fluid milk, corn, or soybeans these products become categorized as commodities where market shifts affect all sellers irrespective of farm level operations. For this reason, producers of commodity goods must accept downstream prices which often offer extremely tight or “non-existent” margins. Therefore, the incentive to differentiate or de-commoditize products to...

USTR and USDA Release Report on Agricultural Trade Between the United States and China

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a report highlighting the progress made to date in implementing the agricultural provisions in the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement, which is delivering historic results for American agriculture.

Since the Agreement entered into force, the United States and China have addressed a multitude of structural barriers in China that had been impeding exports of U.S. food and agricultural products. To date, China has implemented at least...

Soy Protein: An Introduction and Import Assessment

If you are like a growing number of shoppers across the globe, checking the ingredients label on the back of food items has become instinctual. One such ingredient, soybeans and further processed soybean powders (like flours, concentrates, and isolates), have garnered increased media attention partly associated with its use in a growing number of novel, plant-based products. Generally, goods containing soy are considered either “traditional soyfoods” which use whole soybeans in the creation of more obvious items like soy milks, tofu, and soy sauces or “formulated foods” which contain concentrated forms of soy protein in products including comminuted meats, protein bars, soups, cereals, frozen desserts, and meat analogues.

Like peas and lentils, the soybean (Glycine max) is a species of legume plant and has numerous invaluable production applications. Most widely grown in...