Western Edition
 |
Click
here to see how DuPont can help you weather the storm.
|
|
|
March 17, 2009
|
A Penton Media Property
|
|
Click
here to see how Affinity® BroadSpec herbicide (with
TotalSol® soluble granules) controls broadleaf weeds in wheat,
barley, and fallow.
|
|
 |
 |
|
Market Reaction To USDA S&D Report
|
By Larry Stalcup
Wheat prices didn’t react as negatively to Friday’s
USDA Supply and Demand Report as some expected, even though it showed
wheat stocks higher at 712 million bushels, as well as higher imports
and lower domestic use and exports.
Chicago Board of Trade March futures ended Friday at $5.06/bu., down
about 8.6¢. May futures closed Friday at $5.18, down 6.6¢. Both
contracts were up sharply yesterday. Kansas City Board of Trade March
wheat closed at $5.70, down 4¢, with May futures also closing at $5.70,
down 6¢. The KC contracts were also higher yesterday. Minneapolis Grain
Exchange March wheat ended last week at $6.30, down 4.4¢, with May
closing at $6.09, down 8.4¢, with little changes yesterday.
The report showed that U.S. wheat ending stocks for 2008-2009 are
projected 57 million bushels higher this month. Imports are raised 10
million bushels reflecting the strong pace to date, says U.S. Wheat
Associates (USW). Food use is projected 25 million bushels lower.
For more on this story, click
here
|
|
|
|
|
The World's Glut Of Grain
|
By Kim Anderson, Oklahoma State University grain
marketing economist
 Until
the 2007-2008 wheat marketing year, wheat prices across the heart of the
High Plains area averaged about $3.50/bu. USDA predicts the future
average price of wheat will be above $5. The current glut of wheat and
corn and the upcoming wheat harvest could result in wheat prices well
below $5.
This time last year, U.S. wheat ending stocks were projected to be 272
million bushels, compared to 656 million bushels this year (2008-2009
increased to 712 million this month). World wheat ending stocks were
projected to be 4 billion bushels compared to 5.5 billion bushels this
year.
Wheat producers around the world reacted to historically high wheat
prices by increasing production. The result was one of the largest
year-to-year increases in ending stocks in history.
For more on this story, click
here
|
|
|
|
|
EU Slaps Import Fees On U.S. Biodiesel
|
The European Union (EU) has slapped import fees on U.S.
biodiesel, saying it had to protect European producers from unfair
American subsidies and below-cost selling, reports The Associated
Press. The EU fees will affect biodiesel sold by Archer Daniels
Midland Co., Cargill Inc. and several others to Europe, the world's
biggest user and producer of crop-based fuels.
EU trade spokesman Lutz Guellner says the fees were based on "clear
evidence that unfair subsidization and dumping of U.S. biodiesel has
taken place and that this is harming otherwise competitive EU industry
with potentially dire long-term effects."
|
|
|
|
|
Despite Economic Slowdown, Higher Commodity Prices
Projected Long Term
|
 After
dramatic increases in the prices of most commodities in the last three
years, prices will retreat in 2009-2010. But growing demand for food,
feed and fuel is expected to return them to historically high levels
over the rest of the decade. That analysis is from the Food and
Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI), whose analysts briefed
Congress this month on their 2009 agricultural economic baseline
projections.
A widespread economic slowdown in 2009 weakens demand for agricultural
commodities and, coupled with the high carryover supply from the last
two years of high prices, depresses commodity prices in the short run,
says FAPRI. However, world population growth, recovery in income growth
and bioenergy mandates drive prices back to their historic highs over
the rest of the decade.
The recent market turbulence in the advanced economies spreads and slows
world economic expansion in 2009. However, recovery is projected in
2010, with long-term real growth in world gross domestic product of 3.5%
reached by 2011. A bright spot in the outlook is that after the
recovery, China, Vietnam and India still post solid growth of 8.6, 7.7
and 7.5%, respectively.
To read the full story, click
here
|
|
|
|
advertisement |
|
Click
here to put more teeth in your weed control program.
|
|
|
|
|
Texas Wheat, Other Commodities Face Nearly $1 Billion
In Drought Caused Losses
|
Despite recent Texas rains, farmers and ranchers still
feel effects of the lingering drought that is costing Texas agriculture
nearly $1 billion, says the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
“Texas farmers and ranchers are the most resilient bunch I have ever
seen,” says Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples. “And while
we are all grateful for recent much-needed rain, the fact remains –
Texas producers have been hit hard with a triple threat starting with
Hurricane Ike last fall, then with our nation’s current economic
calamity and now with one of the worst droughts our state has seen in
years. Most areas of the state will need some consistent rains to
officially end the drought.”
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 100% of Texas counties are
suffering from drought conditions. And 40% of the state is classified as
extreme or exceptional – the two worst categories. According to
AgriLife’s report, the current drought has already cost segments of
the Texas agriculture industry $829 million.
More than half of the wheat crop is rated as being in poor to very poor
condition, but there is still time for potential recovery. The drought
has also made it difficult for Texas farmers to plant crops for 2009. If
Texas receives substantial precipitation, the growing season could be
saved.
For more information, go to www.TexasAgriculture.gov.
|
|
|
|
|
Trading Carbon Credits Worth Examining
|
Farmers and landowners could receive extra income from
already-existing land management practices by selling carbon credits on
the Chicago Climate Exchange says Lenny Farlee, a Purdue University
expert.
“Farmers and landowners have an opportunity to sell carbon offset
credits into carbon trading markets if they implement certain
conservation practices,” says Farlee, Purdue Extension forester.
“Eligible practices include no-till farming, if implemented between
2006 and 2010; grassland plantings that have been done since 1999, as
well as forest tree plantings done since 1990.”
For more on this story, click
here
Source: Purdue University
|
|
|
|
advertisement |
|
Click here
to see how DuPont can help you weather the storm.
|
|
|
|
Though confronted by numerous challenges, America’s
young farmers and ranchers express a high level of optimism about
agriculture and say they are better off than they were five years ago.
Those are the general findings of the American Farm Bureau
Federation’s 17th annual survey of young farmers and ranchers.
The young farmers, ages 18-35, say the availability of land and
facilities, overall profitability and economic challenges continue to
rank as their top concerns. However, reflecting a high degree of
economic improvement, 89% of the respondents say they are better off
than they were five years ago. The survey was conducted during the Farm
Bureau 2009 Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in February.
For more, click
here
Source: Farm Bureau.
|
|
|
|
|
Online Calculator Helps Growers Analyze Natural
Resource Use, Sustainability
|
Farmers can analyze their natural resource use and key
wheat, corn and soybean (and other crops) production inputs using a new
online tool Field to Market, The Keystone Alliance for Sustainable
Agriculture.
The Fieldprint Calculator is a free, confidential online tool. It was
developed with input from a diverse group of grower organizations,
agribusinesses, food companies, economists and conservation groups to
help farmers evaluate natural resource use on their operation compared
to industry averages. These measures could help improve production
efficiencies and profit potential.
The calculator is available at www.fieldtomarket.org for grower
testing and feedback.
For more on this story, click
here
|
|
|
|
|
Companies Eye Next Generation Biofuel
|
Royal Dutch Shell and Codexis, Inc. have an expanded
agreement to develop better biocatalysts that could accelerate
commercialisation of next generation biofuels made from wheat straw an
other materials. As part of the agreement, Codexis will work closely
with Shell and Iogen Energy Corporation to enhance the efficiency of
biocatalysts used in the Iogen cellulosic ethanol production process.
The world-leading Iogen demonstration plant in Ottawa, Canada currently
produces hundreds of thousands of liters of cellulosic ethanol from
agricultural residue, such as wheat straw. The research program aims to
enhance the Iogen process and shorten the timeline to its full-scale
commercial deployment.
Source: Soyatech
|
|
|
|
|
Farmer Premiums For Hard White Wheat
|
Grain-based food products launched in recent years have
included flour from hard white wheat varieties, known to produce a
texture and taste of white wheat with a nutritious profile similar to
whole grain. And growers can likely earn a 10% premium growing it.
"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the usage for retail
products is going up and continues to go up," says Kent Symns, president
of Farmer Direct Foods, a cooperative based in Atchison, KS.
However, acreage for white wheat appears stagnant. White wheat varieties
are grown in California, Idaho, Kansas and Montana, according to the
Kansas Wheat Commission. Hard white varieties accounted for 1% of the
state’s seeded wheat acreage, down from 3.9% in 2005.
"White wheat continues to struggle because of our grain industry’s
reluctance to accept change," says Symns. "Acreage is going down some
from what it was a couple years ago. Farmers are wary about planting it.
Many elevators say they don’t want it, or don’t want to receive it
at harvest time."
This year’s efforts to grow hard white varieties were going better
than last year’s efforts, when high commodity prices allowed farmers
to profit while sticking with other wheat varieties. This year growers
may receive about a 10% premium for hard white wheat.
Source: BakingBusiness.com
|
|
|
|
|
Growers, What New Creations Are You Using?
|
Dear Corn & Soybean Digest reader – Soils are
thawing, winds are warming and seed is being delivered. All signs that
it’s soon time to get out into those fields and start the 2009
planting season. What new creations will you be using in your spring
fieldwork? Did you modify anything over the winter months? Build a new
implement in the warm shop while the temps fell outside? Corn &
Soybean Digest wants to know!
When it’s time to get out to the field with your newest project,
we’d like to be right there with you to see what new or different
ideas took shape with the torch and welder through the winter. If you or
someone you know has built or modified machinery, we’d like to hear
from you. No idea is too big or too small. We’re interested in
machinery that’s been built from scratch, or several pieces of
equipment that have been torn down and re-assembled as a single unit, or
simple modifications to existing equipment.
It’s always interesting to see anhydrous applicators, planters,
sprayers and tillage tools that farmers have constructed to help them
farm better, bigger or more efficiently. Also, we’re interested in any
cost-cutting ideas that you’ve been doing to stay profitable. For
example, have you been involved in any machinery sharing ventures, group
input buying clubs, etc.? We can’t promise that we’ll get to every
farm, but we promise to try. If you have an idea you’d like to share,
please send an e-mail to CSD@csdigest.com or call Managing
Editor Susan Winsor at 952-851-4662, or click below to enter your
project. We will be in touch.
Tell us about your creation! <insidepenton.com/research/sg/csd09shopproject.htm>
Thanks for your help,
The Editors
|
|
|
|
Go to www.agribizjobs.com/home/
and view some great opportunities for job seekers and ag companies
looking for good employees. The site, part of Penton Media’s Ag Group,
of which Corn & Soybean Digest and Farm Press are members, has a
targeted online career center. Agribizjobs.com offers industry
employers a growing, qualified audience of ag professionals and industry
job seekers with agribusiness-specific categorized job listings. It’s
a joint effort by Corn & Soybean Digest, Farm Press and sister
publications, BEEF, Farm Industry News, Hay & Forage Grower and
National Hog Farmer.
At www.agribizjobs.com/home/
employers can view complete but anonymous resumes for free, and pay only
to connect with a job seeker. Job seekers can post resumes in
ag-specific employment categories and sign up to receive e-mail alerts
when new positions are posted that match their search
criteria.
|
|
|
|
|
Take Part In Corn & Soybean Digest
Poll
|
Remember to cast your ballot in the latest Corn &
Soybean Digest (CSD) quick poll. The most recently posted question
is: What is your machinery+labor cost/acre? (This survey is
anonymous.)
Cast your vote on CSD's home page at: cornandsoybeandigest.com/.
(The poll question is just to the right of the “What’s New” top
section of the Web site.)
|
|
|
|
|
What Topics Would You Like To See Covered In
eWheat?
|
Thanks again for reading eWheat. Your time is
valuable and we want to make sure this new newsletter provides the
information you want as a wheat producer. We will continue to look at
domestic and world marketing trends, farm policy, research into disease,
insect and weed prevention, grain quality and yields and other issues
facing growers nationwide.
Please feel free to drop your eWheat editor Larry Stalcup a note
at beef2lar@suddenlink.net.
Let us know what topics you’d like to see in the coming weeks and
months or what we can do to better serve you.
|
|
|
|
|
You are subscribed to this newsletter as #email#
To unsubscribe from this newsletter go to: Unsubscribe
To subscribe to this newsletter, go to: Subscribe
To get this newsletter in a different format (Text or HTML),
or to change your e-mail address, please visit your profile
page to change your delivery preferences.
For questions concerning delivery of this newsletter, please contact our
Customer Service Department at:
Customer Service Department
A Penton Media publication
US Toll Free: 866-505-7173
International: 847-763-9504
Email:cornandsoybeandigest@pbinews.com
Penton Media | 249 W. 17th Street | New York, NY 10011
Copyright 2009,Penton Media. All rights reserved. This article is
protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property
laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated,
transmitted,
displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any medium
without the prior written permission of Penton Media.
|
|