WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture just released its monthly World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate, which included the first estimate of the 2008-2009 corn crop, the National Corn Growers Association noted. USDA is projecting 86 million acres of corn will be planted this year, of which 78.8 million will be harvested. USDA also [...]

URBANA, Ill. — Assuming that the majority of the corn crop gets planted before the middle of May, prospects for a 2008 average U.S. yield at or above trend will be maintained, said a University of Illinois Extension marketing specialist. “The question is whether trend yield will be sufficient,” said Darrel Good. “An estimate of [...]

By Daryll Ray How long can this go on? How much higher will corn prices go? Those questions are of concern not only to corn farmers, but to producers of other crops, as well. In general, the price increase for other commodities followed that of corn as crops competed with each other for acreage as, [...]

April 28, corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were up nearly 23 cents, the soybeans were down 42 and a fraction, and the wheat futures were up more than 25 cents.

URBANA, Ill. — While the pace of the domestic soybean crush is slowing, the pace of exports and export sales of U.S. soybeans remains generally strong, said a University of Illinois Extension marketing specialist. “For the year, the USDA projects exports at 1.075 billion bushels, only 3.8 percent below the record shipments of last year,” [...]

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Calf prices will be highly influenced by volatile feed prices as well as bullish finished cattle prices, said a Purdue University Extension marketing specialist. “Much is riding on the size of grain, soybean and forage crops this spring and summer,” said Chris Hurt. “Eastern Corn Belt steer calf prices are expected [...]

WASHINGTON — While the declining value of the U.S. dollar is good news for U.S. exports in general, the weaker dollar is making U.S. grain exports to Asia more expensive by drying up the supply of empty containers headed back to Asia. For several years, strong U.S. imports of just about everything from Asia meant [...]

WASHINGTON — Highly volatile conditions have affected the cash and futures markets where farmers and ranchers sell their grains, oilseeds, cotton and livestock. Federal regulators must keep a close eye on the situation, engage as needed and be ready to consider reform measures, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. Stallman presented the [...]

BASEL, Switzerland — Syngenta recently said it will build a new biotech research and technology center in Beijing, China. Its focus will be on early-stage evaluation of genetic modification and native traits for key crops such as corn and soy, in the areas of yield improvement, drought resistance, disease control and biomass conversion for biofuels. [...]

Full-season corn hybrids are the best choice, even if planting is delayed.