CME Expands Daily Trading Hours To 22 Beginning May 20.
Since the development of futures contracts for buying and selling farm commodities began in 1848—there have been several significant changes at the Chicago Board of Trade. And one that was announced yesterday is among a handful with the greatest impact.
Posted by Stu Ellis on 05/01 at 11:28 PM | (1) Comments | Permalink
Planting And Crop Development Have Accelerated.
Farmers across the US nearly doubled the amount of corn planted in the last week, moving the marker up from 28% a week ago to 53% planted at the start of this week. Both are ahead of the 12% last year and the 27% five year average for the current week. Those are for the 18 states that produce 92% of the corn. However, when Cornbelt states are identified, the average drops back to 48% planted because the loss of KY (86%), NC (89%), and TN (93%) are dropped out. Nevertheless, progress toward a long growing season is still being made.
Posted by Stu Ellis on 05/01 at 01:03 AM | (0) Comments | Permalink
Cutting Costs Takes The Priority In Farm Bill Development
In the recent Senate Agriculture Committee action which resulted in the approval of a new Farm Bill proposal and referral to the full Senate for a floor vote, there were essentially no recorded comments about the cost of the five year legislation. That is rather remarkable. Hundreds of billions of dollars are being spent, and no one talks about the entire cost of the legislation.
Posted by Stu Ellis on 04/30 at 06:42 AM | (0) Comments | Permalink
Bone Up On ARC, It Could Be The Next Farm Program
After more than a year of lobbying, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved its version of the 2012 Farm Bill. While there is a long way to go, including Senate floor amendments and full Senate passage, and then passage of the House version of a Farm Bill, it would be beneficial to see what is pending in the Senate. After all, an eventual Conference Committee of House and Senate members will settle upon some of the contents in the Senate Committee’s effort.
Posted by Stu Ellis on 04/26 at 11:38 PM | (0) Comments | Permalink
Who Will Be The Next Manager Of Your Farm And Why?
Many farm families are wrestling with farm succession planning, which includes transfer of the farm assets and business to the next generation. The federal estate tax provisions have forced that to emergency status for many farming operations. But in addition to the farm assets and transferring that value is also transferring the management of the farming operation, which is a different question. Good farm managers and asset heirs are not always one in the same.
Posted by Stu Ellis on 04/26 at 12:19 AM | (0) Comments | Permalink