Extension Update
Extension Update is a weekly summary of news from Extension, government, and other attributable sources, focused on marketing, farm management, and other issues that are of interest to Midwestern farm owners and operators.Posted by Stu Ellis on 01/20 at 03:45 PM | (0) Comments | Permalink
Soybean Rust? Not Already!
We did not even make it through January and Asian Soybean Rust is in the headlines. Thanks to a mild winter, and its ability to overwinter on kudzu, soybean rust has been thriving in parts of Florida, and now it has been confirmed in Central Alabama. Usually, kudzu would die back from frost, but because subfreezing temperatures have stayed north so far this winter kudzu and the little rustlers are realities. While this topic would have been better saved for later in the 2006 growing season, your demand for information has created the need to keep you posted on the latest Rust Report.Posted by Stu Ellis on 01/19 at 07:24 PM | (1) Comments | Permalink
Refine Your Marketing Plan: Part 2 (Soybeans)
USDA closed the books last week on the 2005 corn and soybean crop, and provided its first look at consumption. The Final Crop Report and the December Grain Stocks Report both contained price implications that will be difficult for farmers to integrate into their marketing plans. Yesterday three esteemed Extension marketing specialists provided their assessment for corn, and today we’ll ask them back for their analysis of soybeans.Posted by Stu Ellis on 01/18 at 04:30 PM | (3) Comments | Permalink
Refine Your Marketing Plan: Part 1 (Corn)
For triskaidekaphobes USDA’s Final 2005 Crop Report and December 1 Grain Stocks Report were a preview for Friday the 13th. Although the report indicated there were a lot of corn and beans on hand, grain traders were anticipating stocks and carryout would increase somewhat, just not as much as they did. The crop report had a lot of blog fodder, so we begin a 2-day chew on how Extension Marketing Specialists Darrel Good (University of Illinois), Chris Hurt (Purdue), and Bob Wisner (Iowa State) digest it. First up: Corn.Posted by Stu Ellis on 01/17 at 03:20 PM | (1) Comments | Permalink
We Need to Find a Home for a Lot of Soybeans
Over three billion bushels of US beans need a home. More than that will come from South America in a couple months, which will also need a home. And as you know the economic conditions for the “homeless” are rather dismal. Although an aberration in the market has recently allowed producers to enjoy $6 prices, those numbers are fading in the wake of market fundamentals the US Department of Agriculture reports are realities.Posted by Stu Ellis on 01/16 at 05:52 PM | (4) Comments | Permalink