Chicago | Reuters — Grains trader Cargill on Thursday reported a 20 per cent drop in its fiscal second-quarter 2019 net earnings, as global trade tensions hit the bottom line along with challenges in the Chinese hog sector and a struggling U.S. dairy business. Three of the company’s four business units reported results that were […] Read more
Cargill’s net earnings down as trade fight bites
U.S. grains: Soybeans drop as export sales to China disappoint
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures dropped to two-week lows on Wednesday as renewed export sales to China following a trade war truce between Washington and Beijing fell short of expectations. Corn futures also declined on a slowdown in production of corn-based ethanol, while wheat dropped nearly two per cent in light trading, pressured […] Read more
U.S. ethanol producers seek reforms as markets plunge, ADM sells
New York/Chicago | Reuters — U.S. ethanol producers stung by collapsing prices are seeking changes to the way benchmark values for the biofuel are established, arguing the current system used by exchanges is vulnerable to manipulation, according to sources. The push comes as the key farm belt industry struggles with weak demand growth, a loss […] Read more
U.S. EPA lifts 2019 biofuels mandate
Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday lifted its annual blending mandate for advanced biofuels, drawing praise from the U.S. biofuels industry, but disappointment that the government had not done more to protect the agricultural market. Under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard, oil refiners must blend increasing amounts of biofuels into […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, wheat follow broad commodities weakness
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures fell more than one per cent on Tuesday, following broad declines in commodities led by sagging crude oil futures, analysts said. Wheat futures fell about two per cent, retreating after Monday’s short-covering rally, and soybeans were also lower. Chicago Board of Trade December corn settled down 4-3/4 cents […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans firm on fund-driven buying
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures firmed modestly on Wednesday in largely technical trade along with fund-driven buying and strength in allied soymeal futures, analysts said. Corn futures declined and wheat fell on technical selling. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) November soybean futures settled up one cent at $8.85-3/4 per bushel but stayed below […] Read more
Expanding E15 sales would have limited U.S. market impact, analysts say
Chicago | Reuters — The Trump administration’s plan to allow year-round sales of higher-grade corn ethanol would have limited impact on the depressed U.S. ethanol market, with record supplies and prices for the fuel hovering near the lowest in a decade, analysts said. President Donald Trump announced the decision last week ahead of a campaign […] Read more
World crop briefs: China seeks cuts to soy in feed
CNS Canada — The China Feed Industry Association is proposing soybean meal in hog rations be reduced, to offset rising costs and reduced supplies caused by the U.S.-China trade war. China imported about 87 per cent of its soybean needs last year and one-third of that came from the U.S., according to a report in […] Read more
Trump raises ethanol use in gasoline, appeases farmers ahead of elections
Washington | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump launched an effort on Tuesday to increase ethanol use in the nation’s gasoline pool, delivering a long-sought political victory to the nation’s Farm Belt and angering oil refiners ahead of November’s congressional elections. Trump announced the lifting of a ban on summer sales of gasoline blended with […] Read more
ADM ramps up ethanol sales in Chicago, irking rivals
New York/Chicago | Reuters — Archer Daniels Midland has sold unusually high volumes of ethanol into the Chicago market since late last year as export markets dried up, driving down prices in the U.S. Midwest and angering the company’s rivals, according to traders and regulatory data. The Illinois-based global commodities powerhouse, a major ethanol producer, […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
