Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn and soybean futures drifted lower on Thursday as generally favourable U.S. Midwest crop weather bolstered expectations for large harvests, analysts said. “We just don’t have enough demand … to overcome the good growing conditions that are seen across the Midwest,” said Brian Hoops, president of Midwest Market Solutions. So […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn, soybeans drift lower on favourable crop prospects
CBOT July wheat up on short-covering
U.S. livestock: CME cattle, hogs firm on winter weather woes
Chicago | Reuters — Front-month lean hog futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) settled about one per cent higher on Friday, supported by fears that a weekend winter storm in the Plains and Midwest would slow the transport of livestock and complicate pork and beef plant operations, traders said. “We see some significant disruptions […] Read more
U.S. states declare emergencies to help farmers in propane shortage
Reuters — Regional shortages of propane, which is used for heating homes and barns and by farmers to dry their crops, have led to emergency declarations covering nine U.S. Midwest states amid late harvests of soggy grains. Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin declared state emergencies beginning in late October, and continued last Friday to […] Read more
U.S. biodiesel industry struggles without subsidy
New York | Reuters — When John Whittington shut his Indiana biodiesel plant this week, he knew the move would leave all 14 of his workers there looking for jobs heading into the U.S. holiday season. But he felt he had no choice. A $1-per-gallon subsidy that had been propping up the industry since 2005 […] Read more
U.S. propane bottlenecks not affecting Canada
MarketsFarm — Despite ongoing shortfalls of propane in some areas of the U.S. Midwest, the situation doesn’t appear to be adversely affecting Canada, according to the Canadian Propane Association. The late harvest in the Midwest has been further hampered by wet conditions, forcing farmers to dry their grain before putting it in the bin. As […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn falls after higher yield estimate surprises traders
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures dropped to their lowest prices in more than a week on Thursday after the U.S. Agriculture Department surprised traders by raising its domestic yield estimate in a monthly crop report. The losses dragged down soybean futures, which earlier approached a three-month high on lower-than-expected U.S. yield and ending […] Read more
U.S. diesel prices hit three-year low as harvest delays feared
New York | Reuters — Diesel prices in the U.S. Midwest have sunk to a three-year seasonal low as farmers in the region face adverse weather conditions, further complicating an already delayed harvest season, traders and farmers said. Diesel demand typically rises during harvest season because farming equipment and trucks transporting product use the fuel. […] Read more
U.S. grains: Soybeans up on trade optimism, Midwest weather
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures climbed to their highest level in nearly three months on Wednesday before paring gains, supported by optimism about increased Chinese purchases and fears that a winter storm in the upper U.S. Midwest could threaten late-maturing crops. Corn closed modestly lower and wheat was little changed, with both commodities […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat, corn, soy rally after finding technical support
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn, soybean and wheat futures rose on Tuesday, rebounding from weakness in the overnight session after finding technical support, traders said. Wheat notched the biggest gain, with the benchmark Chicago Board of Trade soft red winter wheat contract rising 2.3 per cent. The contract rebounded from early weakness after finding […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn sinks on weather, retreating crude oil
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures fell on Tuesday for the first time in four sessions on better-than-expected U.S. crop conditions and as crude oil prices, which fuelled the prior session’s rally, retreated. Soybeans also declined, despite the announcement of more sales to top importer China, as forecasts for continued warm weather across much […] Read more
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