Households in states that were temporarily distributing extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits experienced lower levels of food insufficiency during most of 2022 and early 2023 than those in states distributing standard SNAP amounts, according to the Household Pulse Survey (HPS) from the US Census Bureau. March 1 marked the end of those additional … Read More
Cattle Price Comparisons Need Inflation Adjustment
At first glance, it appears fed and feeder cattle prices have reached record highs, but on an inflation-adjusted basis, prices have yet to surpass those of 2013-2015, said Dennis Elliott, Extension livestock economist at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in a Livestock Marketing Information Center letter called In The Cattle Markets. FOMC INFLUENCE … Read More
Elevated Financial Vulnerabilities In Nonbank Institutions
Recent strains at some banks in the US and Europe are a powerful reminder of pockets of elevated financial vulnerabilities built over years of low rates, compressed volatility, and ample liquidity, said a blog by International Monetary Fund writers Antonio Garcia Pascual, Fabio Natalucci and Thomas Piontek. Such risks could intensify in coming months amid … Read More
Short-Term Cattle, Beef Dip Possible: Koontz
Live cattle futures and cash markets established new highs in April, and markets remain strong long term, but a continued rally through the year may not be in the cards, said Colorado State University Agricultural Economist Stephen Koontz, in a Livestock Marketing Information Center letter called In The Cattle Markets. The April 2023 live cattle … Read More
Funds Advance Net Long Cattle, Corn Positions
Large commodity investment firms, called managed money in the trade, advanced their collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended Tuesday as hedgers lengthened their total net short position. That conclusion came from the weekly Commitments of Traders report by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Friday. FUNDS KEEP BUYING CATTLE … Read More
Some Areas Get Rain: Plains Still Parched
While a few areas of the contiguous 48 states received large rain totals last week, most of the country got only light rainfall, according to Thursday’s weekly drought monitor from the National Weather Service. Plus, Kansas, Nebraska, portions of central and western Texas and Oklahoma remained entrenched in extreme drought conditions, putting large swaths of … Read More
Q1 Farm Lending Growth Limited By Rising Rates
Growth in farm lending activity at commercial banks was limited in the first quarter of 2023 as interest rates climbed, said Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank Economists Nate Kauffman and Ty Kreitman, in a Bank release. However, farm lending growth was limited as interest rates climbed, Kauffman and Kreitman said. THE PROBLEM WITH INTEREST … Read More