Farm Credit Conditions Strong, Despite Rising Rates

Agricultural credit conditions in the Tenth District remained strong, and farm real estate values continued to increase, but growth has softened, said a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, in a release. The Tenth District covers Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming; 43 counties in western Missouri, and 14 counties in northern … Read More

Funds Buy More Cattle, Corn

After selling live cattle futures a week earlier, managed money, a proxy for large commodity investment funds, turned and bought cattle futures in the week ended Tuesday, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said in its weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday. At the same time, hedgers, known as commercial traders because they deal in the … Read More

Only 50% Of Farmers Expect To Expand

In a February survey of US farmers, Purdue University found that about 50% of farmers had either no plans to grow (33%) or plans to exit or retire (16%). The results were from a monthly survey of farmer sentiment to watch for changes, and while the survey results were reported earlier, Purdue Agricultural Economists Michael … Read More

USDA Ideas For Larger Crops Bodes Well For Feeders

USDA expectations for larger crops places the forecast for 2023/24 US feed grain production at 402 million tonnes, up from 358 million in 2022/23.  This leaves more for domestic feed needs. In its Feed Outlook for May, the USDA said total supply of feed grains was projected at 443 million tonnes in 2023/24, which outpaces … Read More

FOMC Moves Tightening Credit All Over

At its May 3 meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee raised the Federal Funds rate by another 25 basis points, making the target Federal Funds rate range from 5% to 5.25%. Brady Brewer, of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture, said in a report that the FOMC has consistently increased the Federal Funds Rate for … Read More

Funds Sell Cattle Futures

Large commodity index funds, called managed money, sold live cattle futures in the week ended last Tuesday, May 9, while hedgers covered short positions. That was according to data published by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in its weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday.   FUNDS LESS LONG CATTLE FUTURES   As of last Tuesday, … Read More

USDA Sees 2024 Red Meat, Poultry Production Below 2023

Total US red meat and poultry production for 2024 was forecast by the USDA to be 1% less than 2023, as lower beef and fractionally lower pork production offset higher poultry production. Total red meat and poultry production forecasts for 2023 were raised from last month.  Higher 2023 beef, pork and broiler production estimates more … Read More