The Land Online - Money/Markets

Grain Outlook: Lieberman plans to curtail speculation
The flooding and speculation over how many acres have been lost were the catalysts for the surge higher as the week began. Later in the week, it felt like traders had had enough of trading high water and began to entertain ideas about how many bean acres may get planted or replanted.
Livestock Angles: Cattle firm up, lead by futures
Cattle prices have firmed over the past few weeks mainly led by the futures market where heavy speculation has been the dominate feature.
Grain Angles: Futures, questions increasing
The questions that producers have are increasing as the market moves higher and decisions need to be made about 2009 inputs with no good way to price next year’s production. We continue to be at that crossroads with extremely high commodity prices and no certainty of higher profitability.
Farm Programs: Farm bill is passed; now the real questions start to come
The “Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008,” which is more commonly known as the new farm bill, is now law. Here are some some common questions about it.
Grain Outlook: Flooding means soaring prices
Anytime you turned on the television this week, local and national coverage of flooding around the United States was splashed across the screen. This set the stage for soaring prices throughout the week.
Grain Outlook: $13 to $15 November beans?
Wetter weather than expected, demand and outside markets took the reins this week, propelling beans to highs not seen since March. July beans soared to $14.88, closing up 94 cents on the week; November beans were 85 cents higher on the week.
Livestock Angles: Selling pressure hurts cattle market
The cattle market appears to have found a short-term top during the first week in June. The futures market after vaulting higher early in the week met considerable resistance and began to come under selling pressure by mid-week.
Grain Angles: Good crop but running behind
To a point rain makes grain as we head into the growing season. There are parts of the U.S. Corn Belt that are not planted and probably will not get planted to corn. Getting soybeans planted in those areas is also in question. We do know one thing and that is the weather will change.
Farm Programs: For over 20 years CRP has helped soil, water, wildlife
The Conservation Reserve Program was originally established in the 1985 farm bill, and today has over 400,000 landowners participating, most of who are farmers and ranchers, and involves nearly 35 million acres under some type of CRP contract.
Pork Professor: Managing and understanding your hogs’ market weight
These are difficult times for hog producers with record high feed costs. We often get the question, “if I am losing money on every pig, when should I sell them?”
Grain Outlook: Energy market under microscope
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced initiatives this week to increase transparency in the energy futures markets.
Grain Outlook: Midwest planting getting caught up
The soy complex was influenced by the crude oil market this week and developments in Argentina. Weather will become a bigger issue in coming weeks. We’ll look to follow the leader (energy) for the time being.
Livestock Angles: Cattle advance, hogs lose steam
The seasonal bias is for a top at this time of the year with prices drifting lower into the fall. Therefore, producers should use the current strength in the market to lock-in or move inventory.
Grain Angles: Corn, soybeans driven by energy
Planting progress has been tremendous in most of Minnesota. The crop has been slow to emerge but can cure itself with a warm rain and warm air temperatures.