Taxes and Finance
U.S. natural gas futures rose 2% to a four-week high on forecasts for hotter weather and more demand than previously expected. Extreme heat already boosted power demand to record highs in several parts of the country.
Livestock Producers Report Being Just Days Away From Running Out of Feed Due to Shipping Rail Issues
Bottlenecks along U.S. railways are growing more severe. Not only are feed users on the West Coast on the brink of running out of grain, but there are also concerns the rail issues could grow worse during harvest.
Diesel prices are causing sticker shock, as fears of a possible diesel shortage are growing. It’s not just retail diesel prices that are rapidly rising. Some farmers report booking off-road diesel for above $5.
The guidelines you need to follow to file and participate in the new ERP are not simple, says Paul Neiffer, a principal with CliftonLarsonAllen. He addresses what roadblocks farmers might encounter in the process.
Diesel prices hit $5.58 a gallon on Friday, smashing another record. With NOAA predicting an above-normal hurricane season, it could introduce more trouble for already short diesel supplies.
From record-high gas and diesel prices on the road to a major spike in the price Americans paid for their Memorial Day weekend barbecue essentials, shoppers are seeing price spikes everywhere they go.
If there was ever a time to consider producing for the global market, it’s now.
Gas prices crushed another record to start June, and experts say there’s no sign of a slowdown yet with $5 gas a strong possibility as the summer driving season pushes into high gear.
The White House is considering waiving U.S. gasoline environmental rules aimed at reducing summertime smog, hoping the waiver will combat rising pump prices, Reuters reported.
U.S. diesel prices are the highest ever, with warnings of shortages, especially in the eastern U.S., and the most intensive part of the farming season is still ahead.
The latest round of agricultural credit condition surveys from the Federal Reserve banks show high farm real estate values are supporting farm finances.
Diesel prices hit historic highs this week. Due to increased demand and a drop in production, a diesel shortage may be looming as the largest diesel distribution hub in the U.S. is sitting on supplies at a 30-year low.
Here are four ways to keep your eye on the profit prize.
Inflation predictions were so wrong for so long, the real thing has flummoxed us entirely. The other problem with this abrupt price change is the number of things to blame.
The fundamentals were already in place, forecasting positive prices for grain. The war in the Ukraine has strengthened that prediction.
Decision making changes during periods of inflation. If the historic inflation continues, knowing how inflation impacts decision making will help you make better choices, and your plans will be more likely to succeed.
About 500 rural counties in the U.S. have too few or no veterinarians. The lack poses risks to farming livelihoods and, ultimately, the country’s food supply.
I encourage all ag producers to think about vertical integration, starting with these questions.
The best attributes for managing risk are experience and intuition. Ironically, both of these require experience.
March 1 is often labeled the “Farmer Due Date.” It’s not a due date for tax returns, but it feels like one.
Food prices continue to climb across the board. According to the latest Consumer Price Index, increasing grocery prices account for the largest share of the hike. However, shoppers don’t view prices as high.
Starting next month, I hand off this column to KCoe Isom Manager Kala Jenkins.
Increased regulation and the search for better work-life balance are two factors leading to a shortage of truck drivers in the U.S. Walmart is now increasing the starting salary for drivers to try to attract new people.
The March CME/Purdue Ag Economy Barometer posted the weakest farmer sentiment reading since May 2020, as the survey found the biggest concern among producers continues to be “higher input costs.”
The Administration is proposing major tax law changes in their budget. It is likely none of these will pass, but it is important to know what is being proposed.
The commodity markets came under pressure to start the week as traders tried to shed risk over shipping concerns in China as COVID-19 concerns caused officials to shut down transportation amid a two-pronged lockdown.
Surprisingly, Americans spend only about 3% of all consumer expenses on gasoline. Similarly farmers’ fuel increase is considerable, but is being overshadowed by far worse budget problems.
For March 2021, the Rural Mainstreet Index sits at 65.4. That is up from February’s 61.5.
As part of the nationwide Farm Credit System, Farm Credit Mid-America takes its purpose to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture to heart.
The profit estimates are based on fall delivery prices of $6 corn and $14 soybeans, according to Gary Schnitkey, University of Illinois Extension economist and Soybean Industry Chair in Agricultural Strategy.