Snapshot of news and events for today
Quick links |
* Financial markets * Ag futures * USDA reports this week * NWS forecast * Major media * Ag media * Political humorists |
| Financial markets | Major world indicators |
Japanese trading...
- The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average finished 191.06 points lower, or 2.3%, at 8065.79.
- The dollar was at 90.76 yen from 90.69 yen late Monday.
Friday’s U.S. Markets...
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 68.73 points, or 0.8 percent, to 8281.22 -- down 37 percent for the week. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 17.49, or 1.16 percent, to close at 1,529.33.
- The 10-year Treasury note shed 1 4/32, or $11.25 for every $1,000 invested, to yield 2.322 percent.
- The dollar was at 90.59 yen from 89.84 yen, while the euro was at $1.3289, up from $1.3154 late Thursday.
| Ag futures | Yesterday‘s action and overnight indicators |
- Overnight trade: Check the link for updated prices and/or settlements.
What happened the prior trading day...
- Corn: Futures finished with 25-plus cent gains today to close out a very wild week of trade.
- Soybeans: Futures closed around 15 cents higher to help trim losses for the week.
- Wheat: March Chicago wheat finished about 48 cents below last week’s close to do some near-term chart damage.
- Cotton: Futures posted slight gains for the day following a choppy session.
- Lean Hogs: Lean hog futures fell under pressure last week.
- Live Cattle: Live cattle futures posted slight gains.
Scheduled USDA Reports & Summaries This Week | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Agricultural Marketing Service = (A) | ||||
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
Jan. 19 Holiday | 20 | 21 Weather - Crop Summary (N) | 22 Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook (E) | 23 U.S. Export Sales (F)Dairy Products Prices (N) |
| Overview | Other reports affecting agriculture |
| Major media | Links to top news reports with potential U.S. ag impact |
Wall Street Journal (subscription to site required for access)
- Obama to Call for a New Era of Responsibility Huge Crowds Gather as First African-American President Takes Office; Aides Expect Steps on Iraq War, Bank Policy This Week Some two million people are expected in Washington for the inauguration with the real work of the Obama administration seen beginning Wed., including work on plans for a 16-month withdrawal of forces from Iraq.
Related items:
An Impresario Hustles to Stage the Inaugural
Trio From Clinton Era Influence The New White House Indirectly
Deficits Restrict Obama as His Promises Come Due
Work With Congress Shows New Tack
- Economic Savvy Needed to Get New York Senator Job New York’s governor said that attention to economic details will be a key factor for the next U.S. Senator from the state. Some say that could work against Caroline Kennedy as the pick to succeed Hillary Clinton.
- Victims of Tainted Milk File Lawsuit in China’s High Court Some 213 families have filed suit against milk producers over tainted milk in Supreme People’s Court by mail. It’s not clear the court will take the case or not.
- Russia, Ukraine Sign Deal To End Natural-Gas Impasse. The two countries have again reached a deal that aims at restoring natural gas supplies from Russia to Europe. The 10-year deal is supposed to prevent the situation from becoming an annual event.
- Peanut-Product Recalls Mount in Salmonella Case . More food companies have recalled products made with peanuts as they were supplied peanuts butter from Peanut Corp. where salmonella has been found. FDA said Peanut Corp. sold products to 85 food distributors and manufacturers.
New York Times (registration to site required)
- Transition Holds Clues to How Obama Will Govern The item tries to extrapolate how Obama may govern based on how things went during the 77-day transition period, a time when he has appeared to make decisions with relative ease.
Related items:
On Moving Day for 2 First Families, a Bit of Magic by 93 Pairs of Hands
Hot Debate Gives Way to Embrace of Obama
In McCain Country, Acceptance of Obama Grows
Obama Has Busy Final Day Before Taking Office as Bush Says Farewells
Obama Team Makes Early Efforts to Show Willingness to Reach Out to Republicans
- Russia and Ukraine Sign Agreement on Gas The 10-year plan is aimed at preventing future disruptions in gas shipments to Europe, however European governments remained moderately skeptical based on the recent history of the situation.
- Fiat Nearing a Deal for Chrysler Stake . Fiat is said to be close to a deal which would give it 35% stake in Chrysler and potentially positions the company to takeover the U.S. automaker.
- On First Full Day, Obama Will Dive Into Foreign Policy Wednesday is expected to see Obama name former Sen. George Mitchell as his Mideast envoy, one of several foreign policy areas that are seen being some of the first issues he will focus on as he begins his presidency.
- Obama’s Moment Arrives Historians Say He Could Redefine the Presidency Today marks the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president, an event which many see as a potentially history-changing development.
Related items:
Obama Looks to Future With a Nod to His Past
Despite Snarled Traffic and Cold, City Is Already Celebrating
A 44-Year Journey Ends on a Bus to D.C.
Obama Aims to Use Campaign Energy For Civic Work
- Russia, Ukraine Sign Accord on Gas European countries welcomed the accord, but said they were waiting on actual arrivals of natural gas before hailing the pact.
| Ag media | Monitoring the countryside |
Fargo Forum (North Dakota)
- Speaker questions value of ethanol David Swenson of ISU says he’s not overly optimistic about the positive impact ethanol will have on the rural economy, noting how much things have dimmed for the corn-based fuel in the past year.
Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska)
- Fertilizer prices fall, but few are buying Fertilizer prices have been dropping in recent weeks, but the decline hasn’t spurred much farmer buying of this input. Some say it’s because they are waiting on still-lower prices while others say they may be opting to use less this growing season.
Des Moines Register (Iowa)
- Brasher: Vilsack will be effective ag chief, critics told From Sunday’s editions. Some thing that former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack will be more of a “reformer” than most expect as he heads into the top job at USDA.
| Laughing with, not at | From political humorists |
Jay Leno: “Did you all see President Bush’s farewell address last night? President Bush said he always did what he thought was right. Far right, but right.”
Jay Leno: “President Bush said he’s gonna live in Dallas when he leaves the White House. And, of course, the community in Dallas welcoming him. You know, as a President who had a disappointing and horrible year, he’ll be named an honorary member of the Dallas cowboys.”
