News
Today’s agriculture headlines and expert perspectives serving farmers, ranchers, crop consultants, livestock nutritionists and the entire U.S. ag community.
Cotton entered a bear market as improved prospects for crops in the U.S., the world’s biggest exporter, compounds the outlook for abundant world supplies.
The government’s forecast for cotton farm prices during the current marketing year is below many farmers’ cost of production.
China is hoarding a record amount of cotton, increasing the risk of a supply surge that would tip prices into a bear market.
Soybean futures headed for the longest rally since March 2012 on signs of rising demand from China, the world’s largest buyer. * Soybean gained 1.3% to $15.1425/bu * Corn futures rose 0.3% to $5.325/b on CBOT * Wheat futures gained 1.8% to $7.0075/b
Check out this online resource from the National Cotton Council.
While cotton prices rallied recently, more competitive crops may win out this year. And this could create a 30-year low in cotton production.
Breeders promise that new varieties will be better suited to hot weather
Most of this reduction in stocks is expected to take place outside of China.
U.S. cotton supply and demand estimates include slight revisions, resulting in an increase of 300,000 bales in forecast ending stocks.
Strong warming to raise soil temps across the Corn Belt.
State corn and soybean weather and condition report highlights.
Many areas of the Corn Belt are in need of rain to improve soil moisture reserves.
Says bottom line is what’s important -- beef is safe.
Lowers crop estimate by 2 million metric tons.
Showers also are benefiting winter wheat on the Plains.
Report to show On Feed at 102% of year-ago, which is below last month’s level.
USDA crop progress and condition report highlights.
Martell outlines key weather events.
The Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Program is a long-running effort to make sure petroleum products don’t enter the U.S. water supply.
Summer crop area expected to be similar to year-ago.
Following the recent record-high cotton prices, demand for cotton has steadily decreased while output has increased.
Says slowdown in global economy behind reduction to forecast.
Cotton is a “mixed bag” in the Panhandle and South Plains, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel.
Texas producers are abandoning irrigated fields of cotton, corn, sorghum and hay as wells run dry.
USDA’ s cotton crop progress ratings for the week ended Aug. 29.
Last week’s Hurricane Irene dumped heavy rain on nearly all of the cotton in Virginia and North Carolina. But it could have been worse.
Mississippi’s young cotton crop has already faced a list of challenges including flooding, late planting, insects and now drought.
Strong demand for cotton will push the new-crop annual average price to a new record high despite anticipated record-high global cotton production.
Will the expected increase of cotton acres actually get in the ground?