100-Dollar-Ideas
Do today’s grain prices make you cringe at the thought of marketing grain? Don’t be discouraged. “The market will give you opportunity every year,” says Angie Setzer, vice president of Citizens LLC. “There is a new trading range, $3.50 to $4.50, in corn, which is a bit wider and something to be aware of.” Strong prices tend to be $4 for corn, $10 for soybeans and $5 for wheat, she adds. To take advantage of marketing opportunities in 2017 and 2018, you must be proactive, agile and realistic. Follow these strategies and tips from market analysts.
Meanwhile, cattle and hog futures surged to new contract highs this week.
Shifts in expected rainfall could reduce growth of prairie grass
By partnering with Planet, an aerospace and data analytics company, Farmers Edge will offer satellite images more frequently—every one to three days. Planet says they have the highest number of available satellites, which means even with potential cloud cover farmers should still receive images frequently and at a high enough resolution to identify potential issues. Farmers Edge will combine the satellite images with analytics software to assist farmers during the growing season.
Three farm operators share their experiences working with preceding generations on career advancement.
As we close out the 2017 fiscal year and finalize our decisions, it’s time to get to work planning for success, survival or both in 2018.
The average value for U.S. pastureland rose 1.5% this year to $1,350 per acre, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Land Values Summary reported in August. The new value reflects an increase of $20 per acre from 2016 and a record high since the USDA began keeping records. By comparison, the average acre of cropland is worth $4,090, a level unchanged from 2016 and the third highest on record.
