News
Millions of Pigs Displaced With Packer Capacity Problem
Published May 13, 2020
Pork packing plants may be operating, but they're not running at full capacity. Kerns and Associates economist Steve Meyer said that means the bottleneck in the supply chain will continue. To bring plants up to speed, Meyer said the packer…Omnibus Ag Bill Moves to the Senate
Published May 13, 2020
With a 132-to-1 vote, the Minnesota House has approved the omnibus agriculture policy bill. This includes a $5 million appropriation for the soybean processing and research campus at Crookston. The bill creates a farm safety outreach program and there are…Changes Coming for Payment Limits in COVID-19 Relief
Published May 13, 2020
Payment limits of $125,000 per commodity and $250,000 per entity were part of the COVID-19 agricultural assistance package from USDA. That was considered unworkable by numerous commodity groups. In a webinar organized by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber, House…House Democrats Release COVID-19 Relief Bill
Published May 12, 2020
House Democrats have unveiled a phase four COVID-19 relief package. The bill is called the HEROES Act. Included in the $3 trillion bill are additional funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, market-ready livestock and poultry loss assistance, supplemental Dairy…USDA Hosting COVID-19 Payment Webinar Thursday
Published May 12, 2020
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and Farm Service Agency will host a webinar on Thursday at noon for farmers and ranchers interested in applying for direct payments through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. In the webinar, USDA will share what…Crop Watch
Published May 12, 2020
Fieldwork varies across the Northern Plains. "In the western part of North Dakota, conditions look alright. Moving east and north, there are some wet pockets of ground that is taking awhile to get into," said Spencer Wagner, ag sales manager,…Ethanol Demand Surprises Trade
Published May 12, 2020
An increase in ethanol demand in the USDA May Supply and Demand report surprised traders. "The markets didn't see the bear get fed in the U.S. figures," said Mike Zuzolo, president, Global Commodity Analytics and Consulting. "What really surprised me…Global Corn Production May Also Hit a Record
Published May 12, 2020
USDA expects record world 2020/21 corn production and use and larger ending stocks. Ending stock are expected to be 339.6 million metric tons. Global soybean production is forecast to be up 26.6 million tonnes to 362.8 million, with the Brazil…USDA Forecasts Record Corn Production
Published May 12, 2020
USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate projects U.S. new crop corn production at a record 16 billion bushels on a yield of 178.5 bushels per acre. Corn usage is expected to rise 245 million bushels to 6.6 billion bushels.…