Blogs

  • Canada Markets

    Statistics Canada reported 812,001 mt of canola was crushed in February (blue bar), the lowest volume reported in five months but still above the volume needed this month to reach the current AAFC forecast. (DTN graphic by Cliff Jamieson)
    Posted by Cliff Jamieson , Canadian Grains Analyst

    Statistics Canada reported the February canola crush at a volume that was the lowest reported in five months, despite wide crush margins, while the cumulative pace is ahead of the pace needed to reach the current AAFC demand forecast.

  • Sort & Cull

    Snow accumulations in the North during the weekend have feeder cattle contracts trading higher. (ProphetX chart)
    Posted by ShayLe Stewart , DTN Livestock Analyst

    We often view the grain markets as highly reactive to any weather changes, but the cattle contracts can be affected by weather developments, too.

  • Market Matters Blog

    The Lee A. Tregurtha was the first ship of the 2023 navigation season to pass under the aerial bridge and through the Port of Duluth canal, coming out of hibernation after it wintered in Duluth-Superior. (Photo courtesy of Schauer Photo Images)
    Posted by Mary Kennedy , DTN Basis Analyst

    The 2023 Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System navigation season began in full with the opening of the Soo Locks on March 25.

  • Technically Speaking

    The chart above is a daily chart of November 2023 soybean futures, reflecting a possible bullish reversal signal Friday. (DTN ProphetX chart by Dana Mantini)
    Posted by Dana Mantini , Senior Market Analyst

    For 13 straight days, November soybeans closed lower -- before Friday that is. On Friday, the market overcame more early selling to close up sharply to finish last week.

  • An Urban's Rural View

    Three thoughtful farmers agree economics helps explain the increasing disparity in voting patterns between suburbs and rural America, but cultural issues also play a role. (DTN file photo by Elaine Shein)
    Posted by Urban C Lehner , Editor Emeritus

    Three farmers emailed detailed thoughts on whether economics or cultural issues better explain why the countryside votes increasingly Republican even as Democrats make electoral gains in the suburbs.

  • Ag Weather Forum

    The Storm Prediction Center is focused on the Lower Mississippi Valley for a moderate risk of severe storms later today. (SPC graphic)

    A strong spring storm system will bring significant risks for severe weather across the Lower Mississippi Valley on Friday. Large hail will be possible, but very strong, damaging winds and long-tracked, strong tornadoes are the main threats.

  • Ag Policy Blog

    U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai testifying last year in the Senate. Tai told senators on Thursday that the Biden administration right now does not have any negotiations going on with trade partners to reduce tariffs for U.S. products. (DTN file photo)

    While the U.S. Trade Representative's Office is holding talks with Indo-Pacific countries, the country's top trade negotiator told Senators on Thursday that the U.S. isn't cutting any deals for other countries to lower tariffs to U.S. products. Senators from both parties...

  • MachineryLink

    You may want to remove rust and spare the metal part. But there are several things to consider when choosing to remove rust versus replacing metal parts and machinery. (Photo courtesy of Kano Laboratories)

    Be sure you get a rust remover that dissolves the rust away rather than a rust converter, which just changes the rust to a more stable layer of iron oxide. These layers may inhibit further corrosion and may be suitable for some coatings and linings, but the buildup may...

  • Production Blog

    After three days of constant reference, a Commodity Classic program booklet may get a little bruised and battered, but it's still a vital resource to navigating all the event has to offer. (DTN photo by Jason Jenkins)

    The 2023 Commodity Classic drew a record crowd to a sold-out trade show. Here's a rundown on three more items from the event that caught the attention of one DTN crops editor.

  • South America Calling

    The forecast for central Brazil for April suggests dry weather for the primary safrinha corn growing areas. (DTN graphic)
    Posted by John Baranick , DTN Meteorologist

    After some delayed planting for safrinha corn, Mother Nature is not helping out by reducing rains across central Brazil going into and through April.

  • Ethanol Blog

    The Renewable Fuels Association asked EPA Administrator Michael Regan to grant a waiver to allow E15 sales to continue this summer. (DTN file photo)
    Posted by Todd Neeley , DTN Staff Reporter

    The Renewable Fuels Association pressed EPA Administrator Michael Regan to grant a waiver to allow E15 sales to continue beginning on June 1. Without a waiver, E15 would not be available at the pump throughout the summer.

  • Fundamentally Speaking

    Chart by Joel Karlin, DTN Contributing Analyst
    Posted by Joel Karlin , DTN Contributing Analyst

    Percent change in U.S. soybean planted area from the March intentions to June acreage report, the June acreage to the final production figure and also the March intentions to the final number

  • Editors' Notebook

    Posted by Greg D Horstmeier , DTN Editor-in-Chief

    March 21 is National Ag Day. Hope you'll join us to salute all the important things agriculture brings to our nation and the world.

  • Minding Ag's Business

    The average interest rate on a non-real estate farm loan hovered around 6% in the fourth quarter of 2022. While that's the highest rate farmers have seen in 10 years, it's close to the 20-year average. (Chart courtesy of the Kansas City Federal Reserve)

    The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's most recent survey of lenders shows that non-real estate farm loans increased by 20% on average as production costs climbed. Interest rates also climbed to a 10-year high, putting additional pressure on financing costs.