Blogs

  • Market Matters Blog

    DTN's weekly spot price for domestic distillers dried grains for the week ended March 30 was $1 higher on average than one week ago. (DTN file photo)
    Posted by Mary Kennedy , DTN Basis Analyst

    DTN's weekly average spot price for domestic distillers dried grains is $1 higher than one week ago.

  • Ethanol Blog

    U.S. ethanol producers will now have full access to the Japanese ethanol market. (DTN file photo)

    The Japanese government made a rule change this week that will allow ethanol produced in the U.S. to fully access the country's fuel market.

  • MachineryLink

    New Holland Ag's T7 Long Wheelbase tractor delivers more traction by way of bigger tires, but no increase in the overall dimension of the 300-horsepower tractor. (Photo courtesy of New Holland Ag)
    Posted by Dan Miller , Progressive Farmer Senior Editor

    Here's a two-minute look at New Holland Ag's T7 Long Wheelbase tractor with PLM Intelligence. The 6.7-liter engine delivers 280 horsepower max power for draft work and 300 horsepower at the PTO.

  • Ag Weather Forum

    Widespread severe storms are expected for Friday. All modes of severe weather are possible, but the tornado threat is maximized along the Mississippi River for this afternoon and evening. (SPC graphic)
    Posted by John Baranick , DTN Meteorologist

    Another strong risk of severe weather is associated with a large spring storm system for Friday.

  • Fundamentally Speaking

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

    Percent of U.S. corn planted by April 30 and May 25 vs. acreage change for corn and soybeans from the March intentions to the final figure

  • Canada Markets

    The green line represents the bid for No. 1 large green lentils delivered Saskatchewan plants, while the red line represents the trend in red lentils. Both reached crop-year highs this week. (DTN graphic by Cliff Jamieson)
    Posted by Cliff Jamieson , Canadian Grains Analyst

    Large green lentils and red lentils reached a crop year high over the week ending March 29.

  • Ag Policy Blog

    A map showing Margin Protection plans that will be offered with an expansion for corn and soybeans announced by USDA's Risk Management Agency. The expansion will go into effect for the 2024 crop year, but producers will have to lock in their Margin Protection coverage by Sept. 30, 2023. (Map courtesy of USDA Risk Management Agency)
    Posted by Chris Clayton , DTN Ag Policy Editor

    USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) on Thursday announced it would expand Margin Protection plans for farmers in 1,255 counties for soybeans and 1,729 counties for corn production. The expansion will happen for the 2024 crops.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.