http://www.thelandonline.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:26:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_214113015.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_214113015.html In case you missed it, the hissing you heard emanating from the market this week was the air coming out of the bubble. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:21:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_214112346.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_214112346.html I take a couple of weeks off and we’re in a new environment of sharply lower prices. I guess I should take up a collection from those who want to keep me at my desk. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:11:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_214111215.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_214111215.html It has been a rough ride since the June 30 U.S. Department of Agriculture report. The factors influencing the market have changed and have not taken long to shift direction. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:09:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_205165422.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_205165422.html This last week proved that even in this era of demand-driven commodity bull markets, summer weather still makes a difference in the corn market. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:08:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_205165008.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_205165008.html Basis levels were weak over the course of the week, a function of a combination of factors. Ethanol plants, slowing or delaying grinds due to poor margins, are selling back corn into the marketplace, merchandisers are reluctant to hold high value inventories due to capital restraints, and exports are flat. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:06:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_205164201.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_205164201.html We’re in the midst of an historical run as commodity prices continue to push on this summer. At this point if you are a bull or a bear there are convincing scenarios either way. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:11:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_183180658.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_183180658.html More rain for saturated areas, a lower U.S. dollar (possible interest rate increase in Europe and U.S. levels left unchanged), rising energy markets, and the upcoming crop report lit a fire under prices this week as November beans soared to a new contract high of $15.77 as of this writing. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:10:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_183175902.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_183175902.html The flooding and speculation over how many acres have been lost were the catalysts for the surge higher as the week began. Later in the week, it felt like traders had had enough of trading high water and began to entertain ideas about how many bean acres may get planted or replanted. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:08:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_183173501.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_183173501.html The questions that producers have are increasing as the market moves higher and decisions need to be made about 2009 inputs with no good way to price next year’s production. We continue to be at that crossroads with extremely high commodity prices and no certainty of higher profitability. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:08:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_171100724.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_171100724.html Anytime you turned on the television this week, local and national coverage of flooding around the United States was splashed across the screen. This set the stage for soaring prices throughout the week. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:07:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_170175246.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_170175246.html Wetter weather than expected, demand and outside markets took the reins this week, propelling beans to highs not seen since March. July beans soared to $14.88, closing up 94 cents on the week; November beans were 85 cents higher on the week. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:05:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_170174531.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_170174531.html To a point rain makes grain as we head into the growing season. There are parts of the U.S. Corn Belt that are not planted and probably will not get planted to corn. Getting soybeans planted in those areas is also in question. We do know one thing and that is the weather will change. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:08:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_155151930.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_155151930.html The Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced initiatives this week to increase transparency in the energy futures markets. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:07:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_150153206.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_150153206.html The soy complex was influenced by the crude oil market this week and developments in Argentina. Weather will become a bigger issue in coming weeks. We’ll look to follow the leader (energy) for the time being. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:05:00 +0000 http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_150152624.html http://www.thelandonline.com/l_grains/local_story_150152624.html Planting progress has been tremendous in most of Minnesota. The crop has been slow to emerge but can cure itself with a warm rain and warm air temperatures.