All posts by Chuck Danehower, Extension Area Specialist - Farm Management

19 Aug 2011

Weekly Crop Marketing Comments

19 Aug 2011
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Corn, cotton, soybean and wheat prices are all up for the week. The September U.S. Dollar Index was trading before the close at 74.10, down 0.65 since last Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was trading down 401 points for the week at 10,868. Crude Oil was trading before the close at 82.35 a barrel, down 3.03 a barrel since last Friday. The U.S. Drought Monitor (http://drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html) continues to show expanded dryness and beginning drought condition, particularly in the Eastern Midwest. Continue reading →


18 Aug 2011

Mid-South Ag Finance Conference – Benchmarking Dashboard

18 Aug 2011
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At the August 3rd Mid-South Ag Finance Conference, Dr. David Kohl provided producers with financial & management benchmarking data. As I work with producers in farm financial management, two questions that always come up – How do my numbers compare to others? and Am I where I need to be? Comparing your financial information to benchmarking data can help give producers a sense of how their operation is performing. Continue reading →


15 Aug 2011

Crop Watch

15 Aug 2011
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As reported by NASS on August 15, 2011

Variable Crop Conditions Within Counties.  Last week brought only scattered showers in most counties leaving a scenario, at week’s end, where all regions could use a general rainfall. Despite this generally dry pattern, crops overall remain rated in good-to-excellent condition. Most counties have crops in all condition categories from very poor to excellent. Continue reading →


12 Aug 2011

Weekly Crop Marketing Comments

12 Aug 2011
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Corn and wheat prices are up while cotton and soybean prices are down for the week. The September U.S. Dollar Index was trading before the close at 74.75, down 0.07 since last Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has whipsawed all week in some extreme moves and while up 111 points today before the close looks to finish the week down 189 points at 11,255. Crude Oil was trading before the close at 85.38 a barrel, down 1.18 a barrel since last Friday. Dryness as measured by the U.S. Drought Monitor (http://drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html) continues to expand in the Midwest and was more or less a backdrop for this month’s USDA reports as projected yields were cut in corn and soybeans. Continue reading →


11 Aug 2011

Comments on August 11 USDA Supply and Demand Report

11 Aug 2011
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Corn

USDA in this month’s report raised ending stocks 60 million bushels from July to 940 million bushels for the 2010/11 marketing year on 20 million bushel increase in food and seed, a 30 million bushel decrease in corn for ethanol, and a 50 million bushel reduction in exports. The season average price for 2010/11 is forecast to range from $5.20 – $5.30, an increase of 5 cents on the lower end and decrease of 5 cents on the top. Continue reading →


08 Aug 2011

Crop Watch

08 Aug 2011
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This week brought extreme heat and hit or miss showers to most Tennessee counties. Rain was generally welcome where received, but more will be needed to keep crops in good-to-excellent condition. Pastures are stressed, but generally are in good shape for this time of year. Besides the harvest activities, growers were active spraying pesticides, scouting, and irrigating. Continue reading →


05 Aug 2011

Weekly Crop Marketing Comments

05 Aug 2011
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Corn and wheat prices are up while cotton and soybean prices are down for the week. The September U.S. Dollar Index was trading before the close at 74.82, up 0.78 since last Friday but down 0.54 for the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded before the close at 11,410; down 733 points for the week but up for the day. Crude Oil was trading before the close at 86.56 a barrel, down 9.14 a barrel since last Friday. Grains rallied early in the week on a corn weather market, but are struggling to hang on as overall fear and uncertainty have gripped the financial and commodity markets. Continue reading →


04 Aug 2011

Mid South Ag Finance Conference: Rules of Ag Management

04 Aug 2011
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There were around 180 participants at the August 3 Mid South Ag Finance 10th Annual Conference on the campus of UT Martin. Those in attendance heard a wealth of farm financial management, risk management, policy and marketing information. This is an annual conference and I would highly recommend producers, lenders, suppliers, and anyone involved in agriculture to attend. It is usually the first Wednesday in August, so Continue reading →