Derecho and Drought Take Toll on Corn
Bloomberg writers Michael Hirtzer, Dominic Carey, and Kim Chipman reported last week that, "The corn crop in the U.S. Midwest deteriorated the most in 8 years with hot weather adding…
Brazilian Pantanal Faces the Greatest Environmental Tragedy in Decades
The Pantanal, the largest continental humid area on the planet, is facing the greatest environmental tragedy in decades.
“Fragile” Farm Economic Conditions Persist, as Ethanol Waiver Concerns Remain
Wall Street Journal writer Kirk Maltais reported on Saturday that, "Following a growing season last year filled with battering rainfall and bitter trade wars, U.S. farmers hoped 2020 would provide…
Federal Reserve Ag Credit Surveys- 2020 Second Quarter Farm Economy Conditions
On Thursday, the Federal Reserve Banks of Chicago and Kansas City released updates regarding farm income, farmland values and agricultural credit conditions from the second quarter of 2020.
Derecho Damage Begins to Unfold: Estimated 37.7 Million Acres of Farmland Impacted
Reuters writer Tom Polansek reported on Friday that, "A storm packing hurricane-force winds on Monday impacted 37.7 million acres of farmland across the Midwest, including 14 million in Iowa, the…
Farm Bankruptcies, Drought, Derecho, and Land Values: Recent Ag Econ Variables in Focus
Wall Street Journal writer Jesse Newman reported last week that, "More U.S. farmers are filing for bankruptcy, as federal payments projected to reach record levels this year fall short of…
Research Shows the Profile of Brazilian Digital Agriculture During the Pandemic
An unprecedented survey carried out by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) reveals the behavior around the use of digital solutions in the field in Brazil during of the Covid-19…
New Locust Clouds Appear in Argentina and Country Declares State of Agricultural Emergency
The Argentine Ministry of Agriculture recently decreed a state of agricultural emergency after receiving an alert for a new locust cloud. Currently, there are four monitored regions: Formosa, Chaco, Salta…
Kansas City Fed: Agricultural Financing Activity Slowed in Second Quarter
In an update last week from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City ("Agricultural Lending Consistently Slower"), Nathan Kauffman and Ty Kreitman stated that, "Agricultural financing activity slowed in the second quarter, according…
Science Magazine Study on Illegal Deforestation Causes a Strong Reaction From the Brazilian Government
A study published in the magazine Science caused a strong reaction from the Brazilian government last week. The publication shows that at least 17% of the meat and 20% of soybeans from…
Federal Reserve: Observations on the Ag Economy- July 2020
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve Board released its July 2020 Beige Book update, a summary of commentary on current economic conditions by Federal Reserve District. The report included several observations…
Amid Weaker Economic Conditions, Reports Suggest Farmland Values Holding Steady
Last week, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas released its Agricultural Survey. In part, the quarterly report stated that, "Bankers responding to the second-quarter survey reported overall weaker conditions across…
Argentina Combats Locust Cloud, as Brazil Stays on Alert
Last week, the advance of a locust cloud put the Brazil and Argentine authorities on alert. According to a bulletin released by the National Service for Health and Agrifood Quality…
Senate Ag Committee Hearing: Monetizing Voluntary Conservation Practices
On Wednesday, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a Legislative Hearing to Review S. 3894, The Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2020.
COVID-19 Ag Related Losses Mount, as China Seeks Virus Documentation on Soybeans
Donnelle Eller reported on the front page of Tuesday's Des Moines Register that, "The Trump administration has sent $4 billion in payments to U.S. farmers to help cover losses due to the…
A Closer Look at U.S. Meat Production from USDA’s Economic Research Service
Last week, USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) released its monthly Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook, which included updated information regarding meat production.
Cause for Concern? Government Programs Increasingly Important Part of Farm Income
DTN Ag Policy Editor Chris Clayton reported last week that, "The American Farm Bureau Federation on Wednesday sent a detailed list of recommendations to Congress to help farmers, stating that…
FAPRI: Baseline Update for U.S. Agricultural Markets
On Tuesday, the University of Missouri's Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) released its June Baseline Update for U.S. Agricultural Markets. The update incorporates government payment programs that were announced…
Federal Reserve: Observations on the Ag Economy- May 2020
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve Board released its May 2020 Beige Book update, a summary of commentary on current economic conditions by Federal Reserve District. The report included several observations…
COVID-19 Impacts on Livestock Markets Persist, While Fed Says Ag Sector “Under Severe Stress”
Recent news articles continue to highlight the ripple effects COVID-19 is having on some aspects of the U.S. livestock market. Meanwhile, the minutes from the Fed's April meeting noted that,…