|
|
(5/9/2008)
Overall, 2007 was a good yielding year for corn in northern and central Illinois. Farms with corn yields averaging over 200 bushels per acre were common in 2007. While 2007 was a good production year on average, there were areas of the Corn Belt that experienced below trend yields.
Read the column... |
|
|
|
(5/5/2008)
The USDA’s Prospective Plantings report released on March 31 provided much of the fuel for the spring rally in corn prices. Read the column... |
|
|
|
(4/28/2008)
A small U.S. soybean crop in 2003 resulted in a year-over-year decline in the domestic soybean crush. Read the column... |
|
|
|
(4/21/2008)
The cattle industry is in a period of adjustment to the new realities of higher feed prices, lingering drought, shortage of forages, and the biofuels era. Read the column... |
|
|
|
(4/18/2008)
Illinois Farm Business Farm Management records indicate that average farm operator returns for labor and management was higher in 2007 than the average income for the previous five years.
Read the column... |
|
|
|
(4/14/2008)
Corn prices dipped in the third week of March, but recovered following the USDA reports of March 31. Read the column... |
|
|
|
(4/8/2008)
The soybean basis at many interior locations has been generally weak for the past year. The weakness has accelerated in 2008. Read the column... |
|
|
|
(4/7/2008)
Who is going to bail out the pork industry? The Federal Reserve Bank of the United States has recently been in the news helping to assure that a well-known investment bank would remain liquid. Read the column... |
|
|
|
(4/4/2008)
Financial data for 2007 have been summarized for farms enrolled in Illinois Farm Business Farm Management (FBFM) such that actual 2007 returns for corn and soybeans can be calculated. Read the column... |
|
|
|
(3/31/2008)
The USDA’s quarterly Hogs and Pigs report, quarterly Grain Stocks report, and annual Prospective Plantings report all appeared to be supportive for corn prices. Read the column... |
|
|
|
(3/24/2008)
How many acres of corn and soybeans will be planted this year is of great interest and could impact relative corn and soybean prices. Read the column... |
|
|
|
(3/24/2008)
Three upcoming USDA reports will provide valuable fundamental information for crop markets. Read the column... |
|
|
|
(3/20/2008)
In 2007 the total of all economic costs per acre for growing corn in Illinois averaged $563 in the northern section, $554 in the central section for farmland with “high” soil ratings, $526 in the central section for farmland with "low" soil ratings, and $484 in the southern section. Read the column... |
|
|
|
(3/17/2008)
A good place to begin when making 2008 crop insurance choices is with 2007 choices. Most Illinois farmers chose revenue insurance products in 2007. Read the column... |
|
|
|
(3/17/2008)
Grain and oilseed prices have been in a sharp up trend since the fall of 2007. Some of the price strength is clearly related to “traditional” supply and demand factors. Read the column... |
|
|
|
(3/10/2008)
The steep rally in corn, soybean, and wheat prices that began last fall faltered over the past week. Read the column... |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
