Insights and Stories of Michael Hirtzer

Aug. 24, 2012 at 5:10 pm CDT

This summer’s historic drought ravaged corn and soybean production around the U.S. Midwest more than the government is predicting, Pro Farmer said on Friday. The farm newsletter predicted U.S. corn and soybean harvest would fall below the U.S. Agriculture Department’s most recent outlook. If their forecast is realized, the size […]

By Michael Hirtzer, Tom Polansek

Jul. 16, 2012 at 5:56 pm CDT

U.S. corn futures rose Monday by as much as the daily 40-cent trading limit, then settled within striking range of the record high of nearly $8 per bushel, as an unrelenting drought took further toll on the crop. The U.S. Agriculture Department, in a weekly report after the close of […]

By Michael Hirtzer

Feb. 7, 2012 at 1:46 pm CST

Archer Daniels Midland on Monday said it will close a North Dakota ethanol plant near the Manitoba border, marking the first such closure for the agribusiness giant that last month announced the elimination of 1,000 jobs. The facility at Walhalla, N.D., about 30 km south of Winkler, Man., will permanently […]

By Michael Hirtzer

Feb. 14, 2011 at 7:00 pm CST

With more Americans tightening their belts, demand for cheaper cuts of U.S. beef has actually pushed the price of select-grade beef higher than the generally more expensive choice cuts. For the first time in nearly two years, select-grade beef prices are above those for better-quality choice grade, according to U.S. […]

By Michael Hirtzer