Insights and Stories on USDA

U.S. grains: Soybeans hit two-week high on fund buying

Feb. 8, 2017 at 4:16 pm CST

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures jumped to a two-week high on Wednesday while corn and wheat prices also rose on support from investment fund buying and position squaring ahead of a government crop report due on Thursday. Soybeans saw the biggest gains, with Chicago Board of Trade climbing […]

Minnesota probes Palmer amaranth’s sudden appearance

Feb. 8, 2017 at 3:36 pm CST

By Renita D. Young

Klassen: Feeder cattle markets digest USDA inventory report

Feb. 6, 2017 at 8:12 pm CST

By Jerry Klassen

Hog market improving with solid exports

Feb. 3, 2017 at 6:56 pm CST

By Dave Sims

U.S. livestock: Hogs jump on pork gains

Jan. 31, 2017 at 4:42 pm CST

By Michael Hirtzer

U.S. December feedlot cattle placements hit six-year high

Jan. 27, 2017 at 6:38 pm CST

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. feedlots brought in 18 per cent more cattle in December than the year-earlier month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Friday, which topped forecasts and reached a six-year high for that month. Higher prices for slaughter-ready, or cash, cattle last month improved profit for […]

By Theopolis Waters

U.S. livestock: CME hogs tumble after again nearing six-month high

Jan. 26, 2017 at 5:24 pm CST

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange lean hogs ended sharply lower on Thursday pressured by weaker initial cash prices and fund liquidation, but not before futures approached a six-month high for a second straight session, said traders. February hogs ended 1.675 cents/lb. lower at 65.85 cents (all figures US$). […]

By Theopolis Waters

U.S. grains: Corn up on strong exports, ethanol demand

Jan. 20, 2017 at 4:27 pm CST

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures touched a six-month high on Friday, buoyed by robust demand from exporters and ethanol producers, analysts said. Wheat followed corn higher in largely technical trade while soybeans eased on profit-taking. But all three markets posted weekly gains. Chicago Board of Trade March corn […]

By Julie Ingwersen Renita D. Young

Trump to name ex-Georgia governor as ag secretary

Jan. 19, 2017 at 3:40 am CST

Washington | Reuters — U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will name former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as his nominee for secretary of agriculture on Thursday, a senior transition official saidn Wednesday. Perdue, 70, served on Trump’s agricultural advisory committee during his presidential campaign. His nomination, which must be confirmed by the […]

By Reuters

U.S. livestock: CME live cattle up for third straight day

Jan. 18, 2017 at 6:43 pm CST

Chicago | Reuters — Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures closed higher on Wednesday for a third day in a row, following the morning’s wholesale beef price upswing and initial cash price strength, traders said. February live cattle closed 0.7 cent/lb. higher at 120.275 cents, and April closed up 0.4 […]

By Theopolis Waters