Author: staff

by Ryan Hanrahan Reuters’ Gram Slattery reported Sunday that “President-elect Donald Trump threatened to reassert U.S. control over the Panama Canal on Sunday, accusing Panama of charging excessive rates to use the Central American passage and drawing a sharp rebuke from Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino.” “Speaking to a crowd of supporters in Arizona, Trump also said he would not let the canal fall into the ‘wrong hands,’ warning of potential Chinese influence on the passage,” Slattery reported. “After the event, he posted an image on Truth Social of an American flag flying over a narrow body of water, with the comment:…

Grain prices settled the holiday shortened session mixed. March corn was up 1¢, January soybeans were up 6¢, and wheat was down 5 to 7¢. March oats fell to the lowest level since early September as futures were down 11¢. When futures resume trading on Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. CT, will corn be able to push through the $4.51 resistance target? January soybeans need to get above the 20-day moving average ($9.84) before we are likely to see any new momentum traders enter the long side.  Livestock futures were mostly lower at the 12:15 p.m. CT early close today.…

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is back and will take effect on Jan. 13, 2025. On Dec. 3, a federal judge from the Eastern District of Texas (Sherman Division) issued a preliminary nationwide injunction, preventing Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) from enforcing the CTA and its implementing regulations. On Dec. 23, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted that earlier order. Following that decision, FinCEN announced it will delay enforcement until Jan. 13, 2025. The original deadline was Jan. 1, 2025. Background on CTA By Jan. 13, millions of small businesses, including farms, have to report their beneficial ownership…

1. Wheat lower, soybeans higher overnight Wheat futures were lower in quiet trading overnight as rain is forecast for areas in the U.S. where winter varieties are grown.  Precipitation in the next 10 days likely will boost moisture levels for winter wheat that’s growing in the Delta, Commodity Weather Group said in a note to clients.  Wetter weather is likely in parts of the southern Plains but it’s possible half the southwestern Plains will hold onto moisture deficits, the forecaster said.  The southwestern half of Plains wheat “remains too dry,” CWG said.  Soybeans, meanwhile, were higher overnight on some technical…

By Cami Koons The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Friday the state’s first human case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza.  According to a press release from the department, the individual is a commercial poultry worker who was exposed by a flock in northwest Iowa.  Earlier this week, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced the 11th detection of the virus in poultry flocks this year, following a string of detections that began in early December.  The press release did not say from which county the individual worked, but the bird flu has been detected…

1. Corn, wheat moved higher in overnight trading Corn and wheat futures were higher in overnight trading on signs of demand for U.S. agricultural products.  Exporters sold 150,000 metric tons of corn to Colombia for delivery in the 2024/2025 marketing year that started on Sept. 1, the USDA said in a report.  Sales of 227,200 metric tons of soybeans to an unidentified buyer were reported Thursday, while sales of 135,000 tons of corn and 120,000 tons of soy meal were reported a day earlier.  Since the start of the marketing year on Sept. 1, overseas buyers have purchased 36.3 million…

President Biden signed a stop-gap government funding bill over the weekend that calls for speedy payment of $10 billion to farmers to buffer lower commodity prices and high production costs. Congress voted to fund the government through March 14 after a fight that showed the limits of President-elect Trump’s control over Republican lawmakers. Row-crop farmers were eligible for up to $250,000 apiece of the so-called economic assistance payments, with the legislation directing the USDA to make payments within 90 days of enactment of the law, which would be late March. Payments could range from $19 an acre for wheat to…

The 2024 American Agri-Women celebrated its 50th National Convention by honoring two exceptional women, Sara Reid Herman, and Marie Bowers, with the prestigious 2024 LEAVEN Award. This award represents the highest honor of recognition by AAW, recognizing individuals who have acted as “leaven,” influencing and uplifting those around them to advance agriculture and empower others. Image by American Agri-Women Here’s some info on the winners: Marie Bowers, a fifth-generation grass seed farmer from Oregon, and is a leader in agriculture advocacy. Marie’s leadership extends beyond her farm. She is the Vital Issues Chair for AAW, has served as President and…

FFA chapters across the country are spreading holiday cheer through a wide range of community service projects, from organizing food and coat drives to delivering gifts and handmade holiday cards. Members are brightening the season for families in need, senior citizens, and children by volunteering their time and resources to make a positive impact. These efforts not only bring joy to their communities but also reflect the core values of FFA: leadership, compassion, and “Living to Serve.” Here are some of the ways they’re doing it: Fairfield FFA in Ohio donates “birthday” boxes to the local food bank.  Triton FFA…

Listen to the Podcast Meet Arlene and Caite Arlene Hunter and Caite Palmer are the hosts of the “Barnyard Language” podcast, which focuses on running farms and raising families. Arlene is a Canadian dairy farmer with four kids, and Caite is an American beef and sheep producer with two children. The two met online in a Facebook group for a parenting podcast, struck up a friendship, and started a podcast of their own. Now in its fourth season, “Barnyard Language” features guests from all aspects of agriculture, covering both serious and fun topics. Caite Palmer There are so many ways…