Agri-Pulse DriveTime

The Intercontinental Exchange may be offering cattle and hog futures contracts before the end of the year. The lights may soon be back on at several Feed the Future innovation labs and drones are gaining popularity on farms and ranches across the nation. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the Producer Price Index made the biggest jump since December 2022. Gasoline prices were reported up 64% with diesel prices more than doubled from a year ago. The Council for Agriculture Science and Technology will release data tomorrow suggesting farmers bear the cost but not the responsibility for PFAS contamination. Agri-Pulse reports FGS Global has...

The new president of Syngenta's North American Crop Protection business , Jeff Cecil says this cyclical cycle in agriculture is unlike any he's seen before. The Kentucky native says innovation is key to farmers around the globe meeting the increased demand for food. Cecil succeeds Vern Hawkins who retired after more than 40 years with the company. 

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a 100% reallocation of Small Refinery Exemptions. Agriculture leaders praised the decision and hope the plan can be finalized in the calendar year.  Syngenta's Val Dolcini still believes a new farm bill can be approved in the Lame Duck session. 

A bipartisan group of legislators sent a letter to Trump administration officials requesting action on biofuel RVO's for 2026 and 2027. A popular political analyst is using more blue paint on the horizon for next month's elections. USDA forecast larger crops and carryover stocks for major commodities today. 

Traders continued to consolidate their market positions in front of the USDA's WASDE report Friday. Corn and soybean export sales were on the low end of trae expectations. Soybean export sales for the year are running well ahead for the year. Corn planting in Argentina are running ahead of the average pace at 30% complete. 

Minutes from the last meeting of the Fed showed a unanimous decision to raise interest rates with additional increases expected this year. Agriculture groups shared appreciation for President Trump's effort to lower diesel prices, but most say it won't offset costs that are over 70% higher than a year ago. NOAA is keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Isaias which is expected to strengthen to a Categor...

Agriculture groups expressed gratitude for President Trump's action to lower diesel fuel expenses. Wheat prices continue to see support from an escalation in fighting between Russia and Ukraine. Farmer sentiment fell last month according to the latest survey by the CME Group and Purdue University. 

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says President Trump will have an announcement of a plan to help lower fuel prices at the pump. The news follows action last week by G7 nations to release oil and diesel from reserves. The corn and soybean harvest is running behind the five-year average. 

A new ag leader says even with additional financial assistance from Washington, there will be fewer farmers next year.  Diesel prices are directly impacting farmer bottom lines this fall and indirectly reducing revenue from higher shipping costs.

A former national farm bureau leader is at odds with his home state association over a political endorsement for the U.S.Senate. Market insiders say ample stocks and poor crush margins prevent Chinese buyers from being more aggressive for U.S. supplies. Both drought and heavy rains are impacting early planting in Brazil. 

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman says there are multiple ways to still get a new farm bill in this calendar year. Boozman told the Arkansas Farm Bureau that he and staffers would work through the recess to be ready for the Lame Duck Session. Boozman said additional financial assistance for farmers was still possible this year. 

The end of the fiscal year brings another missed deadline for a new farm bill. Congress must approve another extension, write new policy or allow permanent law to take over in the new calendar year. The USDA's September Grain Stocks report is due tomorrow. El Nino is strengthening and leaving questions how the event will impact field activity in the U.S.  

Soybean prices broke lower today after details of last week's trade discussions between President Trump and President Xi didn't include Chinese tariffs on U.S. soybeans or the announcement of any additional purchase intentions. Wet weather hampered the harvest pace last week and threatens to keep a lid on progress in the week ahead. 

Trump administration officials said they will release trade details of this week's discussions with China on Monday. Trump and Xi are expected to meet twice more this year. Iran has offered a plan to open the Strait of Hormuz and there's another name vying for leadership on the House Ag Committee. 

News has been limited of the talks between President Trump and President Xi. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley says the high profile state visit should yield results for the nation. The war between Russia and Ukraine is limiting wheat exports from the Black Sea region but buyers haven't felt the pinched supply. U.S. hog inventory is down compared to last year. 

Negotiations between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set for tomorrow in Washington. Analysts say agriculture is well positioned to be a part of the discussions between the two world leaders. Soybean growers hope for renewed buying interest from its previous top buyer. One Iowa legislator is calling on House members to return to Washington and address increased fuel prices. 

President Trump made threats toward Iran in his address to the U.N. General Assembly and later met with Iranian officials. The president also met with the new Prime Minister of Britain and Prime Minister from Japan. A new survey by two major row crop grower associations highlights farmer uncertainty over their financial future. 

The Renewable Fuels Association has field legal challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency's granting of small refinery exemptions. President Trump announced he is working on a "massive deal" to purchase potash from Belarus. Grain futures were higher today anticipating positive news from meetings this week between the U.S. and China. 

Soybean and soy product futures fell at the Chicago Board of Trade. Technical factors and fundamentals plagued the end of the week trade. Arlan Suderman with StoneX believes commodity futures are well positioned in front of meetings with China.  Harvest delays are expected next week. 

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says the economic challenge for farmers is well beyond commodity prices. Dr. Alex Buck with the Plant Based Products Council told House Ag Committee members that the U.S. is missing an opportunity to capture market opportunities. The Meat Institute is celebrating tonight at the ballpark.  

Along party lines, the Senate Agriculture Committee advanced a farm bill proposal by a 12-11 vote. Leaders said the proposal was long overdue and represents a long list of bipartisan amendments. The Fed raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2023. 

The Senate Ag Committee will reconsider its farm bill proposal tomorrow. Cryptocurrency legislation fails in the U.S. Senate. Winter wheat planting is running behind average and ethanol exports are up compared to last year. 

Legislators are back in Washington with a full agenda and a clock ticking down to the November elections. Farmers and ag interests are in town lobbying for a new farm bill and energy policy. Crops are maturing and the harvest pace is picking up across the nation. 

Soybean traders were caught leaning toward the bullish side of the market as the USDA increased it's estimated production forecast for the season ahead. As expected, the September crop report lowered both the average corn yield and total production. The USDA lowered expectations for Brazilian corn exports and left its Argentine corn forecast unchanged at 63 mmt.