SOYBEANS

Chinese cancellations drop market

The wheat markets had losses of 15 to 20 cents last week, following along with the steep losses seen in the row crop markets. Noncommercial money was flowing out of the grain markets ahead of the holiday breaks and year-end.

By Ray Grabanski , December 24, 2012

King Corn marches north

Several county soybean grower associations in northwest Minnesota have expanded, or hope to expand, their focus to corn.

By Jonathan Knutson , December 24, 2012

Harvest progress pressures grains

By Ray Grabanski , September 10, 2012

Dry times

Chad Groos, 41, farms two miles north of Coleman, S.D., with his father, Andy, and brothers Eric and Grant. Groos says his family is fortunate this year, compared with those farther south plagued by severe drought.

By Mikkel Pates , September 10, 2012

Markets retreat after USDA report

By Ray Grabanski , August 20, 2012

Strong gains, declining conditions

Wheat traded higher throughout the week ending July 20, as drought conditions in both the U.S. and the Black Sea region helped put a substantial premium into all three wheat exchanges.

By Ray Grabanski , July 23, 2012

National drought, heat loom large

The national agriculture drought and the specter of hot, dry conditions during corn pollination are looming large for farmers Agweek visited on July 17 and 18, in a swing that went from Fargo, N.D., to Rugby, N.D.

By Mikkel Pates , July 23, 2012

USDA report pressures grains

With the exception of July Minneapolis, the wheat markets traded moderately lower for the week. For the week ending June 14, July Minneapolis gained 25 cents, September Minneapolis was down 5.75 cents, July Chicago was down 8.5 cents, September Chicago lost 7.5 cents, July Kansas City lost 10 cents and September Kansas City was down 10 cents.

By Ray Grabanski , June 18, 2012

Chilly day, good-looking crops

On a normal mid-June day in the Upper Midwest, many farmers apply chemicals to their crops or take a first cutting of alfalfa. But a recent Agweek trip through parts of Benson, Pierce and Bottineau counties in north-central North Dakota didn’t take place on a normal mid-June day. The day of the trip provided the worst possible weather to spray crops or cut alfalfa: rain clouds filled the sky, temperatures fell south of 50 degrees and a stiff, cold wind shook even the stoutest evergreens in shelterbelts.

By Jonathan Knutson , June 18, 2012

Wheat market heats up

The wheat markets traded moderately higher last week. For the week ending June 7, July Minneapolis gained 27.25 cents, September Minneapolis was up 20.75 cents, July Chicago was up 29.5 cents, September Chicago gained 27.25 cents, July Kansas City gained 31.5 cents, and September Kansas City was up 31.25 cents.

By Ray Grabanski , June 11, 2012

Markets decline continues

The wheat markets traded mostly lower. For the week ending May 31, July Minneapolis fell 33.5 cents, September Minneapolis was down 30 cents, July Chicago was down 36.25 cents, September Chicago lost 33.75 cents, July Kansas City fell 35 cents, and September Kansas City was down 34 cents.

By Ray Grabanski , June 04, 2012

'Made in America' wanted

PIERRE, S.D. — It is a long way from Parker, S.D., to China. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to China twice in the last eight months. Though the land area of the U.S. and China is fairly close, China has nearly four times the people: 1.4 billion. In recent years, the population in China has grown every month by the population of South Dakota. It’s mind boggling.

By Walt Bones , June 04, 2012

Conditions, cancellations pressure market

Wheat started last week off on a strong note, but faltered for the rest of the week. For the week ending May 24, July Minneapolis dropped 15.5 cents, September Minneapolis dropped 14 cents, July Chicago dropped 34 cents, and July Kansas City gave up 18.5 cents. Wheat was under pressure from spill-over selling from the other grains as well as from high crop ratings for spring wheat.

By Ray Grabanski , May 29, 2012

China's soybean situation

Soybean export sales were in the middle of the range of estimates. Palm oil prices firmed up in Malaysia after a recent string of lower prices. The trade is still dealing with rumors of cancellations, but no confirmations. The Inspection and Quarantine Department in southern China at the port of Guangxi has said that it discovered a recent cargo of soybeans from Brazil contained live worms. The cargo was approved for offloading, and there is no word yet on how the government intends to deal with the trader or Brazil.

By Sue Martin , May 29, 2012

Farmers off to a strong start

NELSON COUNTY, N.D. — Farmers and others involved in production agriculture in North Dakota’s Nelson County are much more optimistic this spring than they were a year ago.

By Jonathan Knutson , May 29, 2012