Impact of Pork and Beef Exports on Corn and Soybean Industries a Bright Spot for Producers

In the wake of a challenging year for U.S. corn and soybean producers, an updated study shows how exports of pork and beef provide support to their bottom lines. In 2024, U.S. pork and beef exports of $19.1 billion – an increase of $1 billion over 2023 and down just 2% from the 2022 record – had a significant impact on the corn and soybean industries, according to an independent study conducted by the Juday Group and released by...

Mar-Jac Poultry to Establish $25 Million Transload Facility in Perry County, Mississippi

Mar-Jac Poultry, a leading poultry producer in the Southeast, is announcing the construction of a new transload facility in Perry County, Mississippi. This $25 million investment will create 21 new jobs with competitive salaries, further solidifying the company's commitment to supporting local communities.

Strategically located at the Perry County Industrial Park in New Augusta, the facility will leverage the county's existing rail infrastructure to transport essential feed ingredients such as grain, corn, and soybean meal. This efficient transportation...

The 2024 Corn Harvest Is Officially Underway; Hurricane Francine to Make Landfall 

The week ending September 8th saw the start of measurable corn harvest in the U.S. for 2024.

The USDA reports 5 percent of this year’s corn crop has been harvested so far, which is slightly above a year ago at this time, and two points ahead of the 5-year average. Texas reports 75 percent of its corn crop has been harvested, while North Carolina has harvested 18 percent. Nine of the 18 primary corn-producing states have yet to begin harvest activities...

ADM and Farmers Business Network(R) Launch Gradable Joint Venture 

ADM and Farmers Business Network(R) Launch Gradable Joint Venture to Accelerate Adoption of Regenerative and Sustainable Ag Practices

Expansion of the technology platform will support farmers and buyers in meeting rising demand for sustainable farm products

Farmers Business Network and ADM today announced that they have launched a joint venture, Gradable, creating a new company to expand the Gradable technology platform and enable more farmers and buyers to confidently pursue and derive value from grain produced using sustainable and regenerative practices.

First introduced in 2020, the Gradable platform tracks...

Explosion Affects Operations of House of Raeford’s Biggest Feed Mill

A feed facility in Rose Hill, North Carolina belonging to poultry integrator House of Raeford Farms suffered an explosion earlier this week. Local broadcaster WCTI reported the incident resulted in no injuries.

The plant is now unable to grind corn as a result of the damage to its hammer mills. A spokesperson for the company said that it is too early to say when the hammer mills will be back online, as it is awaiting assessment of the damage by a structural engineer.

In normal times, the facility produces... 

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep 10 - Bird Flu: The Saga Continues

Corn Planting Progress Slightly Outpacing Average Rate

In the USDA’s latest Crop Progress report, corn plantings as of Sunday, April 7 were 3% underway across the 18 primary production states. This is slightly behind the 5-year average rate of 2%. 

Seven states now report planting progress, up from six the previous week. North Carolina and Missouri/Tennessee showed the most week-over-week progress, jumping 8 and 5 percentage points, respectively. 

States failing to get on the board include Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Corn futures were down 1 to 2 cents...

Initial Progress Reports Show Corn Plantings 2% Underway

Corn plantings for the week ending March 31 were 2% underway when averaging the 18 primary corn production states. This is slightly above the 5-year average by this time last year and is even with this week last year.

Texas is ahead of schedule, with 57% of its corn crop in the ground, compared to the 5-year average of 53%.

Plantings in Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee are each 2% underway. Meanwhile, 12 of the 18 primary production states have reported zero progress in plantings so far this year...