USDA Launches Agribusiness Trade Mission to Morocco

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley arrived in Casablanca today to begin a USDA-sponsored agribusiness trade mission. Whitley is leading a delegation of nearly 50 U.S. agribusinesses and trade groups and 14 state departments of agriculture to expand U.S. farm and food exports to Morocco and other West African markets.

"I am honored to lead this delegation to Casablanca as we work to strengthen vital connections, grow U.S. agricultural exports, and showcase the broad array of products American agriculture has to...

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...

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...