In the News

The April issue of Agri Marketing will contain the list of Best of NAMA winners and a focus report on Ag and Rural broadcasting. To schedule your ad, contact Audrey Evans at 636/728-1428 ext 2003; AudreyE@AgriMarketing.com

presents WEEKLY COMMODITY HIGHLIGHTS

Nearby Futures	Weekly Change	Friday's Close	Year Ago
Corn	+.02 1/4	7.12	3.78
Soybeans	-.02	13.65	9.51
Wheat	-.45 1/4	7.76 1/2	5.06 1/2
Cattle	+.975	112.025	90.30
Hogs	-2.075	90.20	72.95
Cotton	-5.68	191.34	82.61
Milk	+0.08	17.07	14.28
Crude Oil	+11.68	97.88	78.70

Comments: Price volatility continues to be extremely high for all agricultural markets. The grain and soy complex was hit by large-scale profit taking on long positions held by large speculators early last week, but prices rebounded strongly on Friday. Because supplies will be very tight before harvest, the corn market desperately needs a very large crop. USDA's baseline plantings prediction calls for 3.8-million-acre increase over last year, but even then a record yield will be needed to push carryover back above a billion bushels. Near-record South American production takes some pressure off the soybean market, but a big U.S. bean crop is also needed to keep up with Chinese demand. Export purchased of U.S. wheat remains strong and yield expectations are low for the southern and western Plains. Livestock futures are trading at extremely high levels thanks primarily to strong export demand for American pork and beef. Click on the Brock logo or call 1-800-558-3431 for more info on our services.