In the News

The next issue of Agri Marketing will include the annual Ag/Rural Show Guide, a salute to the Ag Media Summit and an update on the Canadian ag market. To schedule your organization's 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	-.04 ½	7.54	3.49 ½
Soybeans	+.34 ¾	14.14 ½	9.55
Wheat	-.46	4.41 ¾	4.67 ¾
Cattle	+.08	104.18	92.10
Hogs	+.30	89.23	91.58
Cotton	-2.94	152.67	80.45
Milk	+.47	18.95	13.52
Crude Oil	-.37	100.22	74.61

Comments: Action in grain and soybean futures was mixed last week with corn futures continuing to chop sideways amid uncertainty about U.S. acreage. A weaker dollar was supportive for commodity prices in general, but negative data on U.S. employment and manufacturing activity spurred new concerns about the strength of the general economy. Warmer, drier weather in the eastern Corn Belt eased concerns about corn planting delays somewhat. Soybean futures surged to seven-week highs, though, as acreage concerns heated up in that market and technical buying was triggered. Wheat futures turned south under pressure from Russia's return to the world export market and forecasts for rains across dry winter wheat areas of Western Europe. Livestock futures had a choppy weak with economic data spurring new concerns about meat demand. Both Live cattle futures and lean hog futures posted small gains, however, on support from speculative profit taking spurred by oversold market conditions and their discount to cash markets. Cotton futures eased on speculative profit taking triggered by weak demand. Click on the Brock logo or call 1-800-558-3431 for more info on our services.