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	+.36 ½	5.98	7.64
Soybeans	+.82	14.26 ¼	14.01 ½
Wheat	+.18	6.30 ¼	7.48
Cattle	+2.18	119.88	104.00
Hogs	+2.30	93.03	89.70
Cotton	+4.31	68.59	145.05
Milk	-.07	15.55	18.97
Crude Oil	+.47	84.10	100.74

Comments: Most agricultural futures markets rose last week as concerns about weather in the U.S. Midwest heated up while investor concerns about the European debt crisis eased at least temporarily, pressuring the value of the dollar. Continued dryness across southern and eastern portions of the Midwest made traders nervous about production potential, especially in the soybean market, where they were already on edge about world supplies due to South American crop losses and strong Chinese demand. Favorable U.S. crop ratings limited corn futures gains along with slow export demand. Wheat futures were capped by pressure from the U.S. winter wheat harvest and improved rains in Russian wheat areas. Grain traders will remain closely focused on Midwest weather forecasts this week, but Monday's crop ratings along with USDA monthly supply/demand data and wheat production data due out on Tuesday will also set the price tone. Cotton futures bounce last week was driven by profit taking on short positions amid oversold conditions and a weaker dollar. Livestock futures were boosted by firm fundamentals including higher cash cattle trade in U.S. Plains markets and strong gains in Midwest cash hog markets amid a drop off in supplies. Click on the Brock logo or call 1-800-558-3431 for more info on our services.