In the News

The next issue of Agri Marketing will include an update on Farm Broadcasting. To schedule your organization's ad contact Audrey Evans: AudreyE@AgriMarketing.com; Ph: 515-954-8589.

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Millennials - Today's and Tomorrow's Farmers

Tomorrow's farm owners and operators are working on the farm today. This generation will manage production of most of the world's food and fiber - our next greatest farming generation. We're meeting their specialized information needs at our shows, in our magazines, online and in a special newsletter, NewGen Farmer, edited specifically for these key producers.
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WEEKLY COMMODITY HIGHLIGHTS

Nearby Futures	Weekly Change	Friday's Close	Year Ago
Corn	-0.1500	4.0950	3.8125
Soybeans	-0.3250	8.6850	8.9750
Wheat	-0.0525	4.9075	5.6050
Cattle	-2.08	107.83	109.95
Hogs	-13.73	65.73	49.65
Cotton	-5.12	59.42	88.83
Milk	-0.20	17.79	15.61
Crude Oil	-0.54	55.66	67.66

Grain and soybean futures fell sharply, pressured by technical selling, favorable weather across much of the Corn Belt and concerns about demand. The market was already on its heels when President Trump on Thursday threatened more tariffs on China. That sent commodities as well as financial markets further into a downward spiral, as the prospect of a U.S.-China trade deal seems further away than ever. Corn and soybeans both fell to their lowest levels in more than two months. In addition to demand concerns, mostly favorable weather across the Midwest helped keep concerns about the U.S. crop at bay. Nonetheless, the crop remains a huge question mark given the poor spring weather. Also some areas of the Corn Belt, particularly from eastern Iowa and across central Illinois, are seeing drought stress. Wheat futures followed corn lower, as a strong start to exports for the marketing year is offset by the presence of large crops around the world. The cotton market embarked on another leg lower, making contract lows on a surging U.S. dollar and the deteriorating situation with China. A generally favorable U.S. crop outlook is another negative factor, although there is still uncertainty about this year's cotton crop.

In the livestock complex, futures were a nightmare for the hog industry, as the market crashed under pressure from the U.S.-China situation and ample hog supplies. Cash hog prices tumbled as well. Rising hog supplies could keep pressure on cash prices in the coming weeks, especially as packers try to boost margins that have been very weak. Live cattle futures also tumbled early in the week, although they mounted a rally on Thursday amid support from Plains cash markets. In addition to generally firm Plains cash cattle prices, wholesale beef prices were firm. Feeder cattle futures were also down on the week.

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