USDA’s July Forecasts Show Lower 2019/20 Soybean Production, Exports, and Ending Stocks

In the latest USDA's WASDE report posted July 11, 2019, the 2019/20 soybean production forecast was down 305 million bushels to 3.845 billion bushels month-over-month (Figure 1). This forecast reflected lower planted and harvested area indicated in the June 28, 2019 Acreage report and lower expected yields. Soybean planted acres for 2019 was estimated at 80.0 million acres, down 4.6 million acres from last month. This would be the lowest acreage since 2013; however, this estimate might change.

What happened to Iowa Ethanol Gross Production Margin in 2019 so far?

“Planting progress has been slowed by relatively frequent and relatively heavy rains throughout April and May.”, said DIS chief economist, David Miller, on May 24, 2019. (Blog is originally posted here) These abnormal weather events affected a number of rivers with flooding in the Midwest area, which led to delays in the corn planting process.

What is the DIS Social Cultivator?

Have you ever wondered what your members are thinking and talking about on social media? Or what trends are occurring in different groups of people all across the country? The DIS Social Cultivator (DISSC®) allows you to gain and leverage deeper insights on your membership or other influential audiences with the added benefit of understanding what trends and topics they are talking about.

Freight Transportation and Commodity Flow

Many midwestern states, like Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, etc., are reliant upon infrastructure to move agricultural and agricultural related commodities to markets. There are thousands of miles of state highways and paved county highways that are integral to the farm and grain handling facilities.

The Rise and Return of Hemp in the U.S.

What do rope, shoes, plastics, food and beverages, animal feed, auto parts, fuel, sails, textiles, paper, canvas, building supplies, body lotions and salves have in common? They can all be made with the fiber, seeds or oil of hemp.

The “Quilt Map” Returns

2019 has been a very busy, productive year for the DIS team. From long-term additions to the team, an intense, short need from six interns and a bit of churn, we have had a great ¾ of 2019. At any one time, the DIS team could be working on 20-25 different projects – some big, some small, some short-term, some long-term. I often say that getting laid off in 2009, while difficult at the time, has turned out to be a rather enjoyable ride in the ten years since I've been working with the company. I

Freight Rates Analysis

As in the last article we talked about the common modes of transportation for agricultural commodities in the State of Missouri are truck, rail, ship, and multiple mode, with descending order, which multiple mode is defined as multiple modes and by parcel delivery services, U.S. Postal Service, or couriers by Freight Analysis Framework.

2019 Fall Rainfall Records

According to the October 28th USDA Crop Progress report, Iowa still only had 26% of corn harvested and 66% of soybeans, which are both well behind the 5-year averages of 53% and 80%, respectively. Last year was an exceptionally wet fall with many rainfall records in September and October across Iowa, but this year has been another extremely wet fall which is causing harvest delays.