As drought deteriorates across the U.S., it's a positive signal for growing a big crop in 2024. And analysts say if weather continues to fuel this year's crop, December corn futures could fall into the $3 range by fall.
Drought monitor notes that 34.96% of contiguous U.S. is drought-free -- little changed from last week.
Meteorologist Gail Martell provides her weather insight.
After last summer's record drought, farmers and ranchers are preparing for the possibility of another dry year.
But western Corn Belt not included in forecast for above-normal precip.
Temps expected to be 10 to 15 degrees below normal over the near-term.
Changes in Mexican domestic beef consumption and beef trade have significant implications for the U.S. cattle industry in the coming years.
Even after storms dumped many inches of snow in February, water shortages and dirt-dry pastures across the Great Plains are shrinking herds.
The drought has had lasting effects on farmers across the country—cattlemen in particular.
Central and Southern Plains still covered by drought.
The second major snowstorm in a week for the southern Great Plains is delivering moisture to U.S. wheat crops.
USDA's Chief Economist highlights expectations for record corn and soybean production in 2013.
From South Dakota to Ohio, farmers are preparing to plant the most corn in almost eight decades after drought ruined last year's harvest.
Western Corn Belt still covered by drought.
The drought has had lasting effects on farmers across the country. Here's how three cattle producers have changed management practices to survive.
Focus turns to mending drought across the western Corn Belt.
U.S. feedlots bought 0.5 percent fewer cattle in December compared with a year earlier, the government said.
Slaughterhouses will pay $1.32 a pound on average on cash markets for spot supplies, up from $1.23 last year, the broker's chief strategist says.
Frigid temps in the Northern Plains and upper Midwest remain in effect.
Dwindling cattle supplies cited as cause for halting production at the Plainview, Texas, facility.
There’s interesting speculation about when and how the nation’s cowherd will start rebuilding.
The individual choice to expand cow numbers is a complex, multi-year decision made difficult by high and volatile input prices.
Slight improvement noted in the South.
Says weather resembles ENSO-neutral conditions.
The cattle market still anticipates peak prices for 2013 in nearly every segment of the industry, but it all depends on the weather.
Precip deficits also remain wide across northern Illinois and northern Indiana.
Each year Pro Farmer usually picks an individual for their Ag Person of the Year, but this year they selected a group-- cattle producers.
But more drought relief coming to the eastern Corn Belt.
Some long-term changes have begun that will have significant implications for the beef cattle industry.
Drought cuts deep for livestock farmers
There is ample capacity to rebuild the cowherd according to the demands of the market, but how it will be done is likely to be different.
Persistent drought conditions in sections of the U.S., rain in Argentina and export levels all are contributing factors.
Winter wheat could still present good grain opportunities for farmers, experts say, but a lack of moisture has stressed pastures.
Though farmers may be disappointed in not having a wet winter, there’s some good news mixed with the bad.
USDA projects the feeding of wheat will account for 12.7% of total use of U.S. wheat during 2012, up from the 9.1% average.
Poor weather conditions have resulted in high feed costs and big financial losses, Purdue Extension agricultural economist Chris Hurt says.
The impacts of the 2012 drought continue to play out in a beef industry discouraged by high feed prices and large cattle feeding losses.
While more optimistic, Texas ranchers remain extremely cautious when it comes to rebuilding herds and holding onto forage stocks.
Know the nutrients and dangers that cornstalks contain.
Above-normal temps expected across the bulk of the country on average the remainder of the year.
Some improvement to the lower Midwest.
USDA dropped feed usage by 725 million bushels in its August WASDE, and some expect the department to lower feed demand further on Wednesday.
Mother Nature continues to dictate the size of the nation’s cowherd and subsequent calf crop leading to tighter beef supplies.
Many are asking that during this drought, but if farmers wait to apply fertilizer until it rains, a major part of the benefit will be lost.
Thin pastures and meager forage supplies prompt producers to seek alternative feed sources.
For those who can hold on for the next several months, the reduced cattle herd could mean bigger profits starting late 2013.
Water quality issues continue to worsen as drought and high temperatures increase the risk of high sulfate water.
