Weather

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.

Above-normal temps expected across the bulk of the country on average the remainder of the year.

Some improvement to the lower Midwest.