In fact, 89 percent of the state s corn crop has been planted, the highest percentage since records began in 1980, the National Agricultural Statistics Service s Wisconsin field office said Monday in its weekly crop report. The agency said 61 percent of Wisconsin s soybean crop has been planted, compared with 44 percent a year ago and a five-year average of 37 percent. Corn and soybean planting in Wisconsin is ahead of normal after two weeks of good weather. He guessed 40 percent of the...

Reed Construction Data Chief Economist Jim Haughey discusses how current developments in construction markets and the ecomony will bring opportunities and challenges for designers, contractors, and materials and services providers. Unless, of course, the process to produce bio-diesel from soybeans is improved and farmers switch back to soybeans from corn. Near term, there is a risk of sharp price increases for fuels, food and hence general inflation and credit costs and farmland which is...

and world supply and consumption forecast on May 11 as supportive for corn, soybeans, and wheat price prospects, said a University of Illinois Extension marketing specialist. Year-ending stocks of soybeans for the 2007-08 marketing year are projected at 320 million bushels, 290 million less than the projection for the current year. Based on March planting intentions, a forecast of acreage harvested for grain, and the trend yield calculation, the 2007 crop is projected at 12. The projection...

If soybean rust is found in Indiana, all agricultural and natural resources extension educators will be notified and efforts made to get information to growers. Time is important because the soybean plant is most vulnerable in the flowering stage, which occurs in late June and early July. Plant pathologists reported finding soybean rust 53 days earlier this year than last on kudzu in southern Louisiana. It's still too early to predict the likelihood and potential intensity of soybean rust...

With the oil price back above $70 a barrel, biofuel looks increasingly attractive, and as more corn is grown to fill fuel tanks, the prices of other food crops are also being pushed up. Drought in Australia has added to the food prices spike, which is feeding through to world inflation. Countries are devoting an increasing amount of their land to fuel. Battle for biofuels drives world food prices higher. Heather Stewart Sunday May 27, 2007 The Observer America's thirst for environmentally...

Even though cash markets are starting out good this week the market was weighed down by expectations that cash sales would decline amid easing demand after Memorial Day. In addition, slower pork exports and a seasonal slowing of pork demand held prices back even as market-ready hog supplies remain tight. Weather is always a factor after the crop gets in the ground. The major concern right now is a dry growing season with topsoil moisture running as much as 50% short to very short in many...