Corn prices are up +20 cents from last weeks low as tensions with China appear to have eased and the USDA took a step towards trimming U.S. production. Bears however are quick to point out that an official deal with China is still off on the horizon and U.S. weather into...
I constantly hear my friends and others talking about how bad things have become. They talk about more shootings, more violent crimes, less religion, etc..., but these arguments are not backed by facts or figures. They are mostly just strong hunches and hearsay. Believe it or not, violent crimes are much lower than in years past. Faith...
Corn bulls are talking about a possible short squeeze in the front end of the market, the JUL19 contract, which is challenging a 5-year high. As I've been reporting, cash basis bids have been tightening in many locations and the market is getting wound tighter and tighter. I think there's...
I see at minimum -10 million unplanted corn acres and perhaps much more. I also have a very hard time fully grasping potential yield loss on all of the re-plant and late-planted acres. Recently on the June WASDE, the U.S. planted acreage estimate was lowered by -3 million to 89.8...
Writing this report and sharing my thoughts has allowed my wife and I to meet some amazing families across our great nation. This past year has perhaps been the toughest we remember. We have sent many plants, trees, cards of sorrow and prayers to many families. We've truly become friends...
I was at a business conference in Arizona this past week and we talked a lot about "perspective". In fact, one of the speakers told her story about how she has enjoyed wild success by simply trying to deliver one thing..."happiness". Her bars and restaurants have no menu's as she...
I wanted to take just a quick moment and talk about "Memorial Day." I know I might be preaching to the choir, but many people fail to realize that Memorial Day was originally set aside to exclusively honor the fallen soldiers of our great nation. In fact, it was first...
Dan Gilbert, age 57, is perhaps best known as the billionaire owner of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, but what many people don't recognize are his humble beginnings and simple philosophical keys to success. Gilbert was born in Detroit, Michigan, attended Southfield-Lathrup High School, earned his bachelor's degree from Michigan State...
We've been having a lot of talk inside our office as of late about leaders and followers. I've been extremely lucky to have many great mentors and leaders in my life, both at younger age and during my professional career. Interestingly, all of the most successful people I've come in...
For the better part of a year, African Swine Fever has been roiling the global soybean complex. Now we have new data from China's Ministry of Ag and Rural Affairs reporting that the pig herd has declined by -20% since ASF was first reported in early August 2018, and China's...