Some produce lovers out there are willing to spend a surprisingly large amount of money on what’s been dubbed “designer” fruits and vegetables. From strawberries that run upwards of $5 each, to mini, seedless peppers that cost three times that of their full-sized cousins, these products have transformed produce aisles into one of the more …
How Companies are Winning the High-End Produce Market Read More »
Farmers in the US struggled through an overly wet planting season and are now facing unseasonably warm temperatures across a wide swath of corn and soybean regions. Heat is typically something that becomes a worry further along in the growing season but temps have already busted through the 100-degree mark in parts of the Midwest …
Wars can swing commodity prices widely. Certainly, this has been true in Ukraine. The question for readers of the Van Trump Report is how markets might react if hostilities in Ukraine were to cease and tensions in the Middle East subside, or conversely, should conflicts spread further into the Middle East and China Sea. In …
Broke Bob’s Ag Equity Report: Ukraine War’s Impact on Ag Equities Read More »
Over the next five years, Indian households are predicted to become the biggest spenders among the G20 countries, a group composed of most of the world’s largest economies. Already, India has the largest population of any country in the world at an estimated 1.4 billion in 2023. According to the United Nations, that equates to …
What You Need to Know About India’s Agricultural Sector…and Opportunities for US Exports Read More »
China started this year by unveiling big plans to boost its agricultural production and minimize imports. However, Mother Nature seems intent on derailing those plans, at least for this growing season, with China’s farmers battling drought and scorching heat in the northern half of the country and extreme flooding in the south. High temperatures and …
China’s Recent Weather Extremes Could Drive Up Grain Imports Read More »
We have reached that time of year when it’s important to be scouting soybean fields for an array of yield-sapping pests and diseases. Catching problems early gives crops the best chance of minimizing yield loss, something that has become even more important amid razor-thin margins for many farmers. Just as important to identifying trouble in …
It’s Soybean Scouting Season – What You Need to Know Read More »
A few years ago, Americans were warned about “Asian Giant Hornets” – aka “murder hornets” – that were spotted in Washington state. While that menace seems to be under control for now, a new Asian hornet species known for its penchant for murdering honeybees has snuck into the US. The “Yellow-Legged hornet” feeds on a …
Honeybee Killing “Yellow-Legged Hornet” Invading US Read More »
Russia has declared a series of federal emergencies recently amid crop-damaging frosts and drought that are denting the country’s wheat prospects. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in its most recent June update trimmed Russia’s 2024-25 wheat production by -5 million metric tons (MMT) to 83 MMT. Other forecasters are even less optimistic, including local …
The effects of heat on the body are well known: over-heating strains the heart and kidneys, causes headaches, disrupts sleep, and slows cognition. In extreme cases, heat stroke can lead to multi-organ failure and even death! Heat stroke occurs when the body reaches an internal temperature of 104 degrees and above. By this point, blood …
Oklahoma City is the place to be this weekend if you are an auctioneer, or just a fan. The 2024 LMA Convention, hosted by the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), takes place from June 12th to 15th. The convention culminates on Saturday with what is no doubt the main attraction – the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship …
World Livestock Auctioneer Championship Comes to Oklahoma this Weekend Read More »
