After year-end surge, farmers’ financial confidence wavers
Strong harvest-time commodity prices pushed farmer confidence to its highest level in 16 months, said a Purdue University poll of large operators released on Tuesday. The abrupt 24-point climb in the Ag Economy Barometer “was motivated by producers’ stronger perception of current financial conditions on their farms,” said agricultural economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier.
USDA corn estimates are accurate overall, says review
The government often is the best source of information about U.S. corn plantings, yields per acre, production and likely season-average prices, said three researchers who analyzed 80 studies on the accuracy and market impact of USDA reports involving corn. “USDA helps uncover these market conditions for all market participants, thereby providing a level playing field for all, even though the process is sometimes bumpy,” they concluded.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Drought weakens in West: Heavy rain and snowfall is forecast through January in the U.S. West, “and drought is expected to broadly improve over the Far West, much of the Great Basin and adjacent Intermountain West.” But drought will remain in the wheat-growing Plains. (NOAA)
Carbon pipelines on agenda: Republican leaders say the Iowa Legislature will consider new guidelines, but not a ban, for carbon pipelines during this year’s session. (Radio Iowa)
Wolf reintroduction in Colorado: To carry out a voter-passed referendum, state wildlife officials unveiled a plan to release 10 to 15 gray wolves annually over the next three to five years on Colorado’s Western Slope in an effort to re-establish a wolf population in the state. (Colorado Newsline)
International Year of Millets: The United Nations has designated 2023 as the International Year of Millets, a group of small-seeded grains that grow on arid land and are resilient to climate change; “an ideal solution” for countries seeking larger domestic food production. (FAO)
Heitkamp leads politics institute: Former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, the first woman elected to the Senate from North Dakota, succeeded political mastermind Dave Axelrod as director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago on Tuesday. (IOP)
