Market Watch

Hog producers may be helped by the current recession because of lower feed costs, according to Purdue University Extension marketing specialist Chris Hurt.

“Lower costs in combination with smaller pork supplies in 2009 could be the combination that puts the industry back into profitability. Hog prices may actually increase a few dollars in 2009 as the [...]

Is there any basis for optimism that corn prices will increase as the marketing year progresses? Not much, according to University of Illinois Extension marketing specialist Darrel Good

“At this point, it is not clear where the fundamental support will come from to generate such a recovery. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, [...]

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Consumer Price Index decreased 1.0 percent in October after being virtually unchanged in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The consumer price index for all items less food and energy decreased 0.1 percent in October after increasing 0.1 percent in September.

The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods fell 2.8 percent in October, seasonally  adjusted.  This decrease followed a 0.4-percent decline in September and a 0.9-percent  fall in August.
Prices for goods other than foods and energy rose 0.4 percent for the  second consecutive month.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Stabilization of the financial markets and energy prices provide some support for corn and soybean prices now, but recovery in those markets will be required to fuel a meaningful post-harvest recovery for those crops, reports University of Illinois Extension marketing specialist Darrel Good.
“Final production estimates for U.S. corn and soybean crops will be released in [...]

U.S. productivity rose 1.1 percent in the nonfarm business sector in third-quarter  2008, as hours fell faster than output, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Unit labor costs grew 3.6 percent.
Manufacturing productivity declined 1.0 percent; unit labor costs increased  6.1 percent.
All rates are seasonally adjusted annual rates.

Dairy producers likely face negative profit margins this year as feed costs exceed milk prices, according to a University of Illinois Extension study.
“Higher feed costs will be the reason for the decrease in returns,” said Dale Lattz, U of I Extension farm financial management specialist who prepared the study, “Returns Exceed Costs for Dairy Producers [...]