Brooks Schaffer Market Report for Friday, March 20th
This is the SFN Market Report with Brooks Schaffer of Palmetto Grain. Reach him at brooks@palmettograin.com or 843-540-4540. After seeing Monday's selloff, it did not seem like we would be able to salvage much in the market this week. Yet by Thursday's session, both May and December corn managed new high closes for the...
Storms, Cold Fronts Drive Volatile March Weather Pattern
Well, it's that time of year - March Madness is upon us, and a lot of people think it's just for basketball. Oh no - here in the Carolinas, it's also a great description of our weather pattern. Over the last seven days, we've seen everything from 80-degree highs to 25-degree lows and everything in between. We've got st...
Powell: Iran War Impact on Commodity Markets is Concerning
The war with Iran is causing upheaval in the commodity markets. The early volatility has seen an increase in the price of corn and soybeans, but has included sharp setbacks. More concerning is the risk presented to U.S. farmers and consumers as the conflict in the Middle East drives energy and fertilizer prices higher....
Ratcliff to Give N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension's Small Farms Week 2026 Keynote
EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 18, 2026) - When Kimberly Ratcliff traded her successful career in corporate America for jeans, a cowboy hat and life on her family farm in Texas, she saw a large gap between big business and family farms simply working to make ends meet and provide the best agricultural products possible. ...
U.S. Dairy Banking on Renewing the USMCA Trade Agreement
U.S. agriculture groups are watching the pending negotiations between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada as the countries work on renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Tony Rice, the director of trade policy for the National Milk Producers Federation, said the USMCA is very important for the dairy industry and U.S...
Potentially Contaminated Infant Formula Still on Market
COLUMBIA - Following notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that a recalled infant formula is still being found for sale around the country, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture is urging retailers, food banks and food surplus outlets to check their facilities for the product. All batches of ByHeart ...
Trends in Precision Dairy Farming
What does precision agriculture look like in the dairy sector? A recent USDA study focused on that topic. Jonathan McFadden says drivers behind the increase of precision dairy applications include: "Linkage between consolidation, size economies and greater activity overall in the dairy sector afforded by these typ...
Fertilizer Supplies and Price Remain Major Concerns
This is not the time of year to run out of fertilizer. But the current problems in the Middle East could have a major impact on fertilizer supplies and prices. Louisiana State University AgCenter Economist Dr. Michael Deliberto. "Now, Iran holds some of the world's largest natural gas reserves, and natural gas is ...
There May Be Some Last-Minute Switching to Soybeans
The war in Iran is having a significant impact on U.S. energy and commodity markets. Ed Usset, an ag economist with the University of Minnesota, said the impact is mixed. "This war is really hard on the equity markets. You look at the stock indexes and oil prices going up. It's hard on the stock market. It's good ...
Farmers Union Reacts to Some Progress on Key Issues for U.S. Agriculture
President Donald Trump has acknowledged the growing consolidation in agriculture, particularly on the cattle packing side. Jeff Kipley is vice president of the National Farmers Union. "This is something we've been on for a long time, and it's great to finally get the attention of the administrations. You know, the...