Mother's Day

I know this is a tad bit late but better late than never. I just want to let all those mothers out there Happy Mother's Day and we really appreciate you and everything you have done for us over the years. I am so happy for everything my mom has done for me especially lately since I am moving for the summer. It is scarey enough moving, but leaving her is the hardest. She is making it easier though. So Thanks Mom for EVERYTHING!!

                

Could Soybeans Best Old Record of $16.63?

May 11, 2012

By: Fran Howard

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Soybean producers should be smiling as they wrap up the 2012-13 planting season.

USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, released May 10, showed that both U.S. and world ending stocks of soybeans are nearing record lows and analysts are not ruling out a spike in prices that bests the 2008 all-time high of $16.63 for the nearby futures contract.

First the numbers:

Ending stocks of soybeans were substantially lower than the trade anticipated, with old-crop ending stocks at 210 million bushels, compared with an average estimate of 221 million bushels. New-crop bean stocks were even lower at 145 million bushels, compared with an average trade estimate of 170 million bushels.

For the 2008-09 crop year, ending stocks fell to 138 million bushels. "This report puts soybean ending stocks right down there with 2008’s. The stocks-to-use ratio is well below 5%. This is very reminiscent of 2008," says Chad Hart, agricultural economist at Iowa State University. USDA left the 2012-13 soybean yield at 43.9, which could prove low if planting progress continues at its current pace and the growing season remains favorable.

"The soybean market is diverging quite a bit from the corn market," says Brian Basting, analyst with Advance Trading, Bloomington, Illinois. Basting was the commentator on an MGEX press conference call following the report. "We are looking at the impact of a much smaller crop in South America," Basting says.

World Supply and Demand

USDA now estimates the Argentine soybean crop at 42.5 million metric tons, but Basting says some analysts anticipate that production there will drop below 40 million tons by the time the final numbers are tallied. Brazil’s 65-million-metric-ton crop could also decline, he says.

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As China and other buyers turn to U.S. suppliers for soybeans in 2012-13, U.S. soybean exports could reach record-large levels. "USDA is implying a fundamentally bullish season through new harvest in South America," says Jack Scoville, market analyst with Price Futures Group, Chicago. The 2013 South American harvest will be the first real opportunity for U.S. soybean prices to back off, he adds.

"With stocks projections as tight as they are on both old and new crop, the market will be very sensitive to weather," Scoville states. "With any type of a hiccup, prices could be sharply higher. New records could be set—easily—but it will take weather to do that." He notes that the previous record-high soybean price was $16.63. "Can we do that again? Absolutely," he says.

After that, though, USDA is projecting a large rebound in world soybean production, with 2012-13 world production up 15 percent, compared to the current marketing year. "We are seeing a worldwide response to fill the soybean need," says Hart.

The Wildcards

As for exports, USDA has exports, primarily to China, rising over the next 18 months. "China has booked this year’s soybeans out of South America and those contracts are expected to be honored," Scoville notes. "Now China is buying new-crop out of the United States."

China shifted some soybean acreage into other crops, primarily corn and wheat, this year increasing its need to import soybeans, both for oil and animal feed. "We need to continue to watch China," says Hart. "Will U.S. exports to China hold up? Prices are getting close to the level that, if China is going to pull back, it will start to do that."

With animal numbers climbing globally, feeding should remain strong into the new marketing year, and analysts doubt that a minor slowdown in the global economy will do much to derail demand for animal products. "Maybe a few less T-bones will be served," says Scoville. "But USDA is implying good feed demand."

Perhaps, just like in 2008, the biggest wildcard today is Europe. "If Europe’s problems continue to spread, there is the possibility of slower economic growth globally and possibly even another global recession," Hart says. "But for now, global demand is climbing."

Finals....

Well guys it's finals week at the wonderful institution called Illinois State University. I know I should be studying just like the other normal students, but all I can think about is what am I going to do this summer and after school is actually over for me? I only have a year left of college and I will have my degree in agriculture that I have worked so hard for. But anyways, I should be studying but the only thing that keeps crossing my mind is what do I really want to do once I graduate. I know I want to work at an agriculture related business but the key term is where? I keep leaning towards ag retail and being a sales representative.
                                                              
Doesn't that sound fun? This is what I have worked the last three years for and still have a year left to work at. Honestly though, it is definitly worth everything I have put into this education. If I accomplish anything with this post, I hope I can put a spark into someone to look into going to college and enhancing their knowledge. Knowledge is power and even if you are going to just be on the farm managing it for the rest of your life, there are classes to help you make good decisions and keep your farm in good terms.
                                                       

farming's easy??? really??

What kind of boots?

There are many different boots out there. There are western, high heels, snow boots, work boots, and many more. The ones I want to focus on are the ones in agriculture and the working world. Western boots and work boots are the main boots being used. The people who wear these boots are hard workers. They are out on the farm taking care of animals, going out to the field, and so much more.

Western boot wearers are those people who are comfortable in these boots. You spend all day on your feet, walking and taking care of the farm.

Work boots are the ones getting dirty, working on equipment, going to the field, and the ones inside the pens with the animals. These people are very hard working. You will find more people on the road driving trucks and working construction. These people are the ones who help keep the country running.

These boots were made for walking and working and that is just what these people do. They help grow the food we eat and keep everything running smoothly. Without construction workers , we would have problems with the roads and bridges and basically would not be where we are today.

So in the end I ask this question what boots do you wear?? Or on the other hand, what boots do you want to wear?

Original toys

So growing up I had the luxury of toys and games but then I got the fun job of working! I helped out on the farm and learned how to take care of horses. I always loved helping my parents and grandparents or locking the stall hands in the stalls, sorry nick and chad!!! But then I grew up and learned how to tie the doors shut so they deffinitly could not get out, again sorry guys! What are your guy's favorite stories growing up?

Successful Interveiws and Resumes

This is for all you people who are looking for jobs. These are just going to be little tips on how to have an effective interview and hopefully that will help get you the job.  Interviews are so important and basically determine whether or not you get the job.  It is always important to impress who you are talking to but you also do need to stay true to yourself. To get help with any of these there are workshops, the internet, books, and so much more. All you need to do is look.

First of all you need to dress for success.

                Dressing properly is always helpful and makes it look like you are really taking the opportunity seriously. Men should wear dress pants and a dress shirt that is tucked in. A tie and dress shoes won’t hurt either. Women should wear a knee length skirt or dress pants with dress shoes and dress shirt. A blazer would look nice too but not always necessary. Another pointer for women is to have at least half your hair put back because your hair could cause a distraction. Men should also watch their hair but it’s mainly facial hair. If you have any, make sure it is cleaned up or shave your face clean.

Secondly, make a resume.

                A resume is an important factor in an employer’s decision making process. A resume will tell your education, work experience, and other important things regarding your life. One look at this will basically tell the employer whether or not you deserve an interview or not. The resume should be error free and be in the correct format. It doesn’t hurt to have some references at the bottom as well. You can find things on the internet or in the library to help you build a resume.

Finally, First impressions last for a life time.

                A good first impression can get you places, bad first impressions will most likely get you a one way trip out the door. You want to let the interviewer basically set the environment but from there you need to be talking 70% of the time and let them talk about 30% because this is a way for them to get to know about you not the other way around. Make sure to shake their hand firmly and adjust to the different people in the room or in different interviews. You are selling yourself to this person, so be a good salesperson and sell yourself to the best of your abilities.