Bruce Blythe http://www.dairyherd.com/editorial/bruce-blythe RSS Feed for Bruce Blythe en-us Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:43:00 GMT Oil expected to average $100 in 2012, boosting ag producer costs http://www.dairyherd.com/editorial/bruce-blythe/Oil-expected-to-average-100-in-2012-boosting-ag-producer-costs-137045518.html U.S. benchmark crude oil prices are expected to average over $100 a barrel in 2012 and touch an all-time high amid global economic growth, signaling continuing high energy costs for farmers already squeezed by increasingly expensive fuel. Analysts expect corn supply cuts, lower S. American crops http://www.dairyherd.com/editorial/bruce-blythe/USDA-seen-showing-smaller-corn-supply-lower-S-America-crops-136970103.html U.S. corn stockpiles at the beginning of December were nearly 7 percent smaller than a year earlier after ethanol producers ramped up to record levels and the 2011 harvest fell short of expectations, according to grain market analysts. Chicago Grain Markets: Ag futures under pressure to start 2012 http://www.dairyherd.com/editorial/bruce-blythe/Chicago-Grain-Markets-Ag-futures-under-pressure-to-start-2012-136805223.html Vance publishing business editor Bruce Blythe runs down Chicago ag futures action in the first trading week of the new year, which saw corn extend a rally amid concerns heat and dryness will cut Argentina's crop. CME ag trading slumped in late 2011 as commodity rally deflated http://www.dairyherd.com/editorial/bruce-blythe/CME-trading-slumped-in-late-2011-as-commodity-rally-deflates-136703698.html Agriculture trading at CME Group Inc. hit a record in 2011 amid soaring prices for corn, cattle, hogs and milk, though business slumped late in the year as a commodity rally deflated and big broker MF Global Ltd. collapsed. Dryness threatens S. America crops, ignites corn rally http://www.dairyherd.com/editorial/bruce-blythe/Dryness-threatens-South-American-crops-ignites-corn-rally-136622063.html Hot, dry conditions plagued major crop growing regions of Argentina and Brazil over the past two months, igniting a rally in Chicago’s grain markets and posing the threat of further shrinkage in global corn supplies after the U.S. harvest fell short of expectations. Milk, livestock rare standouts amid broader 2011 commodity slump http://www.dairyherd.com/editorial/bruce-blythe/Milk-livestock-rare-standouts-amid-broader-2011-commodity-slump-136330778.html Dairy products and cattle outperformed crude oil and most other commodities in an otherwise mostly-weak year for prices of the raw materials used to feed and fuel the global economy. Grocery inflation slows but dairy, meat prices still up http://www.dairyherd.com/editorial/bruce-blythe/Grocery-inflation-slows-but-beef-pork-prices-still-up-sharply-135747038.html Supermarket food inflation slowed last month, though retail beef prices remained on pace for the largest increase in seven years and pork was on track for the biggest jump in 15 years, a reflection of smaller herds and robust demand from China and other top export markets. Europe’s woes raise worrisome specter for U.S. agriculture http://www.dairyherd.com/editorial/bruce-blythe/Europes-woes-raise-worrisome-specter-for-US-agriculture-135682398.html Europe’s widening financial mess is a source of growing concern in American agriculture, raising the specter of a global recession that would curb demand for many farm products, such as Tim Haas’ Kobe beef. Tight margins likely cut November feedlot placements http://www.dairyherd.com/editorial/bruce-blythe/Feedlot-placements-likely-fell-in-November-amid-tight-margins-135532013.html The number of cattle sent to feedlots for fattening likely fell for the second consecutive month during November as expensive corn hurt beef producers’ profit margins, several analysts said. Chicken industry faces consolidation after "disastrous" expansion http://www.dairyherd.com/editorial/bruce-blythe/Report-Chicken-industry-faces-consolidation-after-disastrous-exp-135463053.html The U.S. chicken industry requires significant changes following a “disastrous” expansion phase, meaning larger, stronger producers likely will buy smaller, weaker counterparts amid growing losses from high feed costs and a weak economy, Rabobank Group analysts said.