CoBank

The speed of the economic recovery will largely hinge on the availability, dissemination, and reach of COVID-19 vaccines, pushing a pent-up consumer demand to later in 2021. That’s according to a comprehensive year-ahead outlook report just issued from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange Division. “The c ...

CoBank said the U.S. economy has shown signs of improving since late spring. However, progress has slowed, and the economy remains fragile. With another relief package is off and then on the table, for now, CoBank says the economy will remain sluggish through the end of the year ...

CoBank says the recent rebound in the U.S. economy is real; the sharpest post-shutdown economic gains are almost certainly behind us; and a long grind to shore up a shaky economy lies ahead. Despite COVID-19, U.S. grain has been moving and basis has generally tightened since April 1st ...

COVID-19 is dramatically affecting consumer habits and dairy supply chains as food service demand plummets and grocery sales take off. Consumers struggling with job losses and economic uncertainty quickly returned to buying basic dairy products like fluid milk, commodity cheese, and butter ...

A new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange says the ethanol industry may have to diversify itself in the future. The report said excess production capacity and reduced demand will force the U.S. ethanol industry to “transform its business model to create more value and improve its operational efficiency.” CoBank ...

Damage to the U.S. meat industry is piling up fast, from closed processing plants to producers with nowhere to send livestock, to retail customers paying higher prices. Now, market analysts are starting to weigh in.​ CoBank analyst Will Sawyer said producer losses are topping anything seen in years. ...

A recent CoBank report says agricultural retailers look to be in good shape as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The report said Ag retailers are on “relatively firm footing” as they prepare for spring after last year’s complicated agronomy season. CoBank’s ...

A new report from CoBank suggests more challenges are ahead for Rural America and agriculture.  CoBank recently released its report, “The Year Ahead: Forces That Will Shape the U.S. Rural Economy in 2020”.  The trade environment for 2020 remains hazy, according to CoBank, which says beyond a possible U.S.-China Phase One de...

Grain elevators nationwide face significant challenges in the year ahead as they buy basis on corn, soybeans and wheat at the highest levels seen in years, according to a new report.  CoBank reported basis for the three major grains is significantly tighter across the country from strong end-user bids, limited pipeline supplies, and lack of farmer selling amid an uncertain fall harvest.  ... Read

Since the 2018 Farm Bill removed industrial hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, agriculture has never been more interested in adding hemp to its crop rotations.  A lot of available information says there’s a large financial upside to the industry.  Producer...