Idaho Farm Bureau's Podcast

Clark Johnston market report: December Corn futures are up!

Milk production on the rise, product prices too! IFBF Podcast

WASHINGTON—USDA is forecasting a rise in both dairy production and dairy product prices. Stephanie Ho reports: From Capitol Hill, the current estate tax exemption level is set to expire in 2025. Family farms could be in peril if a permanent change isn’t made by Congress. The Chandler family north of Weiser had moments of panic and sheer terror as the Woodhead Fire burned into their grazing allotment threatening their cattle. The fire is still burning…I talked to Cody Chandler.

Johnston market report: Cattle market down double digits, wheat up double digits

Cattle market down double digits, is that normal? Clark Johnston's says yes!

US Wheat up double digits

It’s 45 degrees this morning in the Treasure Valley.  And a cool 44 in Poky, 40 in IF,  Northern Idaho, it's 42 this morning in CDA and a bit colder in Sandpoint…. Afternoon temps will hit the 50s and 60’s. On the markets, Dec. 20 Corn futures opening at $4.03…That was an all-time high on the front month continuation.  Up 16 cents from last week… Wheat opens up with huge gains across the board: The domestic wheat markets rallied double digits late Thursday demand is driving the market De...

USDA: Crop sizes smaller, record exports expected

The latest forecast from the Department of Agriculture predicts smaller crop sizes and the potential for record exports. Micheal Clements shares how those changes are having a shocking impact on markets. USDA's October crop reports show how smaller stocks are affecting other aspects of the crop balance sheets. Stephanie Ho reports from Washington We got word this past week that Idaho has a finalist in the American Farm Bureaus Farm Dog of the year, we drove out to Payette and visited the d...

Clark Johnston market report: Wheat and corn on the rise!

Wheat continues to rally after a drop on Friday. Corn finishes stronger too!

Local wheat soars, national bearish

It’s a cool 50 degrees this morning in the Treasure Valley.  It's a chilly 42 in Poky 39 in IF,  Northern Idaho, it's 52 this morning in CDA a bit colder in Sandpoint…. Afternoon temps will hit the 70s. On the markets, Dec. 20 Corn futures opening at $3.88 down 2 cents this morning but up 4 cents on the week. Wheat opens down across the board this week  Dec 20 CBOT Wheat is at $5.95, down 11 cents,  Dec 20 KCBT Wheat is at $5.29, down 15 cents,  Dec 20 MGEX Wheat is at $5.41, down 8 cents,...

After COVID, Changes in the Federal Milk Marketing Order

Changes in the 2018 farm bill and COVID-19 have cost dairy farmers millions of dollars. Micheal Clements shares how the unintended consequences could change the Federal Milk Marketing Order. The final Ag trade numbers for the 2020 fiscal year will soon be released, and some say they fall below 2019 numbers? Gary Crawford reports: Idaho Hop producers are rejoicing that the 2020 crop is in and it’ll be another record crop, we visited a new grower in Parma: Jefferson County held an AG day fo...

Johnston market report: Wheat markets experience strength

Weekend market report:Milk, corn bullish

It’s a cool 49 degrees this morning in the Treasure Valley.  Its a chilly40 in Poky 36 in IF,  Northern Idaho it's 49 this morning in CDA a bit colder in Sandpoint…. Afternoon temps will hit the 60s 70s. On the markets, Dec. 20 Corn futures trading at $3.82 up 3 cents. Corn futures continue to improve Wheat gave back some of the gains all this week… Dec 20 CBOT Wheat closed at $5.70 1/4, down 7 3/4 cents, Dec 20 KCBT Wheat closed at $5.06 1/2, down 3 1/4 cents, Dec 20 MGEX Wheat closed at...

Grain market: Bullish numbers in USDA report

Thanks for joining us, there were some surprises in the USDA’s reports on grain stocks and wheat production, Gary Crawford reports there are some bullish numbers: In Washington today, The American Farm Bureau Federation and other farm groups are calling on the White House to provide additional COVID-19 protection for farmworkers. Micheal Clements tells us why the additional support is needed. Idaho Farmers are harvesting corn, I visited with Farmer Terry Walton in Emmett, who says prices a...

Cool temps and cooler Wheat market: Monday market report

Welcome to the Monday market report… We had some chilly morning temps on Sunday and this morning is cold too… It’s a cool 48 degrees this morning in Boise’s Treasure Valley. The smoke has cleared out and rain on Friday night really knocked down the fires during North of here.  Its a chilly 35 in Poky 32 in IF, lows in the 50’s!  Northern Idaho it's 45 this morning in CDA a bit colder in Sandpoint…. Afternoon temps will hit the 60s 70s. On the markets, Corn trading at $3.65 up a cent over ...

Cattle trending up, wheat corn down

Welcome to the Weekend market report… It’s a pleasant 55 degrees this morning in Boise’s Treasure Valley. The smoke has started lifting again and clearing across the state.  It's a cooler in Poky and IF, lows in the 50’s!  Northern Idaho it's 55 this morning in CDA a bit colder in Sandpoint…. Afternoon temps will hit the 70s and 80’s. On the markets, Corn trading $3.65 down 10 cents this past week. Friday morning wheat trading has futures extending losses. SRW futures are down 1 to 2 cent...

Sugar beet harvest ahead of last year

Idaho Sugar beet harvest is underway, temps have been warm and progress is just ahead of last year. We asked USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, about this year's beet harvest nationwide: Once again that was Brad Rippey, Beet season is going great guns, but we need cooler temps. With harvest season in full swing across Idaho, This week marks Rail Safety week and the American Farm Bureau Federation is promoting safety tips for farmers and ranchers around railroad crossings. Micheal Clements rep...

Clark Johnston Market Report: Producers rejoice, wheat corn higher

Weekend market report: Corn and local wheat looking strong,

Welcome to the Weekend market report… It’s a  nice 55 degrees this morning in Boise’s Treasure Valley. The smoke has started lifting, the burn ban is still in effect, but it's going to clear out soon across the state.  It's colder in Poky and IF lows in the 50’s! Still a little warm for digging spuds in the afternoon.   Northern Idaho its 55 in CDA and Sandpoint…. Afternoon temps in the 70s and 80’s The warm temperatures will last a few more days, and fire danger remains high. On the marke...

World Wheat yields bolsters supply

New data shows the wheat crops of the two nations are very good, so much that they could greatly add to already record world-wheat production numbers and supplies. Rod Bain has more: Farm groups are asking Congress to ensure the USDA has the tools to help farmers. Chad Smith tells us they’re requesting funding to the Commodity Credit Corporation. The American Farm Bureau Federation is helping voters navigate the challenges of making sure their voice is heard in the 2020 election. Micheal C...

Global stocks of wheat increases

World wheat stocks increase with record yields in the US, Canada, and Australia.

The pandemic creates a record gap between beef prices and farm profits

The COVID-19 pandemic created a record gap between what consumers pay for beef and pork and the money received by farmers.   Micheal Clements tells us how big the gap is.. The Idaho dry bean harvest is starting to wrap up…we checked in with Winegar farms in Washington County. China continues to expand purchases of U.S. agricultural products. Gary Crawford reports: And despite a break in temperatures, there’s no let-up of dangerous fire conditions in the west:

December corn futures up 36-cents.

Weekend market report: Milk prices fall

Good Friday morning! It’s a warm 66 degrees this morning in Boise and the Treasure Valley.  We’re having another heatwave. It’s a cool 57 in Poky a bit cooler in IF. Northern Idaho, low 60s…. WE have warmer temps in store for the weekend, Perfect harvest weather. Corn futures rallied 5 cents on Thursday…Sep 20 Corn holding steady at $3.44, up a penny this past week. Winter wheat futures were in the red, but spring wheat futures start with an upwards trend. Chicago wheat opens day down by ...

Farm Price Index down from last year

A look at USDA's latest farm product price index report shows declines for many products, with a few notable exceptions. Gary Crawford has more: A new NRCS conservation compliance rule falls short of farmers' needs, that's according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Micheal Clements reports; US Ag Secretary Perdue is optimistic about agricultural trade with China. Stephanie Ho reports: The deadline is approaching for farmers who want to apply for USDA's Coronavirus Food Assistance P...

Clark Johnston Market Report-Both cattle markets open on a downtrend

Weekend market report: Corn rallies

Good Friday morning! It’s a cooler 58 degrees this morning in Boise and the Treasure Valley. It's a cool 55 in Poky a bit cooler in IF. Northern Idaho, 53…. WE have cooler temps in store for the weekend, Perfect harvest weather. Corn futures rallied 5 cents on Thursday…Sep 20 Corn opens at $3.45, up 10 cents this past week. Winter wheat futures rallied double digits on Thursday and open strong this morning CBOT traded wheat futures open up with double-digit gains. KC HRW wheat futures ope...

China buying US Crops

Increased new-crop sales to China have the attention of U.S. Agriculture. But as Micheal Clements shares, China needs to buy more to meet trade promises. USDA predicts Idaho will have the nation's highest yields for both fall and spring wheat. I checked in with the biggest broker in Southwest Idaho. Are retail food prices finally starting to come down from their high spring and summer levels? (Gary Crawford and Carolyn Chelius) And we asked Ag Economist Carolyn Chelius what the food price...

The Johnston Market Report--Wheat strong across the board

Milk drops, the wheat market picks up!

Weekend market report: Corn, wheat steady

Good Friday morning! It’s a warm 62 degrees this morning in Boise and the Treasure Valley. It's a warm 62 in Poky a bit cooler in IF. Northern Idaho, 60…. WE have warm temps but we’ll have cooler temps this coming week. Perfect harvest weather. Corn is staying steady with all that storm damage in the Midwest. Sep 20 Corn opens at $3.27, up a few more cents Hard red wheat futures joined Soft Red futures in the black with the morning bell today. HardRed futures climbed back from losses yest...

Beef market returns to 'normalcy'

Back in Washington, There are Changes to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program and there will be more relief to producers. Micheal Clements reports: After a very rough year for ranchers, The beef sector is gradually returning to some semblance of normalcy. Gary Crawford reports: The milk market has been a rollercoaster ride the past 5 weeks in Idaho and across the nation. One analyst says it's hard to make accurate predictions about what's going to happen in the dairy sector, but he's go...

Heat wave helps hot markets

Good Monday morning! It’s a warm 70 degrees this morning in Boise and the Treasure Valley. It's a cooler 64 in Poky and IF. Northern Idaho, 63…. WE have warm temps but we’ll have slightly cooler temps this coming week, but perfect farm weather for the week. With all the storm damage in the midwest Corn prices up with double-digit gains over the week: Sep 20 Corn opens at $3.25, up 10 3/4 cents At the closing bell on Friday, the domestic wheat futures markets were in the black. Chicago fu...

Corn opens with double digit gains!

It’s a cool 58 degrees this morning in Boise and the Treasure Valley. It's a cooler 55 in Poky and IF. Northern Idaho, 55. We have a cooling trend but we’ll have hot temps this coming week, should be perfect farm weather for the weekend. Corn still looking better with double-digit gains over the week: Sep 20 Corn opens at $3.25, up 10 3/4 cents At the closing bell on Thursday, the domestic wheat futures markets were in the black. Chicago futures open the day 5 to 6 cents higher. KC HRW f...

Farmers and ranchers get more COVID relief

Farm groups applaud the Department of Agriculture action to extend the deadline for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Micheal Clements shares why farmers and ranchers need more time to access the program. USDA has programs that can help small-scale meat processors. Stephanie Ho has more: The U.S. and China are working jointly on the investigation of those mass shipments of unsolicited garden seeds from China. Gary Crawford reports: South of Meridian, off the 10-mile road, kids are ...

Grain markets continue to trend lower

Milk trending down, hay too!

It’s a cool 55 degrees this morning in Boise and the Treasure Valley. It's a cooler 57 in Poky and IF. Northern Idaho, 55…. We have a cooling trend after hot temps this week, which should be perfect farm weather for the weekend. Corn still looking flat and Sept. 19 corn futures opens at $3.11 in Chicago, that just up a quarter-cent and trending down from last week. Front-month wheat futures continued to weaken this morning. SRW futures fell back by 9 cents. KC HRW futures were down by 8 ce...

Farm bankruptcies on the rise--COVID 19

Washington—Farm bankruptcies continue to rise, but the rate of new filings is slowing. Chad Smith says bankruptcy filings up eight percent from last year. The Senate introduced legislation last week that includes additional coronavirus relief funding for the Department of Agriculture. Funding that’ll help farmers and ranchers. Consolidation in the dairy industry has been ongoing for some time and with related trends the recent focus of USDA economic research. Rod Bain reports.

Monday markets steady-hay prices flat

Good Monday morning! It’s a warm 60 degrees this morning in Boise and the Treasure Valley. It's a cooler 57 in Poky and IF. Northern Idaho, 55…. The triple-digit temps we saw over the weekend are gone and it’ll be much cooler today across Idaho. With clear skies. Corn still looking flat Sept.19 corn futures opens at $3.15 in Chicago, that just up a quarter-cent. Wheat futures saw winter wheat contracts lower on Friday, and they open lower this morning with spring wheat firm to 2 cents hig...

Heatwave continues-all markets steady

It’s a toasty 66 degrees this morning in Boise and the Treasure Valley. It's a warm 60 in Poky and IF. Northern Idaho, 66….its going to be a great farming day with this heatwave continuing through the weekend, and into next week with clear skies. Let's take a look at corn: Sept. 19 corn futures opens at $3.15 in Chicago, that's up a quarter-cent. Wheat futures saw winter wheat contracts lower on Thursday, and they open lower this morning with spring wheat firm to 2 cents higher. KC wheat...

US Dairy: Reform Federal milk marketing orders

An extensive review by the American Farm Bureau Federation concludes with recommended changes to Federal Milk Marketing Orders. Micheal Clements shares what Farm Bureau members recommend to improve the program. The USDA has released a report on beef prices, they want to know why US ranchers are not seeing profits while meat prices soar. And after the COVID shutdowns, Beef processing plants are approaching normal slaughter rates. Gary Crawford reports:

Wheat rallies Friday for Monday markets

Wheat markets down most of last week before gaining back losses on Friday. Chicago up five and a half cents!

Milk prices climbing!

It’s a warm 60 degrees this morning in Boise and the Treasure Valley. It's a chilly 57 in Poky and IF. Northern Idaho, 51….its going to be a great farming day with clear skies and hot summer temps in the forecast over the weekend. Let's take a look at corn: Sept. 20 corn futures opens at $3.28 in Chicago, that's up a 1/2 cent. The wheat markets open this morning, weak. KC HRW futures fell the most with losses of as much as 7 cents. Soft RW wheat futures open 1 cent lower on the day. The n...

US Looks at trade surplus of red meat this year

On the eve of this year's Idaho dry bean harvest, Beans are in short supply and prices have doubled. Some changes being made to the Livestock Gross Margin Insurance program and may make it a more desirable option for cattle producers. The pandemic has really cut into beef exports and the US may import more beef than we export this year. And the U.S. red meat import situation during the first eight months of the 2020 fiscal year is looking like another trade surplus. 

Markets steady, cattle up!

It’s a warm 62 degrees this morning in Boise and the Treasure Valley. It's a 64 in Poky and IF. Northern Idaho, 54….its going to be a great farming day with clear skies and hot summer temps in the forecast over the weekend. Corn trading down this morning. Sep 20 Corn closed at $3.30 1/4, up 4 cents, Wheat futures fell back double digits following big Wednesday. Soft Red Winter wheat futures open down 8 cents in Chicago. KC opens 10 and a quarter lower, and Hard Red Spring opens down by as ...

Corn, Wheat Production down

The American Farm Bureau Federation wants improvements to the Paycheck Protection Program in the next coronavirus relief package. Micheal Clements has more. The USDA says U.S. corn production will be down in 2020. Stephanie Ho reports from Washington: Wheat exports are a big deal to our producers here in Idaho, this report should interest them, World wheat production could also be down in 2020: Farmers are finding new, and soon to be available, options regarding their crop insurance polic...

Good week for wheat futures!

Chicago September futures trading 42 cents higher!

Second crop of hay underway across Idaho

It’s a warm 62 degrees this morning in Boise and the Treasure Valley. Its a bit colder 55 in Poky and IF. Northern Idaho, 53….its going to be a good farming day with clear skies and hot summer temps in the forecast over the weekend. Corn trading down this morning. Jul 20 Corn futures open at $3.51, up 3 cents. The U.S. wheat markets open higher on Friday. SRW wheat was up the most with gains of 7 cents in the front months. HRW wheat was unchanged in July and Sept futures, but the deferred ...

Congress steps up help to livestock producers

Two new bills just introduced in Congress will help the livestock industry better serve consumers. Micheal Clements has more. Idaho ranchers are seeing changes in the cattle industry.  With COVID-19, the supply chain has been disrupted, now consumers are going straight to ranchers. It's smaller than it used to be, but the U.S. still has an agricultural trade surplus with the rest of the world. Gary Crawford reports: USDA has a host of programs and flexibilities to help agricultural produ...

Milk prices gain $2 this week

It’s a warmer 61 degrees this morning in Boise and the Treasure Valley. Its a bit colder 57 in Poky and IF. Northern Idaho, morning lows in the 50s…. it's going to be a good farming day with clear skies and warm temps in the forecast over the weekend. Corn trading down this morning. Jul 20 Corn futures open at $3.42, that down 5 cents. Friday opens ahead of the extended weekend and wheat futures are lower. KC HRW futures are the hardest, opening down by 7 cents. July HRW futures are down 1...

Trade Agreement Implemented

It’s been a long road to get here, but the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement takes effect on July 1st. Chad Smith has more. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer says the United States is ready for this monumental trade agreement. Whether you call it USMCA or NAFTA 2.0, that three-way trade U.S./Mexico/Canada trade agreement will be put into full operation this week and is the product of years of work.  There is optimism for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, which goes into f...

Soft White Basis strengthens as futures fall

Wheat market flat as we head into the 4th of July weekend.

Weekend Market Report: Cattle up, Milk steady

Good morning! It’s a warmer 64 degrees this morning in Boise and the Treasure Valley. It's 53 in Poky and IF. Northern Idaho, morning lows in the 60s…. it's going to be an excellent farming day with clear skies and warm temps in the forecast over the weekend. Corn trading a little down this morning. Jul 20 Corn futures open at $3.17, down 7 cents. Front-month SRW futures open with 5 1/2 cent gains in Chicago. The gains are stronger for the nearby markets. HRW wheat futures are up 3 cents....

New Waters of the US goes into effect

The Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection rule went into effect this week, a welcomed move by farmers and ranchers. Micheal Clements has more. Warm weather is back in the Western US and with the heatwave, there’s the number one concern in the heat: Beef supplies are increasing. Wholesale prices are tumbling. Will this mean lower prices for consumers? Gary Crawford The beef cattle industry is making progress in returning to normal.