Drawing of an adult Khapra beetle. (GrainsCanada.gc.ca)

Beetles halt U.S. DDGs exports to Thailand

Chicago | Reuters — Exports of U.S. distillers’ dried grains to Thailand have stopped due to new fumigation requirements installed after beetles were discovered in a shipment last year, U.S. traders said on Friday. Thai government officials said U.S. shipments required certificates showing they had been “properly fumigated.” Traders said sales had effectively been halted […] Read more



U.S. grains: Soybeans drop as export sales to China disappoint

U.S. grains: Soybeans drop as export sales to China disappoint

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures dropped to two-week lows on Wednesday as renewed export sales to China following a trade war truce between Washington and Beijing fell short of expectations. Corn futures also declined on a slowdown in production of corn-based ethanol, while wheat dropped nearly two per cent in light trading, pressured […] Read more


Valero Energy’s ethanol plant at Aurora, S.D., about 90 km north of Sioux Falls. (Valero.com)

U.S. ethanol producers seek reforms as markets plunge, ADM sells

New York/Chicago | Reuters — U.S. ethanol producers stung by collapsing prices are seeking changes to the way benchmark values for the biofuel are established, arguing the current system used by exchanges is vulnerable to manipulation, according to sources. The push comes as the key farm belt industry struggles with weak demand growth, a loss […] Read more

Valero Energy’s ethanol plant at Aurora, S.D., about 90 km north of Sioux Falls. (Valero.com)

U.S. EPA lifts 2019 biofuels mandate

Washington | Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday lifted its annual blending mandate for advanced biofuels, drawing praise from the U.S. biofuels industry, but disappointment that the government had not done more to protect the agricultural market. Under the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard, oil refiners must blend increasing amounts of biofuels into […] Read more



A double rainbow over a Manitoba soybean field. (ImagineGolf/iStock/Getty Images)

U.S. grains: Soybeans firm on fund-driven buying

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures firmed modestly on Wednesday in largely technical trade along with fund-driven buying and strength in allied soymeal futures, analysts said. Corn futures declined and wheat fell on technical selling. Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) November soybean futures settled up one cent at $8.85-3/4 per bushel but stayed below […] Read more


(ThamKC/iStock/Getty Images)

Expanding E15 sales would have limited U.S. market impact, analysts say

Chicago | Reuters — The Trump administration’s plan to allow year-round sales of higher-grade corn ethanol would have limited impact on the depressed U.S. ethanol market, with record supplies and prices for the fuel hovering near the lowest in a decade, analysts said. President Donald Trump announced the decision last week ahead of a campaign […] Read more

World crop briefs: China seeks cuts to soy in feed

CNS Canada — The China Feed Industry Association is proposing soybean meal in hog rations be reduced, to offset rising costs and reduced supplies caused by the U.S.-China trade war. China imported about 87 per cent of its soybean needs last year and one-third of that came from the U.S., according to a report in […] Read more