Dave Donnan 🇨🇦

Daily news recap for 24.05.24 📈 Chicago wheat futures were virtually flat on Friday, taking a breather at the end of what could be its biggest weekly climb in a month as concerns over crop losses in the Black Sea region and other exporting countries supported prices. Corn futures and soybeans also strengthened. https://lnkd.in/ejebPPhF 🌧️ Indian government expects a normal monsoon to ease food inflation and cushion its economy from a possible rise in global commodity prices due to geopolitical tensions. India's retail inflation rate eased slightly to 4.83% in April although food prices remained elevated. Food inflation, which accounts for nearly half of the overall consumer price basket, rose 8.70% in April, compared with a 8.52% rise in the previous month. https://lnkd.in/eyR8Xps8 🌾 Weather conditions for Ukrainian grain crops are still largely favourable despite the lack of rain in the first half of May. Ukrainian state weather forecaster said this week that recent frosts in the east, north and centre of Ukraine had not caused significant damage to grain and oilseed crops. https://lnkd.in/eSmrQnga 🚢 South Korea (NOFI) bought an estimated 137 tmt of corn in an international tender on Friday from South America or South Africa. It was bought in two consignments, one at an estimated $246.51/mt C&F from trading house Bunge and the other at $245.50/mt C&F from Olam. https://lnkd.in/eZs4Zz5d 🌽 South Korea (FLC) purchased around 65 tmt of corn expected to be sourced from South America or South Africa in a private deal on Friday without issuing an international tender. The corn was purchased at an estimated $247.49/mt C&F with an additional $1.50/mt surcharge for additional port unloading. Seller was believed to be trading house Cofco. https://lnkd.in/edvZPQqP

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Why Agribusiness Shouldn’t Overlook Seasoned Employees https://buff.ly/3ZLNjwL In agribusiness, the race for innovation and efficiency often leads companies to prioritize hiring younger employees—seen as the perfect blend of energy and adaptability. While this group brings value, there’s a growing argument that agribusiness companies might be missing out by not tapping into the skills and wisdom of more seasoned employees with years of experience. Here’s why experienced professionals could be the secret ingredient to your agribusiness success: #AgribusinessSuccess #ExperienceMatters #WisdomInAgriculture #DiversityInTheWorkforce #AgCareers #WorkforceBalance #AgricultureInnovation #SeasonedProfessionals #HiringForSuccess #AgIndustryLeadership

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Dairy value sales will balloon to over $1tr in the next decade as the sector combats myriad issues by adopting emerging food technologies like precision fermentation and cellular agriculture, reports Food Navigator: https://buff.ly/3BcLVus #dairy #report #foodtech

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THE LIQUIDITY OF ILLINOIS GRAIN FARMS: WORKING CAPITAL TO OPERATING EXPENSE RATIO BY FARM SIZE — by Gerald Mashange, Bradley Zwilling and Dwight Raab The liquidity of Illinois grain farms has significantly improved over the past two decades. However, when we examine the size of the farms, we notice distinct differences in liquidity trends. We find that larger grain farms, as measured by their gross farm returns, have historically been less liquid than smaller farms. As of 2023, small grain farms’ median working capital to operating expense ratio was 1.40 (strong). In contrast, the median ratio for medium-sized grain farms was 0.908 (strong), and 0.633 (strong) for large grain farms. While the quality of these ratios is positive, they have been on a downward trend. Given the USDA’s projected decline in farm incomes for 2024 and the uncertainties yet to be determined in 2025, it will be important for farm operations to maintain strong liquidity positions. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eC5vEkHu #Illinois #grain #farms #liquidity #capital #expenses #income

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THE LIQUIDITY OF ILLINOIS GRAIN FARMS: WORKING CAPITAL TO GROSS FARM RETURNS RATIO — by Gerald Mashange, Bradley Zwilling and Dwight Raab Our analysis of Illinois grain farms’ working capital to gross farm returns ratios reveals substantial improvements in farm liquidity over the past two decades. Despite experiencing a notable decline between 2014 and 2019, the median ratio has shown resilience, progressing from a cautionary level of 0.2212 in 2003 to a strong level of 0.7134 in 2023. Overall, this trend reflects both structural changes in farm balance sheets and the impact of market conditions on the liquidity of Illinois grain farms. As we enter 2025, the continued monitoring of liquidity measures remains crucial as farms navigate evolving market conditions, uncertainty, and cost pressures. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eNHkf23r #Illinois #grain #farms #liquidity #capital #markets #costs

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Daily 2-min read news headlines for 26.04.24 🔹 Chicago wheat ticked lower on Friday but was still up 9% this week after dryness in parts of Russia and the United States triggered a wave of short-covering. Corn and soybeans also inched down, with market participants monitoring weather prospects for U.S. planting. https://lnkd.in/d3Y3j_3y 🔹 EU cuts 2024/25 wheat crop forecast to new four-year low. https://lnkd.in/dnTbCfCt 🔹 Top Russia Grain Trader Changes Name Amid Dispute With Regulator. https://lnkd.in/dh-YjDGv 🔹 Turkey’s TMO in the market with durum export tender for May-June loading. https://lnkd.in/dUmT4fjE 🔹 Polish government approves financial aid plan for farmers. https://lnkd.in/dXJSNQ6h

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How do our food stores support local in a global food system? Listen in to this conversation between Agricultural Economist & Strategist Michelle Klieger, Grower & Food System Researcher Peter Konjoian, and our own Rebecca Joy Henrietta White. 🍓 🌽

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Daily 2-min read news headlines for 30.04.24 🔹 Chicago wheat futures on Tuesday fell further from last week's four-month highs as forecasts for rain in key Russian cropping regions eased supply concerns. Soybean and corn futures also slipped amid plentiful supply. https://lnkd.in/gdSmHAKC 🔹 Two more wheat ships headed for Egypt are facing delays in Russia. https://lnkd.in/gt9sMVQa 🔹 Ukraine barley exports seen high in May, producers say. https://lnkd.in/gCkwgGAZ 🔹 South Korea's MFG buys up to 134 tmt of corn for August arrival, at discount. https://lnkd.in/gSrd9c6T 🔹 Jordan made no purchase in tender for 120 tmt of wheat, traders say. https://lnkd.in/gasvNfam 🔹 Turkey provisionally sells 100 tmt of durum in export tender. https://lnkd.in/gPSjVVeZ

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“Because of the increased [food] prices, there’s more motivation for businesses to be adopting some of the [food waste] technologies,” ReFED executive director Dana Gunders tells us. Jeffrey Costantino | Alejandro Enamorado #foodwaste #anaerobicdigesters #circulareconomy #insectfarming #supplychain #UnitedStates #investment #AgFunder #AgFunderNews #AGFUNDERGLOBAL24

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In a recent episode of VegTech Invest’s Upside & Impact: Investing for Change podcast, USDA Deputy Under Secretary Sanah Baig, shared important statistics around small farmers in America. Listen in to learn how food systems transformation can help small and generational farmers. Link to the full podcast is in the comments. #farmers #foodsystemstransformation #agriculture

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The most successful and sustainable dairy producers are looking for ways to pinpoint profitability, and perhaps one of the greatest opportunities that lies ahead is in technology that can predict with even greater precision which cows are truly the most profitable in the herd. DFC, Michigan Dairy Tech and Western Dairy Tech, sees the challenges of market volatility and tight margins that producers are facing, as well as the opportunities for automation, data and machine learning to empower decisions on the individual cow level that lead to the overall ability to run a better dairy farming business. “They need to find the most profitable cows, And it is probably not the cow making the most solids.” With a background in computer technology, DFC had worked directly and tirelessly with dairy producers for more than two decades to bring networking, software and automation to the farm. DFC believes we have yet to harness the possibilities of what integration can achieve. “When you combine all of these cow data points with computers automating the decisions of how to handle each cow, that is when this gets powerful. These are the three technologies that he believes house the untapped potential for per-cow profitability: 1) Automation – “Automation is supposed to control the things you can control. That makes sense in a manufacturing environment,” DFC’s Chairman says, “One of the benefits of automation is using data from two ‘dumb’ systems to make a smart decision elsewhere.” 2) Big data – “Big data is the ability to collect data on every aspect of your operation,” he adds. “The more data points you have, the more informed decisions you can make.” 3) Machine learning – Machine learning takes automation and big data to the next level. “Automation used to be a binary operation. With machine learning, it can now make inferences in real time,” he explains. Likewise, machine learning simplifies big data. “Big data without machine learning is just a pile of data, “ he adds. “There is too much information for the human brain to weed through and find patterns. So what could be possible for a more profitable cow with the combined power of automation, big data and machine learning? Decisions based on real-time biological data, like using the individual cow’s energy balance as an indicator for breeding versus a standard voluntary waiting period. Or accurate dry matter intake information to prompt pen moves from the fresh to high production group, instead of moves made at a pre-determined days in milk (DIM).

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The FDRS is pleased to announce the release of Volume 55, Issue 3 of the Journal of Food Distribution Research (JFDR). This issue features compelling research on critical topics impacting the food industry: *The Effect of Amazon Prime on Sales Ranks by Chinonso E. Etumnu and Ashraf Noumir: This study examines the growing influence of Amazon Prime on the food distribution landscape. https://lnkd.in/e8c3Wtvk *Reactions to Food Safety Recalls among Food Insecure and Food Secure Households by Mariah Beverly, Clinton L. Neill, and Kimberly L. Morgan: An important analysis of how different households respond to food safety information. https://lnkd.in/ezjrEAgM *Predicting Firm Diversification in Agri-Food Value Chains by Andrew W. Stevens, Jim Teal, Christa D. Court, Gigi DiGiacomo, Michelle Miller, and Hikaru Hanawa Peterson: This research provides valuable insights into the dynamics of diversification within the agri-food sector. https://lnkd.in/eZVyvgwM Access the full issue here: https://lnkd.in/eK8ivmFd #FoodDistribution #FoodResearch #FDRS #AmazonPrime #FoodSafety #AgriFood #ValueChains #AcademicResearch #FoodIndustry

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Margins are key when understanding what to spend, rates of products to apply, what practices to maintain….and the list goes on and on. And finally how to shape your #budget. The University of Illinois recently published a study regarding a vision of reality in the coming days, months and years. The data is real and frightening. Becoming more efficient with manpower, time, and application is vital to surviving the increased cost of everything that farmers and producers spend on a yearly basis. Mixed with low commodity prices, it’s a bad recipe. #Sprig is here to help. It’s time we all start thinking #proactive vs #reactive, because if we don’t times will indeed, get tough. Alexis D. Scott, MA ATP CFII Stratten Swanner https://lnkd.in/egsBZ9c9

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BW-Fusion, Biodyne-USA and Agronomy 365 have announced their merging, supported by Bain Capital Double Impact, to create an integrated platform for crop nutrition + grower support. The combined company will offer growers more effective and sustainable biologicals at every stage of the crop nutrition cycle. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g7-qWiVg

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Interesting report, to give some insights on current and projected precision agtech adoption. The link for the 2023 full report can be found in the article. #agtech #precisionfarming https://lnkd.in/dcPvVVn7

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Fermented Non-Dairy Non-Alcoholic Beverages Market Dynamics and Future Growth Opportunities https://lnkd.in/gaSU3p9p Fermented Non-Dairy Non-Alcoholic Beverages Market was valued at US$ 3.73 billion in 2022 and is predicted to increase to US$ 5.64 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 4.12% over the forecast period. Fermented non-dairy non-alcoholic beverages have gained significant traction in recent years, driven by growing consumer awareness of health benefits associated with probiotics and plant-based diets. This report aims to provide insights into the current state and future prospects of this burgeoning market segment. The market for fermented non-dairy non-alcoholic beverages has witnessed robust growth due to various factors such as increasing health consciousness among consumers, rising demand for plant-based alternatives, and growing awareness of lactose intolerance and dairy allergies. These beverages are typically made from plant-based ingredients such as soy, coconut, almonds, oats, and rice, which undergo fermentation processes to enhance their nutritional profile and flavor. Receive the FREE Sample Report: https://lnkd.in/gK9vA2aC Key Market Drivers: Health Consciousness: Consumers are increasingly seeking healthier beverage options, driving demand for fermented non-dairy alternatives known for their probiotic content and digestive health benefits. Plant-Based Trend: The growing popularity of plant-based diets, fueled by concerns over sustainability and animal welfare, has spurred the adoption of non-dairy beverages as alternatives to traditional dairy products. Lactose Intolerance and Dairy Allergies: Rising awareness of lactose intolerance and dairy allergies has led consumers to explore non-dairy options, driving demand for fermented beverages made from plant sources. Market Segmentations: By Company: Thurella KeVita Good Karma Foods Millennium Products Health-Ade Konings Bionade Reed’s Fentimans GT’s Living Foods By Type: Dairy Free Drinkable Yogurts Fermented Soft Drinks Fermented Juices Non-Dairy Kefir Others By Application: Modern Trade Specialty Stores Convenience Stores Online Retailers Regional Analysis: The regional analysis of the global market provides insights into the market's performance across different regions of the world. The analysis is based on recent and future trends and includes market forecast for the prediction period. The countries covered in the regional analysis of the market report are as follows: North America: The North America region includes the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The U.S. is the largest market for Fermented Non-Dairy Non-Alcoholic Beverages in this region, followed by Canada and Mexico. The market growth in this region is primarily driven by the presence of key market players and the increasing dem

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One Step Closer (OSC) just published a paper to explore and underline the critical role that Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies play in expanding the regenerative agriculture market, and included a quote from Transformational Investing in Food Systems: "CPG brands, farmers, and investors need to align to build a market for a regenerative, equitable, and climate-resilient food systems. Together, we can create markets that nourish communities, improve soils, and increase biodiversity." Rex Raimond, Director, TIFS

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