News

K-State farm management economist Gregg Ibendhal covers his brand-new analysis of Kansas grain farm expenses trends. He used 42 years of Kansas Farm Management Association Data to identify trends in machinery, seed, fertilizer and herbicide, interest payments, and other expense categories. He says this is a good indicator of where producers should concentrate their cost management.

K-State livestock economist Glynn Tonsor tells of a brand-new study he co-authored, which investigated the impact of plant-based protein products on consumer demand for beef in the U.S. This was done by way of a national survey, and it measured the preferences of traditional meat consumers and alternative diet consumers In general, beef scores very well in the majority of the findings.

Guy Allen takes a deep dive into the USDA's latest world grain supply-and-demand report released this week. He talks about tightening wheat, soybean and corn stocks in the U.S. and globally, and the expected impact of South American new-crop supplies coming onto the market, and lends his perspective on China's demand for grain imports, largely fueled by its expanding livestock production sector, and how long that demand might be sustained.

K-State farm management economist Gregg Ibendahl offers his outlook on oil price trends in 2021, and the ensuing impact on the gasoline and diesel prices that farmers will be dealing with...he says that the rate that those prices increase will depend on how quickly the oil industry recovers from the market damage caused by the pandemic.

K-State agricultural policy specialist Jenny Ifft looks at the factors affecting row crop producers' crop insurance decisions this spring, and how two new options might figure in:  the supplemental coverage and enhanced coverage options. She reviewed these alternatives in a K-State Risk-and-Profit session this week.

The senior economist with the IGP Institute at K-State, Guy Allen, offers his latest perspectives on the global grain market, following the USDA's monthly world grain supply-and-demand report released this week. He talks about where the U.S. is currently positioned internationally, with the greatest emphasis once again being on China's demand for feedgrains and oilseeds.He also looks at what's happening on the world wheat production and export front, and where the U.S. stands in that market.

K-State agricultural economist Brian Coffey talks about futures hedging as a livestock risk management tool...he'll be presenting information on using options for that purpose during a special K-State Risk and Profit session online this Wednesday.

K-State farm management economist Gregg Ibendahl tells of a brand-new online tool now available to farmers and landlords for comparing various cropland leasing options. It's called the Lease Simulation Tool, which he says greatly simplifies the process while capturing all the variables that go into a good lease agreement decision.