News Snippets

Posted by Nogger - a legend in his own mind at 10:21 | Categorized as

02/11/10 -- Ukraine's 1 million hectares of winter rapeseed is 98% germinated, according to the Ag Ministry. That's a lot better than this time last year when only 75% made germination after scant autumn rains. They peg 48% of the crop as being in good condition and 38% in satisfactory condition.

The USDA surprised the market last night by dropping its wheat good/excellent rating by one point to 46%. Kansas good/excellent was only 38%. La Nina continues to hurt hard wheat on the Plains whilst bringing beneficial moisture to the soft white wheat areas on the Pacific Northwest. Washington good/excellent was 88%.

FCStone were out with their 2010 production and yield estimates last night, with their soybean estimates higher and their corn numbers lower than last months USDA figures. Informa are due out with their numbers later today.

The HGCA have revised their 2010 Planting Survey results following Defra's revision of the June 2009 survey estimates for England. The new figures show a smaller GB wheat area for the 2010 harvest than had earlier been estimated. They now peg 2010 wheat area at 1.95 million hectares, compared to earlier estimates of 1.99 million. Barley and OSR sowings were also revised slightly lower. Full estimates are here.

The results of Egypt's latest wheat tender are expected this afternoon. It could be a close call between French and US wheat given recent currency fluctuations. Canadian wheat may also be in with a shout.

The early summer drought and heatwave followed by a wet finish to the growing season means that only 10.05 MMT of the EU-27 barley crop will make malting standards, according to Strategie Grains. That's a decline of 30% on last season.