Farms.com Risk Management's Moe Agostino.   (BlackburnNews.com photo)Farms.com Risk Management's Moe Agostino. (BlackburnNews.com photo)
Sarnia

Agostino: USDA Numbers Masking Crop Problems

A specialist with Farms.com Risk Management thinks we could see stronger corn and soybean prices later this year.

Moe Agostino says his own tour of the U-S crop-growing areas earlier this year showed a lot more problems than USDA numbers are suggesting.

He says he saw a lot of moisture and crops planted into wet grounds.

While many of those crops improved with less rain and hot weather, Agostino suggests that's only masking a problem that's going to show up when the combines start working.

He feels demand for soybeans and wheat remains strong, so any change made to final yield numbers could lead to a significant change in ending stock numbers from the USDA - a change that would put upwards pressure on prices to climb.

===

Agostino says he saw a lot of things in his own tour of the U-S crops this year which suggest there may be more problems than the USDA numbers are showing.

[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MOE-Crops-1.mp3"][/audio]

===

Agostino thinks those prices could climb as we near the end of the year.

[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MOE-Crops-2.mp3"][/audio]

===

Agostino is also suggesting farmers consider booking their fertilizer now for next year.

[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MOE-Crops-3.mp3"][/audio]

 

Read More Local Stories

New military crosswalk rendering. (Image courtesy of the Sarnia Legion Branch 62)

New military crosswalk in Sarnia to be unveiled

As part of a partnership between the Sarnia Legion Branch 62 and City of Sarnia, an unveiling ceremony will be held at the corner of Christina Street and Wellington Street on Sunday, June 7, at 2 p.m.

Members of the Sarnia Police Service entering a Tashmoo Avenue residence on June 4, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Police Service)

Two men arrested in Tashmoo Ave. standoff

Sarnia police said the investigation began on May 29 after the victim was allegedly attacked by acquaintances at a residence near Tashmoo Avenue and Christopher Drive at Aamjiwnaang First Nation.