News&Events
18.02.2024
NIOP 2024
Participating in the National Institute of Oilseed Products 2024 convention.
March 17 to March 19 in Omni Rancho, Las Palmas. See you there!
Organization web site https://niop.org/annual-convention-2024/
March 17 to March 19 in Omni Rancho, Las Palmas. See you there!
Organization web site https://niop.org/annual-convention-2024/
Global agribusiness giant Cargill has awarded US$2.5M to the Forever Green Initiative at the University of Minnesota to support research into two novel oilseed crops – winter camelina and domesticated winter pennycress – for use as low-carbon fuel feedstocks, World Grain wrote. The crops would also help protect soil health, improve water quality and boost farmers’ income, the 5 February report said.
“Winter camelina and domesticated pennycress have the potential to address key sustainability challenges in agricultural supply chains, including water quality concerns and demand for low-carbon fuel feedstocks,” Cargill crop innovation director Lyle DePauw was quoted as saying.
The five-year grant would accelerate research into crop biology and management and all research results would be made public, World Grain wrote.
“This support from Cargill … will greatly advance our research and help make these crops a reality for farmers,” Forever Green Initiative associate director Mitch Hunter was quoted as saying.
Grown off-season and with few inputs, winter camelina and pennycress produced seed-based oils that could be refined into drop-in replacements for jet fuel and diesel, Hunter added.
Oil produced from the two crops could also be used in food, biopolymers and other industrial applications, and the high-protein meal could be used for animal feed, he added.
A research platform at the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, the Forever Green Initiative is researching a portfolio of more than 15 new perennial and winter-annual crops, which could be integrated with common Midwest crops such as corn, soyabeans and wheat to help farmers grow crops all year round – a strategy known as “continuous living cover” agriculture...
“Winter camelina and domesticated pennycress have the potential to address key sustainability challenges in agricultural supply chains, including water quality concerns and demand for low-carbon fuel feedstocks,” Cargill crop innovation director Lyle DePauw was quoted as saying.
The five-year grant would accelerate research into crop biology and management and all research results would be made public, World Grain wrote.
“This support from Cargill … will greatly advance our research and help make these crops a reality for farmers,” Forever Green Initiative associate director Mitch Hunter was quoted as saying.
Grown off-season and with few inputs, winter camelina and pennycress produced seed-based oils that could be refined into drop-in replacements for jet fuel and diesel, Hunter added.
Oil produced from the two crops could also be used in food, biopolymers and other industrial applications, and the high-protein meal could be used for animal feed, he added.
A research platform at the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, the Forever Green Initiative is researching a portfolio of more than 15 new perennial and winter-annual crops, which could be integrated with common Midwest crops such as corn, soyabeans and wheat to help farmers grow crops all year round – a strategy known as “continuous living cover” agriculture...
17.02.2024
Australian tallow exports exceed $1bn for first time driven by biofuels industry
Australia’s tallow exports reached a record value of more than $1bn in the 2022/23 financial year, the country’s Department of Agriculture was quoted as saying by ABC News.
Tallow production had reached record levels in Australia – now the world’s leading exporter of the animal by-product – with demand being driven by the biofuels industry rather than the food sector, the 3 February report said.
According to Australian Renderers Association (ARA) figures, the country produced 550,000 tonnes of tallow last year, 450,000 tonnes of which were exported.
The US and Singapore biofuels industries received 90% of Australian tallow exports, with China and South Korea also taking a small percentage, the report said.
“In the USA, there’s been a growing industry converting tallow into petrol, diesel and jet fuel substances,” Australia meat and livestock analyst Tim Jackson was quoted as saying.
Prices were also surging, reflecting the high demand, Jackson added.
After peaking at US$2,500/tonne in the 2022/23 financial year, international tallow prices remained above historical averages at US$2,000/tonne at the time of the report...
Tallow production had reached record levels in Australia – now the world’s leading exporter of the animal by-product – with demand being driven by the biofuels industry rather than the food sector, the 3 February report said.
According to Australian Renderers Association (ARA) figures, the country produced 550,000 tonnes of tallow last year, 450,000 tonnes of which were exported.
The US and Singapore biofuels industries received 90% of Australian tallow exports, with China and South Korea also taking a small percentage, the report said.
“In the USA, there’s been a growing industry converting tallow into petrol, diesel and jet fuel substances,” Australia meat and livestock analyst Tim Jackson was quoted as saying.
Prices were also surging, reflecting the high demand, Jackson added.
After peaking at US$2,500/tonne in the 2022/23 financial year, international tallow prices remained above historical averages at US$2,000/tonne at the time of the report...
17.02.2024
In the current season, Ukraine increases sunflower seed processing
According to preliminary data from the APK-Inform Agency, the sunflower seed processing volume in January of 2023/24 MY saw a slight decrease compared to December, down by 10% to approximately 1.4 million tonnes. However, this figure represents a 36% increase year-on-year.
Processing decline in the mentioned month is primarily attributed to the traditional New Year festivities observed in several importing countries. Furthermore, there was a slowdown in sunflower oil exports, partly caused by shipping challenges arising from adverse weather conditions in the Black Sea at the start of January. Additionally, the conflict escalation in the Red Sea further contributed to the decline in processing activities.
Meanwhile, we should note that sunflower seed processing in Ukraine has surpassed previous season's figures for the third consecutive month. Preliminary estimates indicate that from September to January of 2023/24 MY, processing at oil mills has risen to 6.5 mln tonnes, marking a 9% increase compared to the same period last season. This accounts for approximately 53% of our forecasted processing volume for the entire season.
Given the fairly good pace of sunflower oil exports in February, sunflower seed processing rates will remain high in the near term but will be limited by vegoil prices, difficult export logistics, weak demand from India, etc...
Processing decline in the mentioned month is primarily attributed to the traditional New Year festivities observed in several importing countries. Furthermore, there was a slowdown in sunflower oil exports, partly caused by shipping challenges arising from adverse weather conditions in the Black Sea at the start of January. Additionally, the conflict escalation in the Red Sea further contributed to the decline in processing activities.
Meanwhile, we should note that sunflower seed processing in Ukraine has surpassed previous season's figures for the third consecutive month. Preliminary estimates indicate that from September to January of 2023/24 MY, processing at oil mills has risen to 6.5 mln tonnes, marking a 9% increase compared to the same period last season. This accounts for approximately 53% of our forecasted processing volume for the entire season.
Given the fairly good pace of sunflower oil exports in February, sunflower seed processing rates will remain high in the near term but will be limited by vegoil prices, difficult export logistics, weak demand from India, etc...
17.02.2024
Grains and oilseeds: frustration over low yields
BRUSSELS. Russia has dragged down US and EU wheat quotations. Limited optimism prevails for corn in Argentina. Soybean yields are frustratingly low in Brazil and rapeseed is only marginally affected by the blockages at the Polish-Ukrainian border.
Russia drags down US and EU wheat quotations
SovEcon has revised the 2024 wheat production estimates for Russia upwards to 93.6 million mt. Last year’s production ranged at 92.8 million mt. Russia’s rising export surplus supplies are also adding pressure. Rumours over a potential rise in the export quota for 01 February through to 01 July by a further 4 million mt to 28 million mt, in addition, indicate a possible massive selloff of Russia’s warehouse supplies before the arrival of the new crop. Quotations for Russian export wheat declined sharply...
Russia drags down US and EU wheat quotations
SovEcon has revised the 2024 wheat production estimates for Russia upwards to 93.6 million mt. Last year’s production ranged at 92.8 million mt. Russia’s rising export surplus supplies are also adding pressure. Rumours over a potential rise in the export quota for 01 February through to 01 July by a further 4 million mt to 28 million mt, in addition, indicate a possible massive selloff of Russia’s warehouse supplies before the arrival of the new crop. Quotations for Russian export wheat declined sharply...
16.02.2024
Kazakhstan will increase sowing of oilseeds
Kazakhstan is planning to increase the area under oilseeds, fodder crops and sugar beet, Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov said at a government meeting. The total sown area for the 2024 season will be 23.9 mln hectares.
“This is 115.6 hectares less than last year. Wheat (-439.2 thou hectares) and barley (-129.5 thou hectares) will be reduced. At the same time, it is planned to increase the sowing of oilseeds (by 414.7 thou hectares) and fodder crops (by 96.4 thou hectares). The areas allocated for such moisture-loving crops as cotton (-16 thou hectares) and rice (-6.4 thou hectares) are expected to decrease,” said Sultanov.
Akmola region intends to transfer the most areas from wheat to oilseeds (up to 400 thou hectares). Also, oilseeds will increase in Kostanay, North Kazakhstan, Abay and Pavlodar regions.
In general, in 2024, the largest areas for oilseeds in Kazakhstan will be allocated in the South Kazakhstan region (751 thou hectares), Kostanay region (746 thou hectares) and, taking into account the plans, in Akmola region. In South Kazakhstan region, 219 thou hectares will be planted with oilseeds, which is 9 thou hectares more than in 2023.
The area under sugar beet will also be increased to 26.3 thou hectares.
16.02.2024
Sunflower seeds: decline in cultivation in Ukraine
KYIV/SOFIA: The licensing procedure introduced by the EU for trade with Ukraine is facing new challenges. Not all EU countries concerned are prepared to comply with the requirements. Meanwhile, experts believe that sunflower seed sowing in Ukraine could decline this year.
Hurdles in the licensing process
According to a letter from the Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Food to the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Bulgaria is against the implementation of the recently implemented simplification of licensed sunflower seed exports from Ukraine to Bulgaria. The simplified system was introduced on the grounds that the processing industry in Bulgaria would not have to wait long for raw material supplies. "As the Minister of Agriculture and Food of Bulgaria, I work to protect the interests of the Bulgarian...
Hurdles in the licensing process
According to a letter from the Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Food to the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Bulgaria is against the implementation of the recently implemented simplification of licensed sunflower seed exports from Ukraine to Bulgaria. The simplified system was introduced on the grounds that the processing industry in Bulgaria would not have to wait long for raw material supplies. "As the Minister of Agriculture and Food of Bulgaria, I work to protect the interests of the Bulgarian...
16.02.2024
Grains close on the downswing. February 15, 2024
The USDA numbers started to come out today, and as expected, USDA came out with some very large yield projections. This and overall non-threatening weather put pressure on the grain markets with corn and wheat closing at new contract lows. Nearby soybeans closed below key support at $11.70 the next major support is now at $10.90.
At the close, corn futures closed 6¢ lower, futures closed 8¢ to 10¢ lower. Wheat closed 5¢ to 18¢ lower.
It is worth noting that the bull spreads are starting to pull in in the corn and soybean markets even though futures continue lower.
In the outside markets, the U.S. dollar is moving lower, the U.S. stock market higher and energy prices were higher.
In the livestock markets on Thursday. April hogs closed 47¢ higher at $85.00, April cattle closed up $1.60 at $185.60 and March Feeder cattle closed up 87¢ at $247.10.
Now the focus is back on weather in Brazil and what number prices have to fall to in order to stimulate more demand.
The grain markets are all lower after trading higher in right at about 8:30 a.m. USDA came out with their yield projections and as expected they are large. They project corn yield at 181 bushels per acre, for soybeans a record of 52 bushels per acre. A lot of this is built in but it is still long term negative if it proves to be correct.
At this hour, corn futures are 2¢ lower, soybean futures are 6¢ lower, and winter wheat futures are 3¢ to 4¢ lower. Spring wheat is 2 to 3¢ higher.
In the outside markets the U.S. dollar is down 0.29 points, the S&P 500 is up 2 points, the Dow is up 145 points, and energy prices are higher. I hope that when Asia comes back from the Lunar New Year celebration, they will see some bargains and start buying.
In the livestock markets today, April hogs are up 62¢, April cattle are down 17¢, and March Feeder cattle are down 95¢.
At the close, corn futures closed 6¢ lower, futures closed 8¢ to 10¢ lower. Wheat closed 5¢ to 18¢ lower.
It is worth noting that the bull spreads are starting to pull in in the corn and soybean markets even though futures continue lower.
In the outside markets, the U.S. dollar is moving lower, the U.S. stock market higher and energy prices were higher.
In the livestock markets on Thursday. April hogs closed 47¢ higher at $85.00, April cattle closed up $1.60 at $185.60 and March Feeder cattle closed up 87¢ at $247.10.
Now the focus is back on weather in Brazil and what number prices have to fall to in order to stimulate more demand.
The grain markets are all lower after trading higher in right at about 8:30 a.m. USDA came out with their yield projections and as expected they are large. They project corn yield at 181 bushels per acre, for soybeans a record of 52 bushels per acre. A lot of this is built in but it is still long term negative if it proves to be correct.
At this hour, corn futures are 2¢ lower, soybean futures are 6¢ lower, and winter wheat futures are 3¢ to 4¢ lower. Spring wheat is 2 to 3¢ higher.
In the outside markets the U.S. dollar is down 0.29 points, the S&P 500 is up 2 points, the Dow is up 145 points, and energy prices are higher. I hope that when Asia comes back from the Lunar New Year celebration, they will see some bargains and start buying.
In the livestock markets today, April hogs are up 62¢, April cattle are down 17¢, and March Feeder cattle are down 95¢.