June 7 (Bloomberg) -- Grain farmers in South Australia, the nation's third-largest wheat growing state, will sow a record area to crops this year as drought conditions ease. Farmers will plant crops including wheat, barley and canola over an estimated 3.95 million hectares (9. Output in Australia, the world's third-largest wheat and canola exporter, plunged last harvest during one of the nation's worst droughts in a century. Farmers are expected to increase plantings after recent rain to...

Federal disaster assistance available for 81 Illinois counties Governor Rod Blagojevichsays federal disaster assistance is now available for farmers and nursery owners in 81 of Illinois' 102 counties to help them recover from an April freeze that damaged crops. Federal disaster assistance available for 81 Illinois counties Governor Rod Blagojevichsays federal disaster assistance is now available for farmers and nursery owners in 81 of Illinois' 102 counties to help them recover from an...

They make up only a small slice, about 3 percent, of the nation's food market, but increasing demand is pushing more farmers to make the switch in hopes of higher returns. In particular, high-protein crops like soybeans that are necessary feed for dairy cows are in short supply in some regions, forcing some companies to import them from as far away as China. Gordon, executive director of the Washington Dairy Federation, believes more feed crops need to be planted to meet local demand among...

DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - A record 3-1/2 year stretch of profits for hog producers appears to be coming to an end this year due to high corn costs, but a growing export market could again bolster profits in coming years, a leading agriculture economist said. DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - A record 3-1/2 year stretch of profits for hog producers appears to be coming to an end this year due to high corn costs, but a growing export market could again bolster profits in coming years, a...

Crude oil prices shed more than $2, corn and soybean futures settled lower while most of the industrial metals posted losses. Increasingly bullish economic data and recent comments from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke have quashed market hopes for an interest rate cut sometime this year. Now, fears that the Fed won't cut rates _ or may raise them _ have pressured the commodities markets, and gold in particular. Crude oil prices shed more than $2, corn and soybean futures settled lower while most...