The USDA's prediction is 10 million bushels less than its forecast only a few weeks ago, and 20 million bushels lower than the prediction last month. In northwest Oklahoma, harvests are almost complete, with many producers getting anywhere from 38 to 58 bushels per acre. Agriculture officials say the fields are too saturated to bring in machines like combines and tractors. Rain dampens state's wheat harvest forecast. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or...

The diversity of products that we can make from corn and the productivity of our growers are a huge asset for this nation. I think the public understands this now more than ever before, so hopefully ICGA can build this into even greater support for trade, expanded livestock production, ethanol and other corn products, Ruh said. We are extremely happy with this report because it shows the responsiveness of growers to market signals. Driven by favorable prices, growing ethanol demand and...

Rain clouds that rolled over many Midwestern fields, especially in downstate Illinois, put new life in the corn crop but took the life out of the market. We had good growing conditions this spring, but in some areas, wheat got frozen during the Easter freeze and farmers ripped up wheat and planted corn. CHAMPAIGN Rain and a crop report that's bullish on beans had a dramatic effect Friday on commodity markets that have been powered by ethanol. Wheat and corn are both fed to livestock and...

latest news Hunger pains Commentary: The world's growing demand for agricultural commodities By Kevin Kerr, MarketWatch Last Update: 12:01 AM ET Jul 2, 2007 CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- In the past, at least for most of my 17-year career, the commodities markets have been a small part of the overall investment picture for most investors. latest news Hunger pains Commentary: The world's growing demand for agricultural commodities By Kevin Kerr, MarketWatch Last Update: 12:01 AM ET Jul 2, 2007...

And by then, most of the wheat crop will not be able to be saved. Many farmers are watching their grain rot in the fields, because it is too wet to run the combine, in order to cut the grain. Farmers say it will take 10 days of sunshine to dry out the wheat fields. Heavy downpours have devastated this years' crop. At least the showers are not organized with only scattered, locally heavy downpours which will cause brief, local drainage problems. Several Oklahoma creeks and rivers are still...