2008 Grain Market Issues

     Volatile futures prices, a lack of consistent basis convergence, wider than average basis levels, increasing futures margins, tighter credit markets, and skyrocketing food and fuel prices.  All of these issues and more have been brought up, discussed and researched during the spring of 2008.  There have been several events and hearings including, one sponsored by AFBF in St. Louis and one by the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) in Washington DC.  The following links are to several of the presentations at the events along with a couple of summaries and other presentations.

AFBF Event held in St. Louis - April 8, 2008

         Things That Influence Basis Levels, A Review - Jeffery Hainline, Adv. Trading Inc.
         Presentation - Kendall Keith, National Grain & Feed Association
         AFBF Basis Meeting Notes - Mark Nelson, KFB Commodities Director

CFTC Ag Markets Roundtable, Washington DC - April 22, 2008

          Presentation - John Fenton, CFTC
          Presentation - Dave Lehman, CME Group
          Volatility of Ag Prices - Gerald A Bange, World Ag Outlook Board, USDA
          Presentation - Jeffery H. Harris,  CFTC
          NGFA (National Grain & Feed Association) Recommendations to CFTC
          CFTC Ag Markets Roundtable Summary - Matthew Roberts, PhD Ohio State

 AFBF Testimony
           Hearing to review the Source of Dramatic Movements in Commodity Markets
            Fuel Subsidies - Is there an Impact on Food Supply & Prices?

Additional Papers and Links
            Ethanol Studies - Part 3: What the Critics Don't Want Consumers to Know About Ethanol!
            Ethanol Impact Studies - Part 2: What Is Affecting Corn Prices & by How Much?
            Ethanol Impact Studies - Part 1: Weather & Corn Yields
            Turbulent Markets
            Food Prices, Biofuels, Farm Profitability & Consumers
            Adequacy of Speculation in Ag Futures Markets: Too Much of a Good Thing
            Global Ag Supply & Demand: Factors Contributing to the Recent Increase in Food
                                           Commodity Prices
            The Impact of Ethanol Production on U.S. & Regional Gasoline Prices & on the
                                        Profitability of the U.S. Oil Refinery Industry.
             The Impact of Ethanol Production on Food, Fiber, and Fuel
             Commodity Futures Trading Commission - Fact Sheet