"Angie Craig's Mission to Change Rural Americans' Perception of Democrats"
Background and Personal Connection
Craig's Arkansas grandfather faced hardships during the 1980s farm crisis, being forced off the land. Growing up in a mobile home and experiencing food insecurity and inconsistent access to healthcare, she has a firsthand understanding of the impact agriculture policy can have on real people and families. This personal background fuels her determination to make a difference in agricultural policy.In the past couple of years, there have been Capitol Hill whispers suggesting that Scott, with his courtly and deliberate manner, may not have been aggressive enough in promoting Democratic priorities at committee meetings and farm bill negotiations. However, Scott, 79, who represents an Atlanta-area district, was the first Black chairman of the Agriculture Committee in 2020 and holds the advantage of seniority in the intraparty race. House Democrats will elect committee leaders in January. Costa, 72, from the Central Valley, ran for the Agriculture chairmanship in 2020. Craig, 52, was elected to her fourth term on Nov. 5 and represents a district south of the Twin Cities.Commitment to Rural America
President-elect Trump won 64% of the vote in rural and small-town America in the past elections compared to 51% in the suburbs and 38% in cities, according to exit polling. Trump's rural margin in the Nov. 5 election was larger than in 2016. Craig believes that too many rural Americans don't trust that Democrats have their best interests at heart. In a letter to House Democrats, she stated that it is her mission to work with them to change these minds. She said rural Americans "want us to show up and listen" to their concerns. "That's what we as Democrats need to do: Show up and listen. And have a presence in Ag country."Costa made a similar point in a letter to colleagues last week. He emphasized the need for a leader who will fight to protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), defend the historic investments made through the Inflation Reduction Act, and bring a strong Democratic message back to rural America. As a member of the committee for 20 years, he believes he has the experience to lead Democrats as they work towards passing a bipartisan farm bill, which is currently expired.Scott spoke repeatedly against the Republican farm bill. When the CBO said the committee-approved bill was $33 billion over budget, he called on Republicans to return to the negotiating table and work with Democrats to craft a truly bipartisan farm bill.Actions in Farm Bill Debate
Craig was "loud and clear" in the farm bill debate, opposing Republican-sponsored cuts in SNAP and loosening the rules on climate funding. She firmly believes that rural Americans deserve a voice and that Democrats need to actively listen to their concerns. This stance shows her dedication to representing rural interests and ensuring that agricultural policies are fair and beneficial.In the new session, there will be some turnover in the membership of the Agriculture Committee. Two Republicans and one Democrat were defeated for re-election, and one race was yet to be decided. Rep. John Duarte, a California Republican, held a 204-vote lead over Democrat Adam Gray with 98% of the vote counted in their Central Valley district. Additionally, Democratic Rep. Ellisa Slotkin was elected senator in Michigan, and Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger left the House to run for Virginia governor.Overall, Angie Craig's campaign for the House Agriculture Committee leadership is a crucial step in shaping agricultural policies and addressing the concerns of rural America. Her personal experiences and commitment make her a strong candidate in this intraparty race.Unveiling the Insights of the USDA's Crop Progress Report
Winter Wheat Progress
The USDA's latest report provides detailed information about the winter wheat crop. As of Nov. 24, an astonishing 97% of winter wheat across the top 18 growing states had been planted. This marks a notable increase from 94% the previous week. However, it is slightly behind the five-year average of 98%.
Furthermore, 89% of the winter wheat across these top growing states was already out of the ground. This is a positive development as it was 84% the week prior and in line with the five-year average. These figures give us a clear picture of the progress made in the winter wheat sector.
Winter Wheat Crop Condition
On Nov. 24, the condition of the winter wheat crop in the top growing states was rated as follows. Good/Excellent accounted for 55%, which was an improvement from 49% the previous week. Fair stood at 33%, while Poor/Very Poor made up 12%. These ratings help us assess the overall health and quality of the winter wheat crop.
Comparing with the previous week's data, we can see that there were some shifts in the condition ratings. The increase in the Good/Excellent category and the slight decrease in the Poor/Very Poor category indicate that the winter wheat crop is generally progressing well.
Uncover the Secrets of Soybean and Corn Overnight Trading
Soybeans: Overnight Trading Dynamics
Soybean futures witnessed a notable increase in overnight trading. Exporters have been actively selling these oilseeds to different markets, as evidenced by the sales figures. Last week alone, significant amounts of soybeans were sold to various buyers, including an unnamed one. Since the start of the marketing year on September 1, U.S. exporters have shipped a substantial amount of soybeans overseas, showing a 12% increase compared to the same period last year. Importers have also shown increased demand, with 31.6 million metric tons agreed upon in the current marketing year, a 9% rise from the previous year.
On the Chicago Board of Trade, January delivery soybean futures rose 5 3/4¢ to $9.89 1/4 a bushel overnight. Alongside this, soymeal saw a rise of 20¢ to $291.60, while soy oil fell 0.19¢ to 42.45¢ a pound. These price movements highlight the volatility and importance of soybean markets in the global agricultural landscape.
Corn: Overnight Trading Trends
Corn futures also showed an upward trend in overnight trading. Exporters sold 454,090 metric tons of corn to Mexico, with deliveries spread across different marketing years. This follows last week's sales of 198,000 tons. U.S. exporters have been actively shipping corn to overseas buyers, with shipments reaching 9.33 million tons since September 1, a 31% increase from the same period last year. Importers have agreed to purchase 31.4 million tons of corn in the current marketing year, a significant 39% year-over-year increase.
On the Chicago Board of Trade, December delivery corn futures were up 1¢ to $4.29 a bushel. These figures demonstrate the strong demand for corn and the impact it has on global agricultural markets.
China's Soybean and Corn Seed Output
In China, soybean and corn seed output is expected to face certain changes in the 2024-2025 marketing year. Soybean seed production is forecast to decline by 3% year-over-year due to a smaller planted area. Despite this, the yield has increased by 2%. Corn seed production is expected to be mixed, with a 2% decrease from the previous year but a 26% increase compared to the prior five-year average. The planted area for corn has dropped by 7%, although it was at a 10-year high in the previous growing season. Average corn seed yield is expected to reach a five-year high due to favorable weather conditions.
Commercial soybean seed demand in China is expected to fall by 5% to about 580,000 metric tons, but high-protein varieties remain popular. These trends highlight the importance of monitoring China's agricultural seed markets and their implications for global supply.
Weather Impact in Kansas and Illinois
In Kansas, light rain and snow flurries are expected in parts of central Kansas this afternoon. Despite this, there is expected to be a negligible impact on travel ahead of Thanksgiving. On Saturday, some light snow is forecasted in eastern Kansas. In central Illinois, a mix of rain and snow is expected to start today and last into the night. While little snow accumulation is expected, some areas in east-central Illinois may see up to an inch on the ground. These weather conditions can have a significant impact on agricultural activities and transportation in these regions.
Temperatures in the area are set to drop on Thanksgiving Day and continue to be low through early next week. Single-digit temperatures are forecasted starting from Friday and lasting through the weekend, which can pose challenges for agricultural operations and daily life.