In this episode of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, Riley and Scott dive deep into the USDA's March 31 Prospective Plantings report and its price implications for corn and soybeans. They break down the anticipated 95.3 million acres of corn—4.7 million more than last year—marking the highest U.S. corn acreage since 2013. This surge, however, puts downward pressure on corn prices, especially with a potential record crop in 2025. Meanwhile, soybean acreage is set to decline to its lowest level in five years, potentially tightening supplies and driving prices higher. Tune in as they analyze these trends and explore what they mean for farmers and the broader market. 

 Join Riley Smith on Morning Coffee and Ag Markets as he brings in Dr. Hunter Biram, Assistant Professor and Extension Agricultural Economist at the University of Arkansas, to discuss the launch of the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) sign-up. Dr. Biram provides key insights into the program, which offers financial relief to farmers impacted by higher input costs and falling commodity prices. With up to $10 billion in direct payments available, farmers can apply online or at their local USDA Farm Service Agency office by the August 15, 2025 deadline. Don’t miss this important update on how Arkansas farmers can receive nearly $300 million in aid through ECAP! 

 Join Riley Smith and Dr. Ryan Loy on this episode of Morning Coffee and AG Markets as they break down the latest on tariffs and the trade war’s impact on U.S. agriculture. With the U.S. administration focusing on tariffs to address national security, economic imbalances, and promote domestic manufacturing, Riley and Dr. Loy explore how these policies are affecting markets, especially agricultural commodities like soybeans and potash. They dive into the shifting trade dynamics, particularly with China, and how U.S. farmers, especially in Arkansas, are navigating the uncertainty. Tune in for expert insights on how tariffs are shaping the future of U.S. agriculture and what it means for farm profitability. 

 Join Riley Smith for this morning's Morning Coffee and Ag Markets as he is joined by Mr. Scott Stiles as they discuss the March 2025 USDA WASDE report, released on March 11th. This month’s update saw few changes, with no adjustments to U.S. corn, soybean, or cotton stocks. Soybean prices were lowered to $9.95 per bushel, the lowest since 2019, while corn prices remained at $4.35 per bushel. Long-grain rice imports reached a record high, pushing stocks to 35.3 million cwt, while medium-grain stocks were reduced due to higher exports. Riley and Scott also cover the impact of U.S. tariffs and global trade on the agricultural market. 

On this episode of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, Riley is joined by Hunter, Ryan, and Scott Stiles for a polished roundtable discussion on the latest Ag Outlook Forum hosted by the USDA on February 27-28, 2025. The forum brought together agricultural economists and professionals from the government, academia, and private sector, providing valuable insights into national planted acreage projections and market trends. During the conversation, they delve into USDA's projections for grains, oilseeds, and cotton, highlighting the shifts in acreage for wheat, corn, soybeans, and rice, as well as how global trade dynamics and tariffs are influencing southern commodity markets. The discussion also touches on pre-harvest marketing strategies, offering key recommendations for producers to manage price risks as they approach the USDA's June Acreage Report. Don't miss out on this in-depth look at the future of U.S. agriculture. 

On this episode of Morning Coffee & Ag Markets, Riley is joined by Dr. Ryan Loy to explore the growing influence of the BRICS+ coalition on global trade. The BRICS+ nations, now producing a substantial share of the world’s key commodities, are pushing to reduce their reliance on the U.S. dollar, focusing on "de-dollarization." Riley and Dr. Loy will discuss how this shift could reshape global markets, the challenges BRICS+ faces in uniting diverse economies, and what the future holds for the U.S. dollar's role in international trade. Tune in for insights into these critical developments! 

 Welcome to Morning Coffee & Ag Markets! Today, Riley sits down with Dr. Hunter Biram, to discuss the projected economic assistance for Arkansas crops under the American Relief Act. With $10 billion in relief funds for U.S. crop producers, Arkansas farmers are set to receive a share, with payments based on economic losses per acre. Dr. Biram breaks down the expected payments for key crops like rice, soybeans, and cotton, and how the assistance is helping farmers cover operating costs. Tune in for an insightful look at how these relief funds will impact Arkansas agriculture in 2025. 

 In this episode of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, Riley and Ryan sit down to discuss a key tool for farmers and ranchers: leveraging enterprise budgets to calculate breakeven points. They break down how using Extension Crop Enterprise Budgets for individual farm enterprises can help producers better understand their cost structure and set realistic price goals. By calculating breakeven points, they can make informed decisions on pricing, marketing, and production strategies. This conversation highlights the importance of knowing your numbers in order to stay profitable in an ever-changing agricultural market. Tune in for actionable insights and expert advice on navigating these critical financial aspects of the ag industry! 

 In this episode of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, Riley is joined by Dr. Hunter Biram in the studio, as they dive deep into the usefulness of crop insurance. Dr. Biram provides valuable insights into the complexities of crop insurance and shares an in-depth breakdown of how producers can make informed decisions for the upcoming 2025 season. The episode also highlights Dr. Biram's Crop Insurance Decision Maker Tool, a powerful resource designed to help farmers navigate their crop insurance options with confidence and precision. Tune in for expert analysis and practical advice tailored to today’s ag markets! 

 In this episode of Morning Coffee and Ag Markets, Riley Smith sits down with Dr. Nalley, the newly appointed head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Nalley shares his journey from assistant professor to department head and discusses his dedication to bridging research, extension, and teaching to support Arkansas producers. He highlights key challenges for 2025, including avian influenza, thin profit margins for row crop producers, and poor rice milling quality. 

Dr. Nalley also emphasizes the importance of proactive and reactive research, the development of practical tools like crop enterprise budgets and crop insurance resources, and the University’s commitment to addressing real-world issues faced by farmers. This conversation offers valuable insights into the University of Arkansas’ role in supporting the agricultural community through research and extension.