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The US Stock Market and the Futures Markets are closed for Good Friday and Easter.

Grain and oilseed ag futures will reopen Sunday evening with electronic trading starting at 7 pm central time, while livestock futures don't restart trading until Monday morning at 9:05 am.

This is a holiday that for the most part is not observed by government- so it's likely you will find those folks in the office. 

AFF Asks: Is 'Negligible' Risk of FMD from Brazilian Beef Satisfactory for America? 

The following article by Steve Dittmer was published in the Agribusiness Freedom Foundation Sentinel:

Most folks in the meat industry know that the USDA has proposed allowing fresh beef in several forms from a country where Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is present in more states than it is under control -- Brazil.

But a careful examination of the science associated with FMD and the research available on the potential to spread it via fresh meat flashes warning signs all over USDA's proposal. The science shows that it is theoretically possible to achieve a negligible risk of fresh meat bringing FMD into the country -- if a long list of practices, surveillances and procedures are optimally achieved at both cattle production and cattle slaughter levels. But there are too many things that have to be done right and too many things we don't know to be absolutely certain without more research.

And that raises a separate question: is "negligible" satisfactory for America's meat industry -- regarding one of the most contagious and easily carried animal diseases on earth -- as a trade for virtually no risk we have now?

Click here to read more of Steve Dittmer's editorial.

Livestock Economist Derrell Peel: Record-High Beef Prices Probably Peaking

As we continue to see record-high prices in the cattle complex in 2014, Oklahoma State University Livestock Market Economist Derrell Peel says those prices are being affected by seasonal variations and we should expect to see them back off soon.

"There are indications that most of the cattle markets have topped for this spring-for different reasons. Boxed beef has come down fairly sharply recently from the second rollercoaster high this spring. That's squeezing the packer side of things in terms of their revenue side. Fed cattle prices haven't actually come down very much, just a little bit. But it does look like they've topped and I do expect them to work lower as we move through the second half of April and certainly into May and June."

He said the reason for that is the seasonal increase in fed cattle sales and slaughter increases from late May into June. That increase in supply will pressure prices lower.

A cold spring which is delaying forage production and corn planting will also have its impact on the markets, Peel says.

Derrell joins me on the latest Beef Buzz.  Click here to go there.

 

According to OSU's Kim Anderson, Volatility Rules the Wheat Markets

In his preview to this week's SUNUP program, Oklahoma State University Extension Grain Marketing Specialist Kim Anderson says there's one word to describe current wheat markets: volatile.

"On February 3rd we had $6 on that July contract. By March 20th it was up to $7.94 1/2. On April 11th it was back down to $7.23 and then, of course, this week it peaked out again at $7.80. So, you've just got a lot of volatility from the drought, the freeze and what 's going on in the Ukraine."

Anderson says that one factor that could keep prices high for Oklahoma wheat producers is the quality of wheat given the weather stresses. Last year's crop was high in protein which increased its demand and has kept prices higher.

"If we have good protein this year, it's going to assure us export demand. The excess or high export demand will depend on what the protein is around the rest of the world, but protein never hurts."

Click here to listen to more from Kim Anderson and to see this week's SUNUP lineup.

Eating habits established by children today will impact beef demand tomorrow.  That's why John Patterson with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association says it's so important to please the parents of future beef eaters.

"Our challenge is how do we get those Millennials to buy beef, to enjoy beef and then, more importantly, how do we get them to feed that to their children so their children will buy beef?  We want to be in front of their demand, not behind their demand."

Paterson talks about what today's beef consumers want and why cattlemen should pay attention to that in the latest video from Certified Angus Beef.  Please click here to watch..

Easter Thoughts for 2014- There is HOPE!

It's hard to point to a lot of national figures that really inspire you in this day and age- but one that I admire a great deal is Rick Warren, the Pastor of Saddleback Church in southern California.  My family and I have been to his church a few times when we have been in that area- and have heard him preach at least a couple of times live- and have listened to him on the web as have so many others.

He has a hard thing that he is dealing with this Easter- as right at one year ago- just a few days after Easter 2013- his son took his own life.  In an article on the Huffington Post, Warren talked about this dark cloud in his life "The day Matthew gave in to despair was the worst day of my life," Warren says. "During the past year, I've often been asked, 'How have you made it? How have you kept going in your pain?' and I've often replied, 'The answer is Easter.'"

I know many of you have faced your own "three days" of emotions and hurt and pain over this past year- saying goodbye to my dad here in 2014 has been bittersweet- as I know that he is celebrating this Easter on the other side of that line between this world and the next- but yet you are reminded of those you love so often as you travel on this side of heaven- I had a bushel full of those about a week ago as I traveled back to Kentucky to close on the house that my folks called home the last fifteen years of their lives.  I had promised my dad that I would be there when we closed on the house- so promise kept- but driving the streets of the little town I grew up in was full of those reminders of both of my parents- as well as some of the other mentors of the first twenty years of my life.   

With all that said- knowing what those folks taught me about how to live life- I am thankful that they steered me right and grounded me in a faith that is based on the Hope of Easter.

With that said- here is Rick Warren's thoughts on Easter here in 2014- enjoy them and I pray that they are a blessing to you.

"The death, and the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus happened over three days. Friday was the day of suffering and pain and agony. Saturday was the day of doubt and confusion and misery. But Easter, that Sunday, was the day of hope and joy and victory.

"You will face these three days over and over and over in your lifetime. And when you do, you'll find yourself asking, as I did, three fundamental questions: Number one, what do I do in my days of pain? Two, how do I get through my days of doubt and confusion? Three, how do I get to the days of joy and victory?

"The answer is Easter."

Thanks for allowing me to share this on this Good Friday- I hope you and yours have a great Easter holiday 2014!!!!