Strain on Grain: AFBF Economist Breaks Down Growing Storage Capacity Issues

Large carryover stocks continue to put pressure on commodity prices, creating uncertainty for growers looking to market their grain.

WASHINGTON (RFD-TV) — As harvest moves forward across the country, farmers are facing mounting challenges tied to record crop yields, slowing export demand, and rising transportation and storage costs.

According to American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Bernt Nelson, the combination of strong production and large carryover stocks continues to put pressure on commodity prices, creating uncertainty for growers looking to market their grain. He joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to discuss what these factors mean for U.S. agriculture as harvest continues.

In his interview with RFD-TV News, Nelson said many producers are now weighing their storage options, as bins fill up quickly after back-to-back bumper crops. The tight storage situation, coupled with expensive freight rates, is forcing some to consider alternative marketing strategies or off-farm storage—both of which can eat into profits.

While abundant supply typically benefits consumers, Nelson notes that it is contributing to softer price trends in many markets, leaving farmers hoping for stronger demand signals in the months ahead.

Related Stories
Brazil’s ethanol growth could shift the corn trade.
Kansas row crop farmer Brad Keeler joins us to discuss drought conditions, planting decisions, input costs, and overall farmer sentiment in his region.
AFBF Economist Danny Munch joined us to discuss snowpack levels in the Colorado River Basin, water supply concerns, and the potential impact on agricultural production.
Congressman Gary Palmer of Alabama joined us to discuss federal overreach, transparency efforts, and legislative solutions impacting agriculture on this week’s Champions of Rural America.
Donald Chase of Chase Farms joined us to discuss drought conditions, planting progress, input costs, and the outlook for Georgia agriculture.
Tasting events in Ghana highlight potential for new export markets

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

CLAAS is pleased to announce its title sponsorship of the RFD-TV broadcast studios in Nashville, TN. The RFD-TV studios were officially recognized as the “CLAAS Studios” on July 3, 2023 further advancing the recognition of CLAAS as a leading large equipment manufacturer in North America.
Researchers at the Boyce Thompson Institute have constructed the perfect watermelon—returning “lost” genes from the domesticated fruit’s wild relatives that improve both taste and resilience during the growing process.
Thursday, 8/17/23 – 10 PM ET | 9 PM CT | 8 PM MT | 7 PM PT
Legendary singer/songwriters Wynn Varble and Rory Feek bring together some of their favorite songs, stories, and songwriters each week for the second season of Muletown in the Round, an exciting music & entertainment program returning to RFD-TV!
Monday, 8/28/23 – 10 PM ET | 9 PM CT | 8 PM MT | 7 PM PT
Thurs., August 24, 2023 — 10 PM ET | 9 PM CT | 8 PM MT | 7 PM PT
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.