MEMPHIS, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Much of farm country is thawing out following a devastating winter storm that brought below-freezing temperatures to a number of rural communities, including areas that do not typically experience those conditions.
Producers are assessing potential impacts to agriculture as recovery efforts continue with temperatures still below freezing in the extended forecasts for many areas.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to provide an update on conditions in West Tennessee and Mississippi, and share what he is hearing about storm-related impacts across the agricultural sector.
In his interview with RFD NEWS, Williamson also discussed the broader ag market, outlining the key factors he is watching beyond the winter storm — including as farmers and traders navigate current market conditions.
Williamson emphasized that optimism in the seed oil and ethanol markets continued on Tuesday, as the corn and biofuel industries hope that President Trump’s visit to Iowa will bring some positive developments on stalled legislation related to year-round E15 sales.
For the broader agricultural industry, a railroad antitrust case in Kansas could lead to the dismantling of legacy regulatory shields, creating a more fluid, market-driven transportation grid that prioritizes moving crops efficiently over protecting historic rail monopolies.
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Stronger fuel demand supports corn usage despite a steady production pace.
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The long-term viability of a ranching operation often hinges on how effectively its owners navigate the overlapping layers of IRS regulations, state tax incentives, and USDA disaster programs.
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