An Ag. Comment

China's Agricultural Concerns

john.chudleigh@analysingagriculture.com — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:11:00 GMT

China could still emerge as a major importer of grains in the decade ahead.

Agriculture and the Financial Crisis - Episode 7 - Inflation or not?

john.chudleigh@analysingagriculture.com — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:17:00 GMT

Is the money in the stimulus packages simply replacing what has been lost or is it likely to be highly inflationary in the years ahead?

Is a golden age for agriculture really coming?

john.chudleigh@analysingagriculture.com — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:48:00 GMT

Changing Attitudes may Extend the Financial Crisis

john.chudleigh@analysingagriculture.com — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:51:00 GMT

In the long run the financial crisis we are experiencing will prove to have been the wake-up call necessary for the generation who have never experienced hardship in their lives before.

Mulesing debate

john.chudleigh@analysingagriculture.com — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:50:00 GMT

Any decision about mulesing should be left to the individual producer to determine with market forces allowed to determine the needs of customers.

Economic malaise - a plus for agriculture's prospects?

john.chudleigh@analysingagriculture.com — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:08:00 GMT

The world financial crisis may have been alleviated by the actions of Central Bankers and Governments but the crisis has destroyed the confidence of much of the investing community. As a result of falling asset values, shares and real estate, consumers have held back spending waiting for some clear evidence that the economic malaise that this has produced is easing. This pull back in expenditure has worsened the crisis and now economic growth expectations are being revised downwards at regular intervals. Just where this will all end is now the major worry for most with the fear of losing a job one of the main concerns.

While prices for most agricultural commodities have fallen significantly from their peaks, they seem to be stabilising at a level well above historical average levels. The fundamentals have not changed and the threat of more periods of food shortage loom now that prices are lower. Will these lower prices actually reduce production in 2009/10 due to shortage of cash and high input prices or will the world bring in another record grain crop? This is a key question to be answered in assessing the prospects for prices over the next year or so.