This month, CFO Systems Director, Edgar Hicks has been speaking to the the leadership of two different USDA sponsored committees: Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) and Federal Grain Inspection Advisory (FGIS).  Edgar serves on both committees.  The leaderships of the two committees brought up concerns about the economic impact of the delayed, wet harvest we are experiencing.  Both highlighted ways to minimize the negative impact of the current weather conditions and harvest delays.

Although the recent resurgence in crush margins has allowed most plants to hang on, we see and hear the banks pushing the plants HARD to bring in new capital.  We also see and hear of a few (but very few) entities with more than a passing interest, and most importantly, some capital, who are interested in the industry.