1. Crop Market Outlook Iowa Institute for Cooperatives
2008 Annual Meeting
Ames, Iowa
November 25, 2008
Chad Hart
Assistant Professor/Grain Markets Specialist 1

2. U.S. Corn Supply and Use $4.75 $4.40 Source: USDA-WAOB, Nov. 2008
-0.35
$4.40
Source: USDA-WAOB, Nov. 2008 2 2

3. U.S. Soybean Supply and Use
$10.45
-0.60
$9.85
Source: USDA-WAOB, Nov. 2008

4. Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS)
Crop
Year
Billion Bushels
2008
3.57
2009
4.11
2010
4.43
Corn-based ethanol goes in as conventional biofuel. The tables show the amounts of corn needed to meet the conventional biofuel portion of the RFS with corn-grain ethanol. The Renewable Fuels Association lists current ethanol production capacity at billion gallons, with another 2.8 billion gallons under construction. So ethanol capacity is large enough to meet the RFS for the next few years is the 1st year for the biodiesel portion of the RFS, with 500 million gallons of biodiesel needed to meet the mandate. In 2007, we produced roughly 450 million gallons. And the U.S. has enough biodiesel capacity on the ground today to produce over 2 billion gallons of biodiesel from a variety of sources. 4 4

5. Outside Influences (Sept. 2008 = 1)
But the recent weakness in the Dow has pounded oil and the crops significantly.

6. Urea Prices Source: http://www.fertilizerworks.com/html/market/
TheMarket.pdf

7. Iowa Corn Prices vs. Costs
Average return over the time period, -7 cents per bushel. Current corn prices for Iowa are around estimated costs.
Source: USDA-NASS and Duffy and Smith,

8. Iowa Soybean Prices vs. Costs
Average return over the period, 31 cents per bushel. Current Iowa prices still slightly above estimated costs.
Source: USDA-NASS and Duffy and Smith,

9. U.S. Stocks-to-Use Ratios
Even with the revision to higher corn and soybean ending stocks for 2007 and 2008, the U.S. stock situation is tight.

10. World Stocks-to-Use Ratios
But the world has higher than usual soybean stocks. Corn stocks have been tight worldwide for several years.

11. Thoughts for 2008 General economic conditions Energy demand
A lot of recent market trade has been tied to reaction to the financial crisis and the world’s response
Economic slowdown raises concern about export and energy demand
Energy demand
Higher energy prices did constrain demand
Will it recover?
Most important ag. statistic: Crude oil price or Dow Jones Index
Current futures are indicating 2008 season-average prices of $3.60 for corn and $8.50 for soybeans

12. Thoughts for 2009 and Beyond
Many of the storylines from the past few years will continue
Tight stocks for both corn and soybeans
The competition for acreage
Ethanol’s buildout & livestock’s adjustment
Energy price & general economy concerns
Market volatility will remain high
Link to the energy markets
More market players with different trading objectives
Given current factors, the 2009 outlook is for crop prices around $4.50 for corn and $9.50 for soybeans

13. Thank you for your time. Any questions. http://www. econ. iastate