April 24, 2009

If you're interested in keeping up with agricultural and economic trends that could affect your operation, check out the USDA Economic Research Service Web site at http://ers.usda.gov/. See new items in all topics at http://www.ers.usda.gov/WhatsNew/. Reports are regularly issued on a variety of topics. Following is information on two recent reports.

Ethanol Co-Product Use in U.S. Cattle Feeding: Lessons Learned And Considerations

The byproducts of making ethanol, sweeteners, syrups, and oils used to be considered less valuable than the primary products. But the increased livestock-feed market for such byproducts in the past few years has switched that perception to one of the ethanol industry making grain-based "co-products" that have market value separate from the primary products. Co-products such as dried distiller's grains, corn gluten feed, corn gluten meal, corn oil, solubles, and brewer's grains have become economically viable components, along with traditional ingredients (such as corn, soybean meal, and urea), in feed rations. See the full report.

Wheat Outlook

Examines supply, use, prices, and trade for wheat, including supply and demand prospects in major importing and exporting countries. Contains data and information on U.S. wheat by class. See the full report.