Biotech agriculture news summary, 27 October

Today in brief

CoBank estimates that a $1-per-bushel rise in corn, soybean and wheat futures could trigger about $9.6 billion in margin calls for commercial grain firms.1 The lender says grain handlers are carrying unusually large inventories as financing and transport costs rise.1

In Brassica rapa, fewer pollinators increased the relative opportunity for selection on mate acquisition.2 Science magazine’s survey named Syngenta agriculture’s leading employer for the tenth consecutive year.3

CoBank warns grain firms face steep margin-call exposure

Grain elevators and cooperatives in many areas expect to own nearly half of the local corn and soybean harvest, compared with a typical 35% to 40%, CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange estimates.1 Strong farmer sales during market rallies have left handlers with larger-than-usual inventories, while higher interest rates, fuel prices, rail surcharges and freight rates raise financing and transport costs, the report says.1

Grain firms hedge owned inventory with short futures positions, but rising prices can require them to pay margin before selling the physical grain.1 A $1-per-bushel rise in corn, soybean and wheat futures could prompt about $9.6 billion in margin calls across commercial grain firms in the coming months, CoBank estimates.1

Corn futures offer relatively favorable prospects for covering storage and financing costs, while wheat’s futures carry may fall short. Soybeans sit between those cases, according to the report.1 CoBank’s Tanner Ehmke said firms may need to arrange working capital sooner, include transport costs more fully in basis decisions and preserve access to financing during volatile markets.1

Pollinator abundance shifts where sexual selection acts in a plant

In experimental populations of Brassica rapa, lower pollinator abundance increased the relative opportunity for selection on mate acquisition, researchers found.2 The team tracked Bombus terrestris movements and analyzed genetic paternity across 16 populations and three pollinator-abundance conditions.2

Pollen competition for ovules was the main setting for sexual selection. Competition for access to mates played a secondary role and was stronger in male function.2 The researchers also found that estimates of selection before pollination were biased when pollinator movements were excluded.2

Also worth knowing

Syngenta ranked sixth among science-driven companies worldwide in Science magazine’s annual employer survey and has remained in its top ten since 2019.3

The day in numbers

$9.6 billion

Estimated margin calls across commercial grain firms after a hypothetical $1-per-bushel rise in corn, soybean and wheat futures. 1
Nearly half

Share of the local corn and soybean harvest elevators in many areas expect to own, versus a typical 35% to 40%. 1
10 consecutive years

Syngenta’s run as agriculture’s leading employer in Science magazine’s survey. 3