Pr 1 (3-09) Agricultural Prices National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 30, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Agricultural Prices" see page 35, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. March Farm Prices Received Index Unchanged From Last Month The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in March, at 126 percent, based on 1990-92=100, was unchanged from February. The Crop Index is up 1 point (0.7 percent) but the Livestock Index decreased 1 point (0.9 percent). Producers received higher prices for corn, lettuce, snap beans, and tomatoes and lower prices for broilers, soybeans, strawberries, and celery. In addition to prices, the overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a 3-year average mix of commodities producers sell. Increased monthly marketings of strawberries, broilers, soybeans, and milk offset decreased marketings of cattle, corn, cotton, and oranges. The preliminary All Farm Products Index is down 20 points (14 percent) from March 2008. The Food Commodities Index, at 121, decreased 1 point (0.8 percent) from last month and decreased 23 points (16 percent) from March 2008. Prices Paid Index Unchanged The March Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 174 percent of the 1990-92 average. The index is unchanged from both last month and March 2008. Lower prices in March for nitrogen fertilizer, diesel fuel, feeder cattle, and feed concentrates offset higher prices for potash & phosphate, self-propelled machinery, herbicides, and insecticides. Index Summary Table -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2008 : 2009 Index :-------------------------------------------------------------- 1990-92=100 : Feb : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Prices Received : 146 146 126 126 : Prices Paid : 171 174 174 174 : Ratio 1/ : 85 84 72 72 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Ratio of index of prices received by farmers to index of prices paid by farmers. Prices Received by Farmers The March All Farm Products Index is 126 percent of its 1990-92 base, unchanged from the February index but 14 percent below the March 2008 index. ALL CROPS: The March index is 147, up 0.7 percent from February but 12 percent below March 2008. Index increases for commercial vegetables, feed grains & hay, fruits & nuts, food grains, and potatoes & dry beans more than offset the index decreases for oil-bearing crops and cotton. Food Grains: The March index, at 204, is 0.5 percent above the previous month but 33 percent below a year ago. The March all wheat price, at $5.85 per bushel, is up 6 cents from February but $4.65 below March 2008. Feed Grains & Hay: The March index is 172, up 1.2 percent from last month but 14 percent below a year ago. The corn price, at $3.96 per bushel, is up 9 cents from last month but 74 cents below March 2008. The all hay price, at $129 per ton, is down $3.00 from February and $4.00 below last March. Sorghum grain, at $5.54 per cwt, is 49 cents above February but $3.50 below March last year. Cotton: The March index, at 67, is down 2.9 percent from February and 36 percent below last year. The March price, at 40.9 cents per pound, is down 0.7 cent from the previous month and 22.1 cents below last March. Oil-Bearing Crops: The March index, at 164, is down 5.2 percent from February and 20 percent lower than March 2008. The soybean price, at $9.13 per bushel, decreased 42 cents from February and is $2.27 below March 2008. Fruits & Nuts: The March index, at 124, is up 2.5 percent from February but 16 percent lower than a year ago. The increase in marketings of strawberries more than offset price decreases for strawberries, apples, oranges, and grapefruit. Commercial Vegetables: The March index, at 146, is up 7.4 percent from last month and 9.0 percent above March 2008. Price increases during March for lettuce, snap beans, tomatoes, and sweet corn more than offset price declines for celery, onions, and broccoli. Potatoes & Dry Beans: The March index, at 155, is up 1.3 percent from last month and 5.4 percent above March 2008. The all potato price, at $9.07 per cwt, is up 20 cents from February and 70 cents from last March. The all dry bean price, at $28.80 per cwt, is down $1.30 from the previous month and $3.40 below March 2008. LIVESTOCK & PRODUCTS: The March index, at 108, is down 0.9 percent from last month and 16 percent from March 2008. Compared with a year ago, prices are lower for milk, cattle, eggs, broilers, calves, and turkeys. Hog prices are higher. Meat Animals: The March index, at 104, is down 1.0 percent from last month and 7.1 percent lower than last year. The March hog price, at $44.20 per cwt, is up 30 cents from February and $3.90 higher than a year ago. The March beef cattle price of $78.50 per cwt is down 30 cents from last month and $9.30 lower than March 2008. Dairy Products: The March index, at 88, is down 1.1 percent from a month ago and 37 percent lower than March last year. The March all milk price of $11.50 per cwt is down 10 cents from last month and down $6.60 from March 2008. The fluid grade milk price is down 10 cents but the manufacturing grade milk price is up 40 cents from the previous month. Poultry & Eggs: The March index, at 137, is down 2.8 percent from February and 14 percent below a year ago. The March market egg price, at 64.3 cents per dozen, increased 0.4 cent from February but is 65.7 cents below March 2008. The March broiler price, at 45.0 cents per pound, is down 2.0 cents from February and 1.0 cent below a year ago. The March turkey price, at 46.7 cents per pound, is up 0.2 cent from the previous month but down 6.2 cents from a year earlier. Table of Contents U.S. Prices Received and Indexes Page Narrative 2 Price Indexes 5 Index Charts 6 U.S. Prices Received Summary 8 Price Charts 10 Selected Commodities 14 Upland Cotton & Rice Marketings 17 Parity Prices 24 Reliability Statement 26 Monthly State Prices Received Apples 17 Barley 15 Beans, Dry Edible 16 Beef Cattle, All 20 Calves 20 Cows, Beef 20 Steers and Heifers 20 Canola 16 Citrus Fruit 18 Monthly State Prices, continued Page Corn 15 Cotton 17 Cottonseed 17 Eggs 22 Flaxseed 16 Hay 17 Hogs, All 21 Barrows and Gilts 21 Sows 21 Milk 23 Milk Cows 23 Oats 15 Peanuts 16 Potatoes 19 Sorghum Grain 15 Sheep 22 Lambs 22 Soybeans 15 Sunflower, All 16 Wheat, All Classes 14 Table of Contents (continued) U.S. Prices Paid, Prices Paid Indexes and Ratios Page Narrative 27 Indexes and Parity Ratios 28 Charts 30 Feed Price Ratios 33 Reliability Statement 34 U.S. Average Prices Prices Used to Calculate Feed Price Ratios 33 Feeder Livestock 33 Information Contacts 35 Index Numbers of Prices Received, United States, March 2009, with Comparisons 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1910-14=100 : 1990-92=100 :------------------------------------------------------ Index : : 2008 : 2009 : 2008 : 2009 :Average :--------------------------------------------- :1990-92 : Mar : Feb : Mar : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : All Farm Products : 639 928 *797 798 146 *126 126 : All Crops : 500 828 *721 730 167 *146 147 Food Grains : 325 971 *644 647 306 *203 204 Feed Grains & Hay : 363 713 *605 614 200 *170 172 Cotton : 517 533 *352 346 104 *69 67 Tobacco 2/ : 1263 1395 1568 1568 92 104 104 Oil-Bearing Crops : 554 1125 947 900 205 173 164 Fruits & Nuts : 716 1024 *845 866 147 121 124 Commercial Vegetables : 698 958 *972 1043 134 *136 146 Potatoes & Dry Beans : 540 744 *776 787 147 *153 155 Other Crops : 493 602 602 602 122 122 122 : Livestock & Products : 768 991 *836 827 129 109 108 Meat Animals : 1021 1143 *1066 1061 112 *105 104 Dairy Products : 799 1114 *714 708 139 *89 88 Poultry & Eggs : 282 445 395 384 159 141 137 : Food Commodities : 144 122 121 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ Revised historical price indexes for months not shown are available at www.nass.usda.gov. 2/ Monthly prices discontinued July 2005. Selected Index Numbers for Prices Received and Paid, 1990-92=100, by Month, United States, 2008 and 2009 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Index of Prices Received : Index of Prices Paid :---------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Livestock : : Month : All Farm : All : and : All : Production : Products : Crops : Products : Items : Items :---------------------------------------------------------------- :2008 :2009 :2008 : 2009 : 2008 :2009 : 2008 :2009 : 2008 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jan : 144 139 158 160 129 114 169 175 170 177 Feb : 146 126 164 146 131 109 171 174 173 175 Mar : 146 126 167 147 129 108 174 174 177 175 Apr : 146 169 127 179 185 May : 152 173 134 183 190 Jun : 158 183 137 187 195 Jul : 159 182 138 190 200 Aug : 156 177 137 190 200 Sep : 154 174 133 188 198 Oct : 150 167 127 185 192 Nov : 141 156 123 179 185 Dec : 135 149 119 175 179 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Revised historical price indexes for months not shown are available at www.nass.usda.gov. Prices Received, United States, March 2009, with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Entire Month :Preliminary : : Average :---------------------------------- Commodity :Unit: 1990-92 : Mar : Feb : Mar : : : 2008 : 2009 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Dollars : : : : Field Crops : : : : Barley, All : Bu : 2.12 4.18 4.94 4.82 Feed : Bu : 1.90 4.29 2.63 2.98 Malting : Bu : 2.43 4.14 5.50 5.07 Beans, Dry Edible : Cwt: 19.10 32.20 30.10 28.80 Canola : Cwt: 26.40 15.60 14.10 Chickpeas, All : Cwt: 30.50 37.10 40.00 Large : Cwt: 30.60 37.20 40.00 Small : Cwt: 25.60 18.10 6/ Corn : Bu : 2.30 4.70 3.87 3.96 Cotton, Upland : Lb : 0.606 0.630 0.416 0.409 Cottonseed 1/ : Ton: 96.00 213.00 : : Flaxseed : Bu : 4.27 17.50 9.92 8.70 Hay, All, Baled 2/ : Ton: 76.30 133.00 132.00 129.00 Alfalfa 2/ : Ton: 77.20 144.00 143.00 137.00 Other 2/ : Ton: 60.00 116.00 107.00 109.00 Lentils : Cwt: 29.90 29.50 29.10 Oats : Bu : 1.22 3.43 2.76 2.11 Peanuts, In-Shell : Lb : 0.304 0.207 0.253 0.256 Peas, Dry Edible : Cwt: 17.30 12.20 11.30 Austrian Winter : Cwt: 12.60 6/ 6/ Potatoes : Cwt: 5.82 8.37 8.87 9.07 : : Rice, All : Cwt: 7.07 13.60 15.60 15.50 Long 3/ : Cwt: 14.20 13.60 Medium & Short 3/ : Cwt: 23.10 23.60 Sorghum Grain : Cwt: 3.75 9.04 5.05 5.54 Soybeans : Bu : 5.61 11.40 9.55 9.13 Sunflower, All : Cwt: 9.50 25.90 23.00 21.50 : : Wheat, All : Bu : 2.96 10.50 5.79 5.85 Winter : Bu : 2.93 9.96 5.26 5.27 Durum : Bu : 2.86 15.40 7.53 7.05 Other Spring : Bu : 3.11 10.90 6.62 6.51 Hard Red Winter : Bu : 9.93 5.39 Soft Red Winter : Bu : 9.70 4.61 Hard Red Spring : Bu : 10.90 6.74 White : Bu : 3.24 10.20 5.26 : : Fruit : : : : Citrus, Equiv on-tree : : Grapefruit : Box: 5.77 2.70 3.79 3.33 Lemons : Box: 10.10 23.67 4.03 1.97 Oranges : Box: 5.79 6.20 5.43 5.06 Tangelos : Box: 5.82 6/ -0.61 6/ Tangerines and Mandarins : Box: 15.11 11.70 18.98 15.10 : : Noncitrus, Fresh : : Apples 4/ : Lb : 0.212 0.344 0.242 0.221 Grapes 4/ : Ton: 506.00 6/ 6/ 6/ Peaches 4/ : Ton: 432.00 6/ 6/ 6/ Pears 4/ : Ton: 370.00 537.00 450.00 442.00 Strawberries : Cwt: 56.00 95.30 128.00 108.00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Marketing year August - February. 2/ Mid-month price. 3/ Published estimates began in August 2008. 4/ Equivalent packinghouse-door returns for CA, MI, and NY (apples only), and WA (apples, peaches, and pears). Prices as sold for other states. 5/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. 6/ Insufficient sales to establish a price. Prices Received, United States, March 2009, with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Entire Month :Preliminary : : Average :-------------------------------------- Commodity :Unit : 1990-92 : Mar : Feb : Mar : : : 2008 : 2009 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Dollars : : : : Vegetables, Fresh 1/ : : : : Asparagus : Cwt : 79.80 107.00 78.10 96.60 Broccoli : Cwt : 22.50 30.80 29.50 27.80 Cantaloups 2/ : Cwt : Carrots : Cwt : 13.20 25.90 25.20 25.20 Cauliflower : Cwt : 26.80 41.70 30.20 39.30 Celery : Cwt : 11.60 13.40 29.70 16.60 Corn, Sweet : Cwt : 15.70 28.60 46.40 60.30 Cucumbers 2/ : Cwt : 20.50 Lettuce : Cwt : 11.90 14.70 17.20 18.90 Onions : Cwt : 12.80 2.53 6.80 5.18 Snap Beans 2/ : Cwt : 37.70 86.20 107.00 Tomatoes : Cwt : 32.30 66.10 32.70 38.10 : : Livestock : : : : Calves : Cwt : 94.30 118.00 105.00 104.00 Cattle, All Beef : Cwt : 72.90 87.80 78.80 78.50 Cows 3/ : Cwt : 49.60 51.50 43.90 44.00 Steers & Heifers : Cwt : 77.10 92.90 83.80 83.50 Milk Cows 4/ : Head: 1130.00 : : Hogs, All : Cwt : 47.70 40.30 43.90 44.20 Barrows & Gilts : Cwt : 48.40 41.10 43.90 44.30 Sows : Cwt : 39.50 22.50 43.40 42.00 : : Lambs : Cwt : 56.20 97.40 100.00 Sheep : Cwt : 23.40 28.70 31.90 : : Dairy and Poultry : : : : Milk, All 5/ 6/ : Cwt : 13.06 18.10 11.60 11.50 Fluid Grade 6/ : Cwt : 13.10 18.00 11.60 11.50 Mfg Grade 6/ : Cwt : 11.80 18.30 10.50 10.90 : : Broilers, Live 7/ : Lb : 0.317 0.460 0.470 0.450 Eggs, All 8/ : Doz : 0.643 1.380 0.809 0.816 Market 8/ 9/ : Doz : 0.546 1.300 0.639 0.643 Turkeys, live 8/ 10/: Lb : 0.380 0.529 0.465 0.467 : : Adjusted for Seasonal : : Variation 11/ : : Eggs, All : Doz : 0.545 1.240 0.768 0.734 Milk, All 5/ : Cwt : 9.71 19.10 12.10 12.20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Beginning January 2006, point of first sale. F.O.B. shipping point for prior years. 2/ Monthly estimates began January 1995. 3/ Beef cows and cull dairy cows sold for slaughter. 4/ Animals sold for dairy herd replacement only. Prices available for Jan, Apr, Jul, and Oct. 5/ Before deductions for hauling. Includes quality, quantity, and other premiums. Excludes hauling subsidies. 6/ March 2009 Fat test percent: all milk, 3.70; fluid milk, 3.69; mfg grade, 4.03. 7/ Equivalent live weight price. 8/ Mid-month price. 9/ Also referred to as table eggs. 10/ Live weight equivalent price is used when actual live weight price is not available. 11/ Seasonal adjustment factors are: All Eggs March 2008, 111; February 2009, 105; and March 2009, 111. All Milk March 2008, 95; February 2009, 96; and March 2009, 94. Wheat: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : All Wheat : Winter Wheat : Durum Wheat :Oth Spring Wheat State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Bushel : AR : 4.56 4.40 4.56 4.40 CA : 3/ 3/ 3/ 3/ 4/ 4/ CO : 6.49 5.13 5.45 5.23 3/ 3/ ID : 5.45 5.61 5.26 5.30 3/ 3/ 5.72 6.40 IL : 4.82 5.00 4.82 5.00 IN : 5.23 5.00 5.23 5.00 KS : 5.17 5.25 5.17 5.25 MI : 4.36 4.50 4.36 4.50 MN : 6.22 6.20 5.04 5.00 6.42 6.40 MO : 4.15 4.30 4.15 4.30 MT : 6.62 6.19 5.90 5.50 9.12 7.86 7.19 6.84 NE : 5.08 5.30 5.08 5.30 ND : 6.50 6.51 5.03 5.20 6.92 6.70 6.52 6.55 OH : 4.29 4.39 4.29 4.39 OK : 5.01 5.05 5.01 5.05 OR : 5.64 5.37 5.47 5.20 6.48 6.10 SD : 6.10 5.85 5.68 5.41 6.60 6.39 TX : 5.22 5.72 5.22 5.72 WA : 5.54 5.23 5.42 5.13 6.22 5.77 : US : 5.79 5.85 5.26 5.27 7.53 7.05 6.62 6.51 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. 3/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. 4/ Insufficient sales to establish a price. Prices Received for Selected Agricultural Commodities, by Month, United States, 2008 and 2009 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : All Wheat : Corn : Soybeans :Beef Cattle 2/ : All Hogs Month :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2008 : 2009 : 2008 : 2009 : 2008 : 2009 : 2008 : 2009 : 2008 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :---------- Dollars per Bushel ---------- ------- Dollars per ------- : ----------- Cwt ----------- : Jan : 7.96 6.21 3.98 4.36 9.95 9.97 87.50 80.10 37.40 42.80 Feb :10.10 5.79 4.54 3.87 11.70 9.55 89.00 78.80 42.20 43.90 Mar :10.50 5.85 4.70 3.96 11.40 9.13 87.80 78.50 40.30 44.20 Apr :10.10 5.14 12.00 86.80 44.40 May : 8.87 5.27 12.10 91.30 55.30 Jun : 7.62 5.47 13.10 91.90 53.40 Jul : 7.16 5.25 13.30 95.00 54.30 Aug : 7.64 5.26 12.80 95.80 60.70 Sep : 7.43 5.02 10.70 94.20 52.60 Oct : 6.67 4.37 9.94 87.40 48.50 Nov : 6.28 4.26 9.38 84.30 40.70 Dec : 5.97 4.10 9.24 79.70 41.90 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Current month prices are mid-month; prices for previous months are for the entire month. 2/ Cows, steers and heifers. Grains: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : All Barley : Corn : Oats : Soybeans : Sorghum Grain State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- :Feb 1/:Mar 2/:Feb 1/:Mar 2/:Feb 1/:Mar 2/:Feb 1/:Mar 2/:Feb 1/ :Mar 2/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :----------------- Dollars per Bushel ----------------- Dollars per Cwt : AL : AR : 9.62 9.40 4.90 5.25 CA : 3/ 4/ 4/ 4/ CO : 3/ 3/ 3.97 4.00 ID : 4.58 4.94 IL : 3.75 3.90 4/ 4/ 9.62 9.40 5.71 6.00 IN : 4.06 4.10 9.88 9.20 IA : 3.97 4.00 2.78 2.80 9.48 9.10 KS : 3.55 3.63 2.67 2.21 9.26 8.65 4.94 5.45 KY : 4.37 4.40 10.20 9.50 LA : 9.44 8.78 MI : 3.67 3.80 3.54 3.00 9.63 9.10 MN : 3/ 4.78 3.69 3.85 1.88 2.00 9.33 8.65 MS : 9.55 8.77 MO : 3.99 4.10 9.50 9.40 5.45 5.90 MT : 5.56 4.99 4/ 4/ NE : 3.96 4.00 2.52 2.50 9.27 8.75 4.93 5.50 NY : 3/ 3/ NC : 4.33 4.26 9.48 8.90 ND : 5.26 4.81 3.55 3.60 1.83 3/ 9.18 8.50 OH : 4.15 4.25 3/ 4/ 9.96 9.63 OK : 4.97 5.45 OR : 2.75 2.70 4/ 4/ PA : 4.36 4.19 2.65 2.60 SD : 3/ 3/ 3.67 3.70 2.13 1.74 9.37 8.70 TN : 3.87 4.15 9.63 9.50 TX : 4.11 4.20 3/ 4/ 5.32 5.67 UT : 3.63 3.28 WA : 2.43 2.43 WI : 3.73 3.80 2.68 2.50 8.98 8.80 WY : 3/ 3/ : US : 4.94 4.82 3.87 3.96 2.76 2.11 9.55 9.13 5.05 5.54 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. 3/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. 4/ Insufficient sales to establish a price. Malting and Feed Barley: Prices Received Selected State, February and March 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Malting Barley : Feed Barley State :-------------------------------------------------------------- : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Bushel : ID : 4.95 5.25 2.44 2.70 MN : 3/ 4.90 2.48 2.50 MT : 5.93 5.20 2.72 3.27 ND : 5.55 5.00 3.11 3.11 SD : 3/ 3/ 4/ 4/ WY : 3/ 3/ 3/ 3/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. 3/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. 4/ Insufficient sales to establish a price. Field Crops: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dry Edible : All : : : : Beans : Sunflower : Canola : Flaxseed : Peanuts 4/ State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- :Feb 1/:Mar 2/:Feb 1/:Mar 2/:Feb 1/:Mar 2/:Feb 1/:Mar 2/:Feb 1/:Mar 3/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :-------------- Dollars per ------------- Dollars per Dollars per :------------------ Cwt ----------------- -- Bushel -- --- Pound --- : AL : 0.243 0.246 CA :58.50 5/ CO :32.00 29.50 FL : 5/ 5/ GA : 0.240 0.245 ID :39.70 40.60 KS : 20.90 19.10 MI :31.30 33.00 MN :37.40 6/ 29.90 5/ 5/ 6/ NE :29.40 28.30 NC : 0.298 0.300 ND :26.20 25.40 23.30 22.40 15.60 14.10 9.92 8.70 SD : 20.20 18.70 6/ 6/ TX : 0.269 5/ VA : 5/ 5/ : US :30.10 28.80 23.00 21.50 15.60 14.10 9.92 8.70 0.253 0.256 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. 3/ Based on sales through first half of month. 4/ In-Shell. 5/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. 6/ Insufficient sales to establish a price. Field Crops and Apples: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : March : Cotton, Upland :-------------------------------------------------- State : : Cotton- : Hay, Baled 3/ : Apples :-------------------: seed :-----------------------------: Fresh : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : 5/ : All : Alfalfa : Other :Use 2/ 4/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Pound -------- Dollars per Ton -------- Dol/Lb : AL : 0.411 0.461 AZ : 6/ 6/ 170.00 170.00 173.00 AR : 0.447 0.514 CA : 6/ 6/ 143.00 144.00 137.00 CO : 161.00 165.00 125.00 GA : 0.456 0.516 ID : 160.00 168.00 110.00 IL : 131.00 138.00 100.00 IA : 116.00 122.00 84.00 KS : 113.00 122.00 77.00 KY : 126.00 170.00 90.00 LA : 0.491 0.531 MI : 148.00 150.00 130.00 0.280 MN : 101.00 115.00 75.00 MS : 0.531 0.531 MO : 89.00 155.00 75.00 MT : 123.00 125.00 94.00 NE : 87.00 89.00 74.00 NV : 168.00 169.00 154.00 NM : 191.00 194.00 158.00 NY : 126.00 165.00 110.00 0.259 NC : 0.442 0.531 ND : 93.00 100.00 70.00 OH : 142.00 183.00 115.00 0.440 OK : 121.00 153.00 79.00 OR : 164.00 153.00 197.00 PA : 140.00 166.00 136.00 0.300 SD : 80.00 81.00 66.00 TN : 0.434 0.399 TX : 0.385 0.368 115.00 190.00 100.00 UT : 156.00 160.00 135.00 VA : 0.320 WA : 185.00 180.00 200.00 0.212 WI : 84.00 85.00 65.00 WY : 112.00 114.00 108.00 : US : 0.416 0.409 129.00 137.00 109.00 0.221 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Based on sales during the first half of the month. 3/ Mid-month. 4/ Equivalent packinghouse-door returns for CA, MI, NY, and WA. Price at point of first sale for other States. 5/ Marketing year August - February. 6/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. 7/ Insufficient sales to establish a price. Upland Cotton and Rice: Prices Received and Marketings, United States, March 2009, with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item : Unit :Mar 2008 1/ :Feb 2009 1/ :Mar 2009 2/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Cotton, Upland : : Average Price :Dollars per Pound: 0.630 0.416 0.409 Marketings 3/ :1,000 Bales : 496 739 NA : : Rice, All : : Average Price :Dollars per Cwt : 13.60 15.60 15.50 Marketings 4/ :1,000 Cwt : 14,581 13,395 NA : : Rice, Long 5/ : : Average Price :Dollars per Cwt : 14.20 13.60 Marketings 4/ :1,000 Cwt : 11,358 NA : : Rice, Medium & Short 5/: : Average Price :Dollars per Cwt : 23.10 23.60 Marketings 4/ :1,000 Cwt : 2,037 NA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Based on purchases for the first half of the month. 3/ Marketings based on a survey of cotton buyers in the major producing States - AL, AZ, AR, CA, GA, LA, MS, NC, TN, and TX. 4/ Purchases by private firms and rice (rough equivalent) shipped by cooperatives. 5/ Published estimates began in August 2008. Citrus Fruit: Prices and Equivalent Returns, by Utilization, by State and United States, March 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Equivalent Returns 1/ Commodity, :F.O.B. :----------------------------------------------------- State :Packed : Packinghouse-door : On-tree and Type : Fresh :----------------------------------------------------- : : All : Fresh :Process : All : Fresh :Process -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Box : Grapefruit : CA : 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ FL : 18.70 5.63 9.84 3.21 2.96 7.50 0.36 White : 18.70 3.95 9.80 2.80 1.40 7.50 0.20 Colored : 18.70 6.28 9.85 3.45 3.56 7.50 0.45 TX : 21.00 5.90 9.97 1.60 4.65 8.69 0.37 : US : 19.00 5.71 9.45 2.90 3.33 7.28 0.34 : Lemons : AZ : 22.00 1.14 11.52 -0.46 -4.50 5.88 -6.10 CA : 2/ 8.06 2/ -0.46 2.42 2/ -6.10 : US : 24.90 7.61 14.37 -0.46 1.97 8.73 -6.10 : Oranges : CA : 23.10 13.14 14.88 1.76 10.54 12.28 -0.84 Navel and Misc: 23.50 13.29 15.27 1.44 10.69 12.67 -1.16 Valencia : 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ 2/ FL : 16.00 5.95 6.75 5.92 3.27 3.81 3.25 Early and Mids: 16.00 7.88 6.75 7.90 5.27 3.85 5.30 Valencia : 16.00 5.09 6.75 5.00 2.38 3.80 2.30 TX : Early and Mids: 17.40 6.18 6.26 2.40 4.69 4.77 0.95 : US : 22.20 7.72 13.72 5.74 5.06 11.09 3.07 : Tangerines and : Mandarins : AZ : 2/ 9.67 2/ 0.22 6.30 2/ -3.15 CA : 2/ 19.75 2/ 0.22 16.38 2/ -3.15 FL : 28.00 13.38 16.75 1.85 9.32 12.65 -2.05 : US : 32.80 18.59 22.91 0.55 15.10 19.42 -2.93 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Net lbs. per box: Grapefruit - AZ & CA-67, FL-85, TX-80; Lemons - 76; Oranges - AZ & CA-75, FL-90, TX-85; Tangelos - 90; Tangerines and Mandarins- AZ & CA-75, FL-95. 2/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. Potatoes: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2009 1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : :: : : State : Feb : Mar 2/ :: State : Feb : Mar 2/ : : :: : : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Cwt :: : Dollars per Cwt : :: : AL : :: : AZ : :: NC : CA - All 3/ : 16.50 11.30 :: ND - All 3/ : 9.10 8.95 - Winter : 24.30 16.60 :: - Fresh 4/ : 13.90 NA - Spring : :: - Processing : 7.20 NA - Summer : :: OR : 9.20 9.60 - Fall : 8.60 8.60 :: TX : CO - All 3/ : 10.50 9.80 :: VA : - Fresh 4/ : 12.10 NA :: WA - All 3/ : 8.70 8.35 FL : 22.10 22.80 :: - Processing : 6.55 NA ID - All 3/ : 6.75 7.90 :: WI - All 3/ : 11.20 11.70 - Fresh 4/ : 7.70 NA :: - Fresh 4/ : 13.50 NA - Processing : 6.20 NA :: - Processing : 9.25 NA ME : 10.30 10.40 :: : MI : 10.20 9.80 :: US - All 3/ : 8.87 9.07 MN : 6.95 7.05 :: - Fresh 4/ : 12.36 NA NY : 13.70 13.90 :: - Processing : 6.84 NA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Missing data indicate no potatoes being marketed. 2/ Preliminary price reflecting prices received for the entire month. 3/ Average price of potatoes sold for all uses, including table stocks, processing, seed, and livestock feed. 4/ Fresh market prices only, includes table stock prices. Cattle: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Cows 1/ :Steers & Heifers : Beef Cattle 4/ : Calves State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Feb 2/ : Mar 3/ : Feb 2/ : Mar 3/ : Feb 2/ : Mar 3/ : Feb 2/ : Mar 3/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Cwt : AZ : 43.00 42.00 83.00 83.00 63.80 63.30 101.00 99.00 AR : 42.50 40.50 88.00 88.50 74.40 74.10 97.00 96.50 CA : 39.10 39.50 83.80 83.60 63.20 63.30 103.00 103.00 CO : 45.50 45.70 89.50 89.00 88.60 88.10 105.00 105.00 FL : 46.60 43.60 78.00 81.00 63.40 65.80 91.30 93.00 GA : 47.90 46.20 78.20 79.30 60.00 58.80 91.90 91.30 ID : 40.80 39.00 83.30 80.90 74.00 70.80 98.00 93.00 IL : 44.10 45.00 83.00 83.90 82.20 83.10 94.00 97.00 IA : 46.50 47.00 84.00 83.50 83.30 82.80 101.00 101.00 KS : 45.70 46.30 83.40 82.70 82.30 81.60 114.00 113.00 KY : 44.00 43.00 83.00 82.00 73.60 72.60 94.00 94.00 LA : 44.10 43.50 79.70 82.00 54.10 54.30 93.00 91.00 MI : 45.00 45.00 78.00 78.00 68.10 68.10 88.00 88.00 MN : 46.60 47.60 79.90 79.20 71.50 71.20 107.00 106.00 MO : 42.00 41.50 91.90 90.70 74.90 79.90 105.00 104.00 MT : 41.40 42.60 92.70 94.00 79.90 77.00 108.00 107.00 NE : 48.30 48.70 84.10 84.60 83.00 83.50 112.00 111.00 NM : 46.90 46.00 87.00 86.50 71.00 71.90 106.00 107.00 ND : 45.00 45.00 91.00 89.00 85.00 82.80 103.00 102.00 OH : 41.70 42.00 81.10 81.10 77.20 77.20 91.20 91.20 OK : 44.90 41.90 92.70 90.30 88.30 85.90 105.00 103.00 OR : 41.00 44.00 82.00 82.00 73.80 74.40 99.00 102.00 PA : 47.50 45.00 79.80 78.80 71.40 70.00 97.00 96.00 SD : 44.40 45.80 92.20 91.70 86.90 87.10 110.00 105.00 TN : 43.00 41.00 84.00 83.00 67.60 66.20 93.00 92.00 TX : 41.10 40.80 83.40 82.60 79.60 78.40 99.10 99.60 VA : 42.00 41.00 82.00 80.00 67.20 69.50 94.00 93.00 WI : 42.00 43.70 74.10 74.60 55.50 56.70 131.00 129.00 WY : 41.50 44.00 94.00 94.00 84.60 86.00 114.00 109.00 : US : 43.90 44.00 83.80 83.50 78.80 78.50 105.00 104.00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Beef cows and cull dairy cows sold for slaughter. 2/ Entire month. 3/ Mid-month. 4/ "Cows" and "steers and heifers" combined. Hogs: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Sows : Barrows and Gilts : All Hogs :----------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Cwt : AR : 46.00 44.00 40.50 41.50 41.10 41.80 IL : 39.90 38.80 47.80 48.50 47.20 47.70 IN : 48.10 46.40 46.60 47.20 46.70 47.10 IA : 41.20 39.00 44.50 45.00 44.40 44.90 KS : 46.20 44.70 38.30 38.40 39.30 39.20 MN : 44.70 42.60 44.70 44.50 44.70 44.50 MO : 42.70 41.00 38.20 39.20 38.60 39.30 NE : 47.00 44.90 44.70 44.50 44.70 44.50 NC : 49.00 47.60 43.20 43.30 43.30 43.30 OH : 42.50 41.80 41.70 42.20 41.70 42.20 OK : 40.80 39.50 36.70 37.30 37.40 37.70 PA : 47.80 47.10 43.90 44.10 44.50 44.60 SD : 41.10 39.40 44.60 45.40 44.30 44.80 : US : 43.40 42.00 43.90 44.30 43.90 44.20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. Sheep and Poultry: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : February : March State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Sheep 1/ : Lambs 1/ : Market Eggs 2/ 3/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ Dollars per Cwt ------ Dollars per Dozen : AL : 0.650 AR : 0.650 CA : 33.00 93.00 0.730 CO : 34.00 100.00 CT : 0.610 FL : 0.630 GA : 0.674 ID : 29.00 95.00 IN : 0.640 IA : 27.00 95.50 0.600 KY : 44.00 104.00 ME : 0.830 MI : 0.640 MN : 32.90 100.00 0.700 MS : 0.600 MO : 39.30 105.00 0.610 MT : 27.70 112.00 NE : 29.50 96.80 NY : 0.622 NC : 0.630 ND : 26.00 102.00 OH : 36.00 99.90 0.640 OR : 44.00 96.00 PA : 50.10 115.00 0.610 SC : 0.610 SD : 24.20 110.00 TX : 29.90 117.00 0.650 VA : 40.00 111.00 WA : 0.763 WV : 41.00 114.00 WY : 32.40 101.00 : US : 31.90 100.00 0.643 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. 3/ Also referred to as table eggs. Milk and Milk Cows: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2009 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : February 2/ : March :------------------------------------------------------------------------ State : Fluid Grade : Manufacturing : All Milk : All Milk : : Milk 3/ : Grade Milk 4/ : 5/ : 5/ 6/ : Milk :---------------------------------------------------------------:Cows 7/ : : Fat : : Fat : : Fat : : Fat : : Price : Test : Price : Test : Price : Test : Price : Test : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :Dol/Cwt Percent Dol/Cwt Percent Dol/Cwt Percent Dol/Cwt Percent Dol/Head : AZ : 10.80 3.53 10.80 3.53 10.70 3.51 CA : 10.50 3.73 10.50 4.21 10.50 3.74 10.70 3.69 CO : 11.80 3.52 11.80 3.52 11.10 3.50 FL : 16.30 3.62 16.30 3.62 14.50 3.58 ID : 10.50 3.66 10.50 3.66 11.00 3.63 IL : 12.50 3.80 11.40 3.90 12.50 3.80 12.00 3.78 IN : 12.30 3.74 12.30 3.74 11.50 3.70 IA : 12.10 3.71 10.00 3.87 12.10 3.71 11.50 3.67 KS : 13.00 3.70 13.00 3.70 12.40 3.68 MI : 12.30 3.71 12.30 3.71 12.00 3.68 MN : 12.10 3.76 10.20 3.86 12.10 3.76 12.40 3.74 MO : 12.50 3.68 9.50 3.85 12.40 3.69 11.40 3.68 NM : 11.00 3.58 11.00 3.58 10.70 3.56 NY : 12.20 3.80 12.20 3.80 11.20 3.78 OH : 13.20 3.88 11.00 4.02 13.10 3.89 12.00 3.83 OR : 12.30 3.74 12.30 3.74 11.90 3.70 PA : 13.50 3.80 13.50 3.80 12.70 3.80 TX : 12.20 3.75 12.20 3.75 12.10 3.67 UT : 10.80 3.71 10.80 3.71 10.50 3.67 VT : 12.60 3.81 12.60 3.81 11.70 3.81 VA : 14.50 3.74 14.50 3.74 13.30 3.70 WA : 10.70 3.74 10.70 3.74 10.70 3.70 WI : 11.50 3.75 10.60 3.92 11.50 3.76 12.30 3.75 : US : 11.60 3.73 10.50 4.07 11.60 3.73 11.50 3.70 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Beginning in March 2009 Utah was added and Kentucky removed from the monthly price program. 2/ Entire month. 3/ Including milk diverted to manufacturing. 4/ IN no longer published due to insufficient manufacturing grade milk volume. 5/ Before deductions for hauling. Includes quality, quantity, and other premiums. Excludes hauling subsidies. 6/ Preliminary. 7/ Animals sold for dairy herd replacement only. Prices published January, April, July and October. Parity Price Equivalent for Manufacturing Grade Milk 1/: United States, February and March 2009, with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item : Unit :Mar 2008 :Feb 2009 :Mar 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parity Equivalent : Dollars per Cwt : 42.10 41.00 41.20 Average Price F.O.B : Dollars per Cwt : 18.30 10.50 10.90 Average Fat Test of Milk : Percent : 4.08 4.07 4.03 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ The parity price equivalent during 2009 is 93.2 percent of the parity price of all milk sold to plants, compared with 92.4 percent in 2008. For additional details, see January 2009 issue of "Agricultural Prices". Parity Prices for Farm Products and Average Prices Received as Percent of Parity Prices, United States, with Comparisons 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Parity Price : Price as Percent :Adjusted: : of Parity Commodity and Unit : Base :----------------------------------------- : Price : Mar : Feb : Mar : Mar : Feb : Mar : : 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : 2009 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- Dollars --------- ---- Percent --- : Basic Commodities : All Wheat, Bu : 0.578 12.50 13.30 13.40 84 44 44 Rice, Cwt : 1.54 30.20 35.50 35.70 45 44 43 Corn, Bu : 0.357 7.89 8.22 8.27 60 47 48 Cotton, Lb : American Upland : 0.078 2.15 1.80 1.81 29 23 23 Extra Long Staple : 0.134 3.21 3.08 3.10 31 37 36 Peanuts, Lb : 0.033 0.819 0.760 0.764 25 33 34 Small Chickpeas, Cwt 5/ : Large Chickpeas, Cwt 5/ : Lentils, Cwt 5/ : : Designated Nonbasic : All Milk, Sold to : Plants, Per Cwt 2/ : 1.91 45.60 44.00 44.20 42 28 28 Honey, Extracted, Lb 3/ : 0.121 2.86 2.79 2.80 36 37 37 : Wool and Mohair : Wool, Lb : 0.082 1.87 1.89 1.90 47 47 46 Mohair, Lb : 0.364 8.69 8.38 8.43 43 39 39 : Other Nonbasic : Barley, Bu : 0.390 8.61 8.98 9.03 49 55 53 Canola, Cwt : 1.570 35.80 36.10 36.40 74 43 39 Cottonseed, Ton : 14.30 337.00 329.00 331.00 52 65 64 Dry Edible Beans, Cwt : 2.79 63.40 64.20 64.60 51 47 45 Flaxseed, Bu : 0.946 21.10 21.80 21.90 83 46 40 Mustard Seed, Cwt : 2.41 46.80 55.50 55.80 Oats, Bu : 0.236 5.13 5.43 5.47 67 51 39 Potatoes, Cwt : 0.819 19.40 18.90 19.00 43 47 48 Rapeseed, Cwt : 1.86 40.50 42.80 43.10 Rye, Bu : 0.454 9.83 10.50 10.50 Safflower, Cwt : 1.95 44.00 44.90 45.20 Sorghum Grain, Cwt : 0.639 14.10 14.70 14.80 64 34 37 Soybeans, Bu : 0.868 19.50 20.00 20.10 58 48 45 All Sunflower, Cwt : 1.78 39.30 41.00 41.20 66 56 52 Sweetpotatoes, Cwt : 2.30 54.80 52.90 53.30 Apples, Fresh, Lb 4/ : 0.033 0.749 0.760 0.764 46 32 29 Citrus (equiv on-tree), Box : Grapefruit : 0.644 14.80 14.80 14.90 18 26 22 Lemons : 1.42 28.60 32.70 32.90 83 12 6 Oranges : 0.661 15.20 15.20 15.30 41 36 33 Tangerines : 1.41 32.10 32.50 32.70 36 58 46 Beef Cattle, Cwt : 10.20 239.00 235.00 236.00 37 34 33 Calves, Cwt : 14.60 346.00 336.00 338.00 34 31 31 Hogs, Cwt : 5.57 131.00 128.00 129.00 31 34 34 Lambs, Cwt : 11.50 272.00 265.00 266.00 36 38 Sheep, Cwt : 4.44 109.00 102.00 103.00 26 31 Eggs, Doz 2/ : 0.091 2.08 2.09 2.11 60 37 35 Turkeys, Live, Lb : 0.056 1.310 1.290 1.300 40 36 36 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Parity prices are computed under the provisions of Title III, Subtitle a, Section 301 (a) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 as amended by the Agricultural Acts of 1948, 1949, and 1956. See January "Agricultural Prices" for details on adjusted base price and parity price computations. 2/ Seasonally adjusted price as percentage of parity price. 3/ Wholesale extracted. Adjusted base price derived from state annual averages prices weighted by production. For 1982 through 1985 the national averages are the support prices. 4/ Equivalent packinghouse-door returns for CA, NY (apples only), OR (except peaches), and WA. Price at point of first sale for other states. 5/ Not available. Parity Prices for Farm Products, March 2009, United States 1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Nonbasic :Adjusted:Parity :: Other Nonbasic :Adjusted:Parity Commodities : Base : Price :: Commodities : Base : Price : Price : :: : Price : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :Dollars Dollars:: :Dollars Dollars : :: : Field Crops and : :: : Misc Commodities : :: Noncitrus Fruit, : Hops, Lb : 0.284 6.58 :: Continued : Spearmint Oil, Lb : 1.35 31.30 :: Papayas (HI) : 0.047 1.090 Tobacco, Lb : :: Peaches : Flue-Cured, 11-14 : 0.222 5.14 :: Fresh, Ton 2/ : 82.20 1,900.00 Fire-Cured, 21-23 : 0.303 7.02 :: Dried, CA, : Burley, 31 : 0.236 5.47 :: Ton : 70.10 1,620.00 Maryland, 32 : 0.188 4.35 :: Processing 3/ : Dark Air-Cured, : :: Excl Dried : 35-37 : 0.271 6.28 :: Clingstone, : PA Seedleaf, 41 : 0.194 4.49 :: CA, Ton : 34.10 790.00 Cigar Binder, 51 : 0.699 16.20 :: Pears, Ton : : :: Fresh 2/ : 55.60 1,290.00 : :: Dried, CA 4/ : 169.00 3,910.00 Noncitrus Fruit : :: Plums, CA, Ton : Apples, Ton 4/ : :: Fresh, Equiv : Processing : 15.90 368.00 :: on-Tree : 61.40 1,420.00 Apricots, Ton : :: Prunes, Dried, : Fresh 5/ :105.00 2,430.00 :: CA, Ton 4/ : 146.00 3,380.00 Dried, CA :249.00 5,770.00 :: Prunes and Plums, : Avocados, Ton 5/ :221.00 5,120.00 :: Excl CA, Ton : Cherries : :: Fresh 7/ : 61.70 1,430.00 Sweet, Ton :206.00 4,770.00 :: Processing 4/ : Tart, Lb : 0.037 0.857:: Excl Dried : 27.60 639.00 Cranberry, Bbl 3/ : 4.39 102.00 :: : Dates, CA, Ton 5/ :199.00 4,610.00 :: Tree Nuts 8/ : Grapes, Ton : :: Almonds, Lb : 0.203 4.70 Raisin Variety :112.00 2,590.00 :: Hazelnuts, Ton : 166.00 3,840.00 Other Dried : 68.10 1,580.00 :: Pistachio, Lb : 0.185 4.28 Kiwifruit, Ton : 95.90 2,220.00 :: Walnuts, Ton : 174.00 4,030.00 Nectarines : :: : Fresh, CA, Ton 5/: 54.50 1,260.00 :: Vegetables, Cwt 9/ : Olives, CA : :: Fresh : canning, Ton 3/ : 89.40 2,070.00 :: Carrots 6/ : 2.50 57.90 : :: Cauliflower 6/ : 4.23 98.00 : :: Celery 6/ : 2.04 47.20 : :: Honeydew Melons : 2.44 56.50 : :: Lettuce : 2.31 53.50 : :: Onions 6/ : 1.54 35.70 : :: Tomatoes : 4.63 107.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Parity prices are computed under the provisions of Title III, Subtitle a, Section 301 (a) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 as amended by the Agricultural Acts of 1948, 1949, and 1956. See January "Agricultural Prices" for details on adjusted base price and parity price computations. 2/ Equivalent packinghouse-door returns for CA, NY (apples only), OR (except peaches), and WA. Price at point of first sale for other states. 3/ Equivalent returns for bulk fruit at first delivery point. 4/ Equivalent returns at processing plant door. 5/ Equivalent returns at packinghouse door. 6/ Includes some processing. 7/ Based on "as sold" prices for fresh fruit in all states. 8/ Prices in-shell basis except almonds which are shelled basis. 9/ F.O.B. shipping point prices. Reliability of Prices Received Estimates Definition: Prices received represent sales from producers to first buyers. They include all grades and qualities. The average commodity price from the survey multiplied by the total quantity marketed theoretically should give the total cash receipts for the commodity. Survey Procedures: Primary sales data used to determine grain prices were obtained from probability samples of about 2000 mills and elevators. These procedures ensure that virtually all grain moving into commercial channels has a chance of being included in the survey. Generally, States surveyed account for 90 percent or more of total U.S. production. Livestock prices are obtained from packers, stockyards, auctions, dealers, and market check data from AMS-USDA, private marketing organizations, and state commodity groups and agencies. Inter-farm sales of grain and livestock are not included since they represent very small percentages of the total marketings. Grain marketed for seed is also excluded. Fruit and vegetable prices are obtained from sample surveys and market check data from AMS-USDA, private marketing organizations, state agencies, and universities. Summary and Estimation Procedures: Survey quantities sold are expanded by strata to state levels and used to weight average strata prices to a state average. State prices are then weighted to a U.S. price based on expanded marketings. Recommendations are prepared by the State Field Offices and reviewed by the Agricultural Statistics Board in Washington, D.C. State recommendations are reviewed for reasonableness with survey data, other States, and recent historic estimates. Revisions: For most items, the current month's preliminary price represents a 3-5 day period around the 15th of the month. Previous month's prices represent actual dollars received for quantities sold during the entire month. Revisions are published in monthly issues of Agricultural Prices. Reliability: U.S. price estimates based on probability surveys generally have a sampling error of less than one percent for the major commodities such as corn, wheat, soybeans, cotton, and rice. Current methods of summarization for non-probability commodities are not designed directly to calculate sampling errors. However, analytical measures approximate the U.S. relative sampling errors at around five percent. Any nonsampling errors are attributed to such things as the inability to obtain correct information, differences in interpreting questions or definitions, mistakes in coding or processing the data, etc. Efforts are made at each step in the survey process to minimize these nonsampling errors. Prices Paid by Farmers The March Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW), at 174 (1990-92=100), is unchanged from February 2009 and March 2008. PRODUCTION INDEX: The March index, at 175, is unchanged from last month but down 1.1 percent from last year. Lower prices in March for nitrogen fertilizer, diesel fuel, feeder cattle, and feed concentrates offset higher prices for potash & phosphate, self-propelled machinery, herbicides, and insecticides. Feed: The March index, at 166, is unchanged from February but decreased 9.3 percent from last March. Since February, lower prices for feed concentrates and hay & forages offset slightly higher prices for feed grains, feed supplements, and complete feeds. Livestock & Poultry: The March index, at 117, decreased 0.8 percent from last month and 6.4 percent from last year. Since February, lower prices for feeder cattle more than offset higher prices for feeder pigs. The March feeder cattle price, at $91.10 per cwt, is down $1.90 per cwt from the February price. March feeder pigs averaged $148.00 per cwt, up $5.00 per cwt from February. Fertilizer: The March index, at 315, is down 2.8 percent from February but unchanged from March a year ago. Since February, lower prices for nitrogen fertilizer and mixed fertilizer more than offset higher prices for potash & phosphate. Chemicals: The March index, at 160, increased 4.6 percent from February and 19 percent from last March. Herbicide, insecticide, and fungicide prices increased. Fuels: The March index, at 187, is down 4.6 percent from a month earlier and 46 percent below March 2008. Compared with last month, prices are lower for diesel fuel and LP gas but higher for gasoline. Machinery: The March index, at 217, increased 1.9 percent from February and 9.0 percent above last March. Since February, prices are higher for self- propelled machinery and other machinery but lower for tractors. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: The February 2009 Consumer Price Index, as issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for all urban consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.5 percent before seasonal adjustment to a level of 212.193 (1982-84=100). This compares with the January index of 211.143. For the 12-month period ending in February, the overall index increased 0.2 percent. Indexes of Prices Paid by Farmers and Related Parity Ratios United States, March 2009 with Comparisons 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1910-14 = 100 : 1990-92 = 100 Indexes :---------------------------------------------- and : 2008 : 2009 : 2008 : 2009 Ratios :---------------------------------------------- : Mar : Feb : Mar : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prices Paid by Farmers for : Commodities & Services, : Interest, Taxes, & Wage : Rates (PPITW) : 2322 2321 2316 174 174 174 Production : 1721 1702 1694 177 175 175 Feed : 891 811 809 183 166 166 Livestock & Poultry : 1595 1509 1492 125 118 117 Seeds : 2086 2722 2722 211 275 275 Fertilizer : 1155 1186 1156 315 324 315 Chemicals : 827 945 989 134 153 160 Fuels : 2690 1513 1439 349 196 187 Supplies & Repairs : 1071 1115 1113 151 157 157 Autos & Trucks : 2940 2874 2907 111 108 109 Machinery : 5005 5348 5455 199 213 217 Building Materials : 2157 2240 2226 159 165 164 Services & Rent : 1753 1817 1815 Services : 144 148 148 Rent : 154 160 160 Interest 2/ : 3542 3862 3862 141 154 154 Taxes 3/ : 5670 6273 6273 212 234 234 Wage Rates : 6985 7062 7062 187 189 189 Production, Interest, Taxes, : & Wage Rates (PITW) : 2388 2388 2380 178 178 177 Family Living-CPI 4/ : 2028 2015 2025 158 157 158 : :---------------------------------------------- : :---------------------------------------------- Ratio (Received\Paid) : 84 72 72 Parity Ratio 5/ : 40 34 34 Parity Ratio Adjusted 6/ : 41 36 36 PPITW Adjusted for : Productivity 7/ : 1448 1448 1448 : :---------------------------------------------- : :---------------------------------------------- Crop Sector (PPITW) : 181 186 186 Livestock Sector (PPITW) : 168 163 163 : :---------------------------------------------- : :---------------------------------------------- Farm Sector (Production) : 167 167 166 Non-Farm Sector (Production) : 183 180 179 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Revised historical price indexes for months not shown are available at www.nass.usda.gov. 2/ Interest per acre on farm real estate debt and interest rate on farm non-real estate debt. 3/ Farm real estate taxes payable per acre. 4/ Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U), for the previous month converted by the USDA. 5/ Ratio of index of prices received to PPITW (1910-14=100). 6/ Based on estimated cash receipts, from marketings and government payments, the preliminary adjustment factor is 1.044 for 2009 and the revised factor is 1.041 for 2008. 7/ PPITW is adjusted based on productivity trend for the prior 15 years. Prices Paid Indexes and Annual Weights for Input Components and Sub-Components United States, March 2009 with Comparisons 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Input Indexes : Relative Weights :--------------------------- Index :5-Year Moving Average 2/ : 2008 : 2009 :----------------------------------------------------- : 2008 : 2009 : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- Percent ---- ---- (1990-92=100) --- : Production Items : 67.9 68.9 177 175 175 : Feed : 10.9 11.4 183 166 166 Feed Grains : 1.6 1.6 206 163 167 Complete Feeds : 5.3 5.6 177 159 160 Hay/Forage : 1.4 1.4 178 172 169 Concentrates : 1.7 1.8 180 187 180 Supplements : 0.9 1.0 188 162 163 Livestock & Poultry : 8.0 8.2 125 118 117 Feeder Cattle : 6.2 6.4 119 110 108 Feeder Pigs : 0.6 0.7 122 156 161 Milk Cow Replacements : 0.6 0.7 174 145 145 Poultry : 0.5 0.5 138 138 138 Seeds : 3.8 3.8 211 275 275 Field Crops : 3.5 3.5 218 287 287 Grasses/Legumes : 0.4 0.4 142 157 157 Fertilizer : 4.4 4.7 315 324 315 Mixed Fertilizer : 2.0 2.1 322 368 365 Nitrogen : 1.9 2.0 310 251 206 Potash & Phosphate : 0.6 0.7 311 402 488 Chemicals : 3.3 3.3 134 153 160 Herbicides : 2.1 2.1 124 142 148 Insecticides : 0.8 0.8 154 177 185 Fungicides/Other : 0.5 0.5 143 164 172 Fuels : 3.3 3.6 349 196 187 Diesel : 2.1 2.3 391 222 208 Gasoline : 0.8 0.8 267 160 162 LP Gas : 0.4 0.4 279 128 121 Supplies & Repairs : 4.7 4.6 151 157 157 Supplies : 1.6 1.5 144 155 154 Repairs : 3.1 3.1 154 158 158 Autos & Trucks : 1.7 1.6 111 108 109 Autos : 0.2 0.2 109 109 109 Trucks : 1.5 1.4 111 108 109 Machinery : 4.5 4.4 199 213 217 Tractors : 1.0 1.0 174 180 178 Self-Propelled : 1.8 1.8 209 223 233 Other Machinery : 1.7 1.7 204 222 224 Building Materials : 4.5 4.6 159 165 164 Services : 12.2 12.2 144 148 148 Custom Rates : 1.3 1.3 144 144 144 Other Services : 10.9 11.0 144 149 149 Rent : 6.6 6.4 154 160 160 Cash : 3.5 3.4 197 217 217 Share : 3.0 3.0 103 95 95 Interest : 3.8 3.7 141 154 154 Taxes : 2.9 3.0 212 234 234 Wage Rates : 7.8 7.6 187 189 189 Family Living-CPI : 17.6 16.9 158 157 158 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Revised historical price indexes for months not shown are available at www.nass.usda.gov. 2/ Weights may not add due to rounding. Feed Price Ratios: United States, March 2009 with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2008 : 2009 Feed Price Ratio 1/ :----------------------- : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Broiler-Feed: Pounds of Broiler Grower Feed equal : in value to 1 pound of broiler, live weight 2/ : 3.6 *4.4 4.3 : Market Egg Feed: Pounds of Laying Feed equal in : value to 1 dozen eggs 3/ : 11.8 *7.0 7.1 : Hog-Corn: Bushels of Corn equal in value to : 100 pounds of hog, live weight : 8.6 *11.3 11.2 : Milk-Feed: Pounds of 16% Mixed Dairy Feed equal : in value to 1 pound of Whole Milk 4/ : 2.07 *1.50 1.51 : Steer & Heifer-Corn: Bushels of Corn equal : in value to 100 pounds of Steer & Heifers, : 19.8 *21.7 21.1 live weight : : Turkey-Feed: Pounds of Turkey Grower equal in : value to 1 pound of Turkey, live weight 5/ : 4.0 *4.6 4.7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ Effective January 1995, prices of commercial prepared feeds are based on current U.S. prices received for corn, soybeans, alfalfa hay, and all wheat. 2/ The price of commercial prepared broiler feed is based on current U.S. prices received for corn and soybeans. The modeled feed uses 58 percent corn and 42 percent soybeans. 3/ The price of commercial prepared layer feed is based on current U.S. prices received for corn and soybeans. The modeled feed uses 75 percent corn and 25 percent soybeans. 4/ The price of commercial prepared dairy feed is based on current U.S. prices received for corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. The modeled feed uses 51 percent corn, 8 percent soybeans, and 41 percent alfalfa. 5/ The price of commercial prepared turkey feed is based on current U.S. prices received for corn, soybeans, and wheat. The modeled feed used 51 percent corn, 28 percent soybeans, and 21 percent wheat. Prices Used to Calculate Feed Price Ratios: United States, March 2009 with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Entire Month : Preliminary Commodity : Unit :------------------------------------------- : : Mar : Feb : Mar : : 2008 : 2009 : 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Dollars : : Broilers, Live : Lb : 0.460 0.470 0.450 Eggs, Market : Doz : 1.300 0.639 0.643 : : Hogs, All : Cwt : 40.30 43.90 44.20 Milk, All : Cwt : 18.10 11.60 11.50 : : Steers and Heifers : Cwt : 92.90 83.80 83.50 Turkeys, Live : Lb : 0.529 0.465 0.467 : : Corn : Bu : 4.70 3.87 3.96 Hay, Alfalfa, Baled : Ton : 144.00 143.00 137.00 : : Soybeans : Bu : 11.40 9.55 9.13 Wheat, All : Bu : 10.50 5.79 5.85 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Feeder Livestock: Prices Paid, United States March 2009 with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : 2008 : 2009 Commodity : Unit :------------------------------------------- : : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Dollars : : Feeders and Stockers : : Cattle and Calves : Cwt : 100.70 *93.00 91.10 Feeder Pigs : Cwt : 112.00 143.00 148.00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Revised. Reliability of Prices Paid Estimates Definition: Prices paid by farmers represent the average costs of inputs purchased by farmers and ranchers to produce agricultural commodities. Conceptually, the average price when multiplied by quantity purchased should equal total producer expenditures for the item. Survey Procedures: The prices paid data are obtained from establishments that sell goods and services to farmers and ranchers. Annually, about 8,500 firms are randomly selected from lists by type of item sold with an average response rate in the range of 75-80 percent. Firms are asked to report the price for the specified item "most commonly bought by farmers" or that was the "volume seller". Approximately 135 items are surveyed each April to represent all production input items purchased. The survey reference period for most items is the 5 business days centered around the 15th of the month. Separate prices paid surveys are conducted for agricultural chemicals, fuels, feed, fertilizer, machinery, and seed. Summary and Estimation Procedures: The annual April Prices Paid Survey is summarized as a nonprobability survey. Average prices reported are aggregated to the region and U.S. level using weights available from expenditure data and other administrative sources. Price recommendations are prepared by the State Field Offices and Headquarters for review by the Agricultural Statistics Board in Washington, D.C. Also, the change in price level for individual items surveyed are combined to the regional and U.S. levels, and are published as prices paid indexes referenced to a specific base period. Prices paid indexes for new autos and trucks, building materials, farm supplies, motor supplies, and marketing containers are updated based on price changes measured in selected Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indexes. Revisions: Any revisions are published in the monthly and in annual issues of Agricultural Prices. The basis for revision must be supported by additional data that directly affect the level of the estimate. More revisions are likely in April when separate prices paid surveys are conducted, in lieu of BLS indexes, by the USDA to measure price change. Reliability: Current methods of summarization in April are not designed directly to calculate sampling errors. However, analytical measures approximate the U.S. relative sampling errors for major items around 10 percent. Any nonsampling errors are attributed to such things as the inability to obtain correct information, differences in interpreting questions or definitions, mistakes in coding or processing the data, etc. Efforts are made at each step in the survey process to minimize these nonsampling errors. Program Change: Effective January 1, 1995, the National Agricultural Statistics Service updated the weights and changed the construction of its prices paid and received by farmers indexes. A Federal Register Notice dated October 28, 1994 discussed these program modifications. A 1990-92 reference and base period replaced the 1977 reference and 1971-73 base weight period. Five-year moving average weights replaced the current fixed 1971-73 base period weights. The 1910-14=100 price indexes, required by statute for computing parity prices, were linked forward based on the changes in the new 1990-92=100 indexes. The new indexes were constructed by multiplying the ratios of the current prices to the base period prices by the moving average weights (adjusted for seasonal marketing patterns for the prices received indexes). Information Contacts General questions should be directed to Kevin Barnes, Chief, Environmental, Economics and Demographics Branch at (202) 720-6146. Below are the commodity specialists to contact for additional information. Crop Prices Received Lance Honig, Chief, Crops Branch (202) 720-2127 Jacqueline Moore, Field Crops Section (202) 720-2127 Todd Ballard - Wheat, Rye (202) 720-8068 Ty Kalaus - Corn, Proso Millet, Flaxseed (202) 720-9526 Shiela Corley - Cotton, Cottonseed (202) 720-5944 Travis Thorson - Soybeans, Sunflower, Canola, Other Oilseeds (202) 720-7369 Jacqueline Moore - Hay, Oats, Sorghum (202) 720-2127 Anthony Prillaman - Peanuts, Rice (202) 720-7688 Julie Schmidt - Sugarcane, Sugarbeets, Barley (202) 720-2127 Jorge Garcia-Pratts, Fruits,Vegetables & Special Crops Section (202) 720-2127 Dan Norris - Peaches, Pears, Hops, Pulses, Mint (202) 720-3250 Suzanne Avilla - Citrus, Tropical Fruits (202) 720-5412 Fred Granja - Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Cranberries, Plums, Prunes (202) 720-4288 Leslie Colburn - Grapes, Tobacco (202) 720-7235 Faye Propsom - Potatoes, Dry Edible Beans, Sweet Potatoes (202) 720-4285 Debbie Flippin - Vegetables, Onions, Strawberries (202) 720-2157 Dawn Keen - Tree Nuts (202) 720-4215 Livestock Prices Received Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch (202) 720-3570 Scott Hollis, Livestock Section (202) 720-3570 Everett Olbert - Sheep, Lambs, Goats, Wool, Mohair (202) 720-4751 Mike Miller - Milk, Milk Cows (202) 720-3278 Nicholas Streff - Hogs (202) 720-3106 Jason Hardegree - Cattle (202) 720-3040 Bruce Boess, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section (202) 720-3570 Fleming Gibson - Turkeys (202) 690-3237 Sharyn Lavender - Broilers, Honey (202) 720-3244 Kim Linonis - Eggs (202) 690-8632 Indexes, Prices Paid, and Parity Prices Kevin Barnes, Chief, Environmental, Economics and Demographics Branch (202) 720-6146 Kevin Hintzman, Economics Section (202) 720-6146 Jennifer Sissom - Prices Paid Indexes, Prices Paid for Feed, Fertilizer, Agricultural Chemicals, Seeds, Farm Supplies and Repairs, Farm Machinery, Fuels, Feeder Livestock, Poultry Chicks, Feed Price Ratios, Autos & Trucks (202) 690-3229 Daryl Brinkman - Prices Received Indexes, Parity Prices (202) 720-8844 Seth Riggins - Grazing Fees (202) 720-9168 ACCESS TO REPORTS!! For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services: INTERNET ACCESS All NASS reports are available free of charge on the worldwide Internet. For access, connect to the Internet and go to the NASS Home Page at: www.nass.usda.gov. E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTION All NASS reports are available by subscription free of charge direct to your e-mail address. Starting with the NASS Home Page at www.nass.usda.gov, under the right navigation, Receive reports by Email, click on National or State. Follow the instructions on the screen. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PRINTED REPORTS OR DATA PRODUCTS CALL OUR TOLL-FREE ORDER DESK: 800-999-6779 (U.S. and Canada) Other areas, please call 703-605-6220 FAX: 703-605-6900 (Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order acceptable for payment.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ASSISTANCE For assistance with general agricultural statistics or further information about NASS or its products or services, contact the Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 800-727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.