The unrest in Egypt unrest pushes oil prices higher and puts ethanol producers on edge.

Also, a report from USDA on new dietary guidelines. The Department is suggesting we could all get up off the couch and try putting less salt in our food.

And a next-generation ethanol producer converts “one man’s trash into a cellulosic treasure.”

We’ll have those stories and market analysis with Elaine Kub.

Be sure to check back to this part of our website after 7p on Friday for the discussion podcast and market plus segment. That extra segment does not air and is exclusive to the web.

Any story ideas or comments for the show, leave them below. Or even questions for Elaine, we had a couple for her around her last appearance on the program.

It is cold this morning in rural America, but we know there’s plenty to keep you warm, like watching the commodity markets go up and down.

But we’ve got other stories to keep you warm this weekend. This week, a delegation from China came to the United States. They got the red carpet treatment and it appears the leaders of the world’s two largest economies find common ground on matters of trade.

Lawmakers are now posing questions to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on rules relating to genetically engineered crops. What will this mean to producers and researches of such crops?

And we’ve got a feature that’s both interesting and concerning. A 3rd generation dairy producer capitalizes on a steady source of labor by going robotic. How many of you from dairy farms see this as a threat and relief? Those of you in the dairy business know of the dedication it takes to do what you do.

And we get into the market analysis with Alan Brugler.

The Agriculture Department unveils a sweeping nutritional overhaul of America’s school lunch program.

And we’ll meet the man behind the design of the iconic Ford N-series tractor and the famed John Deere 4020.

Those stories and market analysis with Jamey Kohake.

Congress is in the middle off negotiations and discussions over extending the Bush Era tax cuts. What does that mean for rural America?

Also, the Obama Administration examines profit margins in the agricultural supply chain.

And, a global biotechnology leader announces an innovation simplifying spring planting is “in the bag…”
Those stories and market analysis with Tomm Pfitzenmaier.

Questions for Tomm? Drop them in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

Farm groups call on Congress to bury The Death Tax once and for all. Plus, sweeping food safety reforms granted to federal authorities hit a snag.

And, robust foreign demand keeps commodity prices at unseasonably high levels.

We’ll have those stories and market analysis with Elaine Kub.

Check your local listings and we’ll see on the air for Market To Market.
Remember to support your local public television station during this week as many of our stations are holding pledge drives this weekend. Thank the station you view this program when you call in this weekend.

We thank you for your continued support.

Former VP and democratic presidential nominee, Al Gore said he was wrong to support ethanol. Mr. Gore now discloses the “inconvenient truth” of how political ambition shaped his position on ethanol.

Lawmakers approve spending more than $1 billion to fund a settlement between USDA and black farmers. Now a lame-duck congress is next before the president can sign the legislation.

And, by helping the hungry produce their own food, Heifer International feeds people for a lifetime…
Those stories and market analysis with Jamey Kohake. Check your local listings for Jamey and Mark Pearson on this week’s broadcast (#3613).

Here’s the link to last week’s broadcast (#3612).

We’ve got producers sorting through a new study by Iowa State University’s Center for Agriculture and Rural Development about the future of the ethanol industry without the extension of the ethanal tax credit. We should learn in the next few weeks about the future of the 45-cent-per-gallon ethanol tax credit and import tariff worth 54-cents-per-gallon. This is a follow up study released back in July, but many things have changed since then. What impact will the markets and supplies have on the industry?

Plus the issue of food safety is again in the news. This time, a bill passed by the House a year ago have finally been passed the Senate. The bill provides more power to the FDA to prevent food-borne illness. But the bill still has hurdles including concern for the impact on small farmers. Another obstacle is a possible amendment that would ban earmarks, the popular rallying cry of this year’s election.

And it is Thanksgiving time again and many of you will enjoy cranberries with your meal. But what is the status of that industry? It is a business that has many cooperative agreements, including the those involving the big producer Ocean Spray. How will companies like Ocean Spray and the others fare post-recession?

Analyst Darin Newsom will be joining us to discuss the commodity markets. If you’ve got a question, drop it in our comment section below and we’ll try to get that answered promptly.

Be sure to check out our last post about Mark Pearson’s trip to Idaho.

Market To Market #3611 is posted here. This episode looks at a lawsuit brought against the EPA over increased blends in ethanol.

The nation’s debt also made news last week as another attempt at reduction was unveiled. And the bullish markets were not just limited to commodities like corn and soybeans, but many of the softs saw a big run last week. What does that mean? How did Alan Brugler see the markets? What’s ahead? Did you listen to our Market Plus segment?

Host Mark Pearson wanted me to share a story with you. He was recently in Boise talking to the Idaho Dairymen’s Association. Mark said he thought he’d been having a rough morning when he was approached by an audience member. The man told Mark about how he lost all of his straw and hay supply in a fire. Turns out, he wasn’t alone as six farms were damaged on a recent crime spree causing $45,000 in damage. The cost of replacement will be double what the hay was worth.

Mark has many other speaking engagements scheduled in South Dakota, North Dakota and Indiana to name a few. We’ll let you know where he’ll be so you can try and see the ever-entertaining Mr. Pearson in person.

Also, Elaine Kub responded to a comment we received last week. Kub was the analyst on MToM #3610. We received a comment here to the blog and Elaine responded.

Post a comment below and we’ll try and respond to all your questions.

Coming up this week on Market to Market…
A broad coalition of advocacy groups file suit against the EPA over increased blends of ethanol. Plus days after Republicans gain control of the U.S. House, a bipartisan panel unveils its plans to cut the deficit.

And bullish production, supply and demand estimates ignite blistering rallies in the commodity markets.

Those stories and market analysis with Alan Brugler.

If you’ve got a comment for Alan or our crew, leave it below. We’d love to hear from you and your take on what’s happening right now and your situation.

Also this week on Market to Market…. prior to USDA estimates next week, private analysts prognosticate corn and soybean production numbers.

And by converting one man’s trash into cellulosic treasure, “Project Liberty” embraces the next generation of renewable fuels.

Those stories and market analysis with Elaine Kub.

If you’re looking to review last week’s program which includes a look at robotic milking, click here.