Agribusiness Update for Friday 10/4/13

The world's biggest futures-exchange operator says a prolonged government shutdown could interrupt or delay settlement prices for certain livestock futures contracts. The Department of Agriculture is furloughing staff who produce several reports on data - including cash prices for agricultural products that are used as benchmarks for futures contracts. According to the CME - the lack of USDA data could disrupt the October 2013 contracts for live cattle, lean hog, feeder cattle futures and options.

With the 2008 Farm Bill allowed to expire twice now - National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson is telling House Speaker John Boehner that he holds the fate of the farm bill in his hands. Johnson sent a letter urging the immediate naming of conferees to the farm bill conference committee.

With the release of an American Petroleum Institute poll that says 77-percent of likely voters are concerned ethanol blends above a 10-percent level can cause severe damage to car engines and fuel system components - Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis says the oil industry is continuing its cycle of mistruth.

That's today's Agribusiness Update from the Ag Information Network.