By Sam Nelson and Mark Weinraub

(Reuters) – U.S. farmers this spring will seed the largest area with corn since World War Two as a mild and dry winter has raised expectations for a quick planting this spring , a Reuters poll of 24 analysts showed, signaling a boost to razor-thin stocks and lower prices in 2012.

The survey showed that farmers were gearing up to plant 94.2 million acres, which could produce a record crop of 13.8 billion bushels based on a trendline yield of 161.4 bushels per acre. It would surpass the previous record of 13.1 billion in 2009.

CHICAGO, Jan 18 (Reuters) – U.S. corn and soybean
futures fell on Wednesday, with corn hitting its lowest in
nearly a month as rainstorms provided relief to parched crops in
Argentina, traders said.

Wheat prices were pulled lower by the weakness in corn and
ample global supplies.

CHICAGO (Reuters) – The surprise drop in U.S. corn feed demand this summer may be only the beginning of a year-long reduction as chicken and hog producers break a long-held aversion to blending more wheat into rations.

What initially began as a summer fling with an unprecedented premium for corn prices over wheat has turned into an enduring trend as livestock producers lock in longer-term wheat deals — many of which can’t be quickly undone even as the corn price premium finally recedes.

DEFIANCE, Ohio (Reuters) – Except for the spiffy Hunter rain boots that can cost more than $100 a pair, the fund manager was one with the crowd — farmers and industry folk in a muddy corn field in the heart of U.S. grain country.

Far from their computers and other gadgets that are the trappings of Wall Street, those in the multi-billion-dollar hedge fund industry are making their way to the corn fields in the midwestern United States in increasing numbers.

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Flooding along the Missouri River could wash out cropland in the western Corn Belt that many were hoping would provide a bumper harvest this fall and mitigate expected shortfalls in the eastern half of the Midwest, analysts said Friday.

The analysts estimated that between 300,000 and 800,000 acres in traditionally fertile areas of Iowa and Nebraska for corn and soybeans could be hit by flooding.

CHICAGO (Reuters) – U.S. wheat futures sagged on Thursday amid a wave of profit-taking after surging to a three-month high early in the session.

Wheat prices had rallied 20 percent during three straight days of gains this week on crop weather troubles in the United States and Europe, before the surge stalled after briefly breaking through the 100-day moving average.

CHICAGO (Reuters) – High prices for agricultural commodities will attract investment into the sector that could boost production and help increase global food supplies, according to David Lehman, managing director for research at exchange operator CME Group Inc (CME.O: Quote, Profile, Research).

“We have entered an era where demand has been growing faster than supply,” Lehman said on Wednesday at the Reuters Food and Agriculture Summit. “These high prices are really what the market needs to encourage investment, encourage additional resources to be allocated to production and to reach an equilibrium.”

CHICAGO (Reuters) – High prices for agricultural commodities will attract investment into the sector that could boost production and help increase global food supplies, according to David Lehman, managing director for research at exchange operator CME Group Inc (CME.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

“We have entered an era where demand has been growing faster than supply,” Lehman said on Wednesday at the Reuters Food and Agriculture Summit. “These high prices are really what the market needs to encourage investment, encourage additional resources to be allocated to production and to reach an equilibrium.”

CHICAGO (Reuters) – High prices for agricultural commodities will attract investment into the sector that could boost production and help increase global food supplies, according to David Lehman, managing director for research at Exchange operator CME Group Inc (CME.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

“We have entered an era where demand has been growing faster than supply,” Lehman said on Wednesday at the Reuters Food and Agriculture Summit. “These high prices are really what the market needs to encourage investment, encourage additional resources to be allocated to production and to reach an equilibrium.”

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Corn and wheat prices fell on Thursday, pressured by a strong dollar, plunging equities markets and fears that a setback in the global economy will lower demand for agricultural commodities.

Soybean prices rose after three sessions of declines as an early drop below their 100-day moving average kindled buying by bargain hunters and end users.