He used the patented soybeans for his main spring crop, but went to a local grain elevator and purchased so-called commodity seeds for a riskier, late-season crop.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Commodity prices are rebounding, but with a new crop of CEOs taking over and uncertainty over the outlook for commodities, megadeals in the mining sector might be limited.

WSJ: What's News

That's the Midwest Crop Tour for you: clues to where the commodity markets are headed, mixed with homespun observations.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Sugar, says Mr. Simons, is now both an "energy commodity" and a "growth story, " since much of the Brazilian crop is used to produce ethanol.

WSJ: The Intelligent Investor: Why Your Stocks Are Acting Like Commodities

Seed and agrichemical company Syngenta said that an increase in demand for crop enhancers and a growing emerging market presence helped to offset the difficult weather conditions and commodity price increases during its half-year reporting period that ended June 11.

FORBES: Syngenta Profit Grows 14% As It Plans To Outpace Agriculture Competitors

Commodity prices are rebounding, but don't hold your breath for megadeals in mining as a new crop of CEOs takes over.

WSJ: Why Mining M&A Is on Hold