WASHINGTON (May 17, 2012) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson sent a letter to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Gary Gensler today urging the chairman to establish a 30-day public comment period to discuss the extension of electronic commodity trading up to 22 hours per day.

“The decision of the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to expand trading to 22 hours daily and the announcement of the CME Group’s plan to do the same have alarmed many of NFU’s members, many of whom are involved in the cash grains market,” said Johnson. “Concerns regarding the volatile price swings that occur when U.S. Department of Agriculture reports are released have been voiced. Additionally, NFU members are uncertain about the availability of accurate and updated bids from grain purchasers after the open outcry trading day has closed with an established settlement price but electronic markets remain open. Farmers need an explanation and answers to these reasonable questions.”

The electronic market currently trades for 17 hours each day. The expanded trading would allow for nearly-around-the-clock trading, often for those without a commercial interest in the market, while doing little to benefit farmers and ranchers.