The factors that affect the grain and soy markets’ price movements are obviously always changing. However, there are times when the potential for the scope and degree of those movements are particularly high, and this week seems to be one of those. Following is a summary of what markets face over the next few days:

USDA/NASS releases its report on quarterly U.S. grain and soybean stocks as of 1 March at noon (EDT) on 29 March. This should provide a good idea of what the demand for corn and soybeans has been during the first half of their marketing years and serve as a crosscheck on our assumptions. USDA’s combined March stocks and planting intentions report is often one of the most important of the year, and it has a history...