Solid export sales, especially for pork, and higher basis in South America is bullish for U.S. futures. So should be the fact that 17 percent of the corn crop is still in the fields and getting very damp but the rains in South America make the whole situation neutral at best. Instead, the market bounces around on trade negotiation rumors. First the bears glom onto President Trump expressing skepticism about completing a deal and then Congress passes legislation denigrating China for its handling of Hong Kong. Next, the bulls hug a statement by Chinese official Gao Feng that American negotiators are welcome in Beijing next week, and their counterparts say it can all be solved this year. It is not surprising why this is a sideways market. Wi...
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What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...