THE OPEN November beans: 4 higher December meal: 3.20 higher December soyoil: 10 lower December corn: 4 higher December wheat: ...
Articles
Views from a Prisoner of COVID-19
Efforts to avoid the COVID-19 virus have forced us into what has become many weeks of home bound hibernation. We have plenty of time to ponder the world ar...
Export Sales
Wheat: Net sales of 506,300 metric tons (MT) for 2020/2021 were up 44 percent from the previous week and 15 percent from the prior 4-week average. Co...
Technical Views - Driving Higher
SPREADS Dec. crush trade to 96.88c/bu while oilshare falls to 32.44%. Bullspreads are strong with Dec/Dec corn moving into 11c from 13c, and Dec/Marc...
AM Outlook - Sales Supportive
GOOD MORNING, Prices were higher yesterday post report, with follow-through activity this morning. Breaking it all down we find the following:&...
CPTPP Rationale Rises; Airplane Solution
CPTPP Rationale Rises U.S. House Republicans issued a list of 83 actions that should be taken to strengthen the nation’s countermeasures to Chi...
Market Commentary: CBOT Ignites Following Grain Stocks Report
The September Grain Stocks report did not fail to excite, coming in with surprisingly bullish numbers that sent soybeans as much as 41 cents higher. Wheat...
When Price is a Poor Indicator
Few markets are as distorted as those involving agriculture. Governments typically impose higher tariffs on food to support domestic production even when i...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.79/bushel, up $0.1425 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.78/bushel, up $0.285 from yesterday's close. N...
China In-Country Analysis
Livestock China’s Live Hog and White Feather Broiler Markets Fall Further With China’s National Day holiday and Mid-Autumn Festival kicking off...
Black Sea Regional Analysis
Russian Grain Markets: 21 – 25 September 2020 Domestic Russian prices for wheat and barley grew sharply, especially in the south. Corn prices mainly...
PM Post - Post Report Adjustments
THE OPEN November beans: 1 lower December meal: .90 lower December soyoil: 30 lower December corn: 1/2 lower December wheat: ...
Technical Views - Affirm or Refute Ranges
SPREADS Dec crush trades to 93.69c/bu while oilshare is 32.79%. Dec/March corn trades weaker from 9-9 1/2c while Dec/Dec trades from 18 1/2c to 19 1/...
AM Outlook - Mixed Ahead of Report
GOOD MORNING. Prices are mixed heading into the report. Wheat prices are higher against the other markets, having the least length. Technically...
Ag Review - September 2020
WPI's monthly publication features a review of the past month's market and policy developments. This issue reviews notable changes in agriculture trade, th...
House Tees Up Revised COVID Relief
In May, the House or Representatives passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act - the fourth COVID-19 relief package,...
Market Commentary: Grains, Oilseeds Weaker while Cattle Rally
CBOT products were generally lower as the end of the month approaches and profits are taken off the table. Tomorrow is first notice day for October soymeal...
Battle over Meat; Future of Inflation; EU Agriculture
Battle over Meat COVID-related restrictions have increased meal consumption at home, and it is reported that per capita meat consumption has concurre...
COVID Impacts – Real and Imagined
Researchers have combed the historical literature and warned about the impacts of COVID-19 but not all the predictions have proved accurate. As countries i...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.6475/bushel, down $0.02 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.495/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close.&n...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.6475/bushel, down $0.02 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.495/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close.&n...
PM Post - Offering Up Values for Tomorrow
THE OPEN November beans: 7 lower December meal: 1.90 lower December soyoil: 52 lower December corn: 3 lower December wheat: 2...
Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa Regional Analysis
Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA There is a great deal of concern in North Africa about the effect that the second wave of COV...
Technical Views - Lower Direction
SPREADS Dec crush trades to 98.96c/bu while oilshare trades up to 33.0%. Corn spreads are slightly weaker, with Dec/March trading out to 9c from 8 1/...
AM Outlook - Struggling at Temporary Tops
GOOD MORNING, Prices are lower this morning as funds remain long across the board and decide to lighten up a bit heading into tomorrow's September 30 stock...
Market Commentary: Grains Firm while Profit Taking Pressures Soy Complex
The CBOT opened as called with profit taking developing in the soy complex and to a lesser extent wheat and corn. The grain markets firmed heading into the...
New Gasoline Octane Standard Proposed for Higher Ethanol Blends
Last week, Representative Cheri Bustos (D-Illinois) introduced the Next Generation Fuels Act. The legislation would establish a new 98 octane standard for...
World Non-Trade Organization; Unsustainable Soya; Disparate State Rules
World Non-Trade Organization The World Trade Organization, emphasis on trade, might be thought of us a forum for reducing tariff and nontariff barriers to...
Changes in Wheat Class Production
As U.S. wheat has become less competitive in global markets, production has been declining. While wheat exports are down 8 percent from their peak, product...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.6675/bushel, up $0.015 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.5025/bushel, up $0.06 from yesterday's close. ...
European Market Analysis
Regional News European consultancy COCERAL issued its latest series of crop forecasts on 25 September. COCERAL left its forecast of the EU wheat crop...
PM Post - Profit-taking and Liquidation
THE OPEN November beans: 1/2 higher December mela: .20 higher December soyoil: 8 lower December corn: 2 1/4 lower December wheat:&n...
Mercosur Regional Analysis
Sorghum Argentina’s sorghum planted area and production has steadily fallen since the 2011/12 campaign. The highest planted area was 1.27 Mha, which...
Technical Views - Bouncing within Ranges
SPREADS Dec. crush firms to 1.03c/bu while oilshare trades to 32.63%. Dec/March corn trades from 8c to 8 1/2c, while Dec/Dec trades from 17 3/...
AM Outlook - Choppy
GOOD MORNING, Prices are mixed this morning with trade on both sides of unchanged. Oilshare had enjoyed an early overnight bounce, but gave it up by...
Cattle on Feed
U.S. Cattle on Feed, for feedlots over 1,000 head, totaled 11.4 million – which is up 4 percent from September 1, 2019. This is the highest September...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.6525/bushel, up $0.0175 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.4425/bushel, down $0.055 from yesterday's close.&n...
Market Commentary: CBOT Finds Comfortable Range; Hogs Rally on Bearish Report
The CBOT firmed on Friday as the week-long selloff found support and markets look to be more or less comfortable with their current level. Funds were modes...
Forex Contradictions; Good Consortiums; Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!
Forex Contradictions President Donald Trump may not understand the complexities of currency valuations, but he knows their importance. His concurrent chast...
Bearish Cattle on Feed Report
USDA released its Cattle on Feed report today and the inventory of cattle in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more was 11.4 million head, that is...
CFTC COT Report Analysis
The attached PDF offers graphical depiction and seasonal analysis of managed money and commercial traders' net position in key agricultural commodit...
PM Post - Fully Corrected for Now
THE OPEN November beans: 3/4 higher December meal: 1.50 lower December soyoil: 14 higher December corn: 1 higher December wheat: 3...
Argentina Cedes on Soymeal
This morning USDA announced a 100 KMT soymeal sale to unknown and it highlights one of the few areas where U.S. market share in bulk commodities has been i...
Technical Views - Between Shorts and Longs
SPREADS Corn spreads remain strong vs. weaker bean spreads. Dec/Dec corn narrows into 18c from 19 3/4, while Dec/March firms to 8c from 8 1/2c. ...
AM Outlook - Is the Bull Market Done
GOOD MORNING, The markets continue mixed this morning. The larger question given the sell-off is whether the bull market is over? Will fu...
Livestock Round Up: Hogs and Pigs Inventory Record; Record September COF Inventory Anticipated
USDA released its quarterly Hogs and Pigs report this afternoon. The report showed records for the quarter for all hogs and pigs and market pigs. So...
Market Commentary: Loss of Confidence?
Were today’s lower closes in corn and soybeans the market signal of a loss of confidence? Probably not. Volume was down across the board and everythi...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.635/bushel, down $0.05 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.4975/bushel, up $0.0075 from yesterday's close.&nbs...
Oilseed Highlights: U.S. Soy Export Sales; Tight Brazil Soybeans; Smaller Argentine Crops
Huge U.S. Soybean Export Sales Last Week Today’s USDA/FAS export sales report for the week ending 17 September indicated exporters sold a huge amount...
One Person’s Poison; Raising the Bar; Cancel Culture Food
One Person’s Poison WTO members questioned plans by Brussels for new subsidies to support organic farming. The EU claims the subsidies to be Green Bo...
PM Post - Wheat Holding Own
THE OPEN November beans: 11 lower December meal: 3.50 lower December soyoil: 63 lower December corn: 3 1/4 lower December wheat:&nb...
What Are Markets Saying?
The price action of modern commodity futures markets reflects the differing needs and opinions of a great many participating traders. Commercial interests...
Technical Views - Continued Lower
SPREADS Dec crush trades to 1.02c/bu while oilshare falls to 32.05%. Spreads are weaker with Dec/Dec trading out to 20 1/2c from 17 3/4. Dec/Ma...
Export Sales
Wheat: Net sales of 351,200 metric tons (MT) for 2020/2021 were up 5 percent from the previous week, but down 34 percent from the prior 4-week averag...
AM Outlook - Continued Pullback
GOOD MORNING, Prices are now bending under the weight of harvest, nervous longs, and some farmer selling pressure. The stronger US dollar is pe...
Market Commentary: Soymeal Rallies Amid Corn, Soybean Pullbacks
Macro markets continued their “risk-off” trade Wednesday with the U.S. dollar rising 40 bps. That worked against wheat futures with both SRW an...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.685/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.49/bushel, down $0.09 from yesterday's close.&nbs...
How China Could Win U.S. Election
Political analysis indicates that China is hoping Joe Biden wins the U.S. presidential election. His campaign says fully decoupling from China, a frequent...
Pickup in Grain Loadings
Tomorrow’s weekly USDA Export Sales Report is an important measure of the pace of disappearance for U.S. grains, but another is the volume being load...
China In-Country Analysis
Livestock China’s Hog Sector Driving New Feed Demand According to the China Feed Industry Association, animal feed production climbed by 4.8 percent...
September Cold Storage Report
The attached PDF shows WPI's summary analysis and intrepretation for the latest Cold Storage report, published 22 September 2020 by the USDA. Bri...
Black Sea Regional Analysis
Russian Grain Markets: 14-18 September 2020 Domestic Russian market prices for wheat and barley grew due to the demand created by exporters. Corn prices de...
PM Post - Toppy?
THE OPEN November beans: 2 3/4 lower December meal: 3.70 higher December soyoil: 77 lower December corn: 2 lower December wheat:&nb...
Technical Views - Lower Except Meal
SPREADS Nov crush trades 97.19c/bu while oilshare trades down to 32.74%. Corn spreads are slightly weaker with Dec/Dec trading out to 19 1/4c from 17...
AM Outlook - Demand + Weather = Mixed
GOOD MORNING, Prices are mixed to begin the day with the major feature of lower oilshare. Meal posts a new contract high against sharply lower soyoil...
Wine Sovereignty; Pick Your Poison
Wine Sovereignty In a three-page joint declaration, fifteen states want flexibility to expand their production and self-sufficiency in wine, beer, and chee...
Market Commentary: Bullish Hog Fundamentals; Wheat Higher on Dry Black Sea Weather
The CBOT opened higher with wheat and soymeal leading the way. Corn followed wheat higher but soon fell back and entered a choppy trading pattern for the d...
U.S. Dairy Demand
The U.S. dairy industry has suffered supply/demand imbalances for decades, but the problem continues to be generated on the supply side of the equation. Wh...
Biodiesel, Soyoil Holding up to COVID Better Than to EU Tariffs
The EU has extended its countervailing duties (CVDs) on U.S. biodiesel which was set to expire this month. The duties were put in place in 2009, renewed in...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.6925/bushel, down $0.005 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.58/bushel, up $0.0325 from yesterday's close.&nbs...
PM Post - Back and Fill in Trading Ranges
THE OPEN November beans: 6 3/4 higher December meal: 4.00 higher December soyoil: 27 lower December corn: 3/4 higher December...
Technical Views - Underpinning
SPREADS Nov crush trades to 87.63c/bu while oilshare trades down to 33.70%. Spreads in nearby corn is slightly firmer trading from 17 1/4c to 20c for...
Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa Regional Analysis
Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA Algeria’s change in wheat specifications for bug damage should allow Black Sea exporter...
AM Outlook - Inherently Not Weak
GOOD MORNING, Prices traveled into further losses this AM before finding more stability, as each of the markets needed a correction to alleviate overbought...
Market Commentary: CBOT Tests Bulls Amid Macro Risk-Off
The CBOT issued its first real test of bull’s commitment since the present rally started in August. Wheat futures posted a key reversal while corn fu...
Markets are Scary
The government of Narendra Modi is pushing through reforms to make Indian agriculture more market-oriented, but it has become a huge political fight within...
Aid for Agriculture
During the last decade, the total amount of multilateral donations to least-developed countries for agriculture increased by 80 percent. The share of all f...
EPA Moving Down Biofuels’ Policy Checklist
After last week’s EPA announcement on gap year SREs, the agency updated its actions on the SRE waivers, denying more than 50 petitions. There are sti...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.6975/bushel, down $0.0875 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.5475/bushel, down $0.2025 from yesterday's close...
European Market Analysis
Regional News Most of Europe and the Black Sea remain in a rainfall deficit with drought increasingly severe in parts of southeast Europe and western...
Mercosur Regional Analysis
Wheat Argentina’s wheat production for the coming campaign is being divided into three regions. The northern end of the country reduced planted area...
PM Post - No Reversal but No Top
THE OPEN November beans: 5 3/4 lower December meal: .40 lower December soyoil: 39 lower December corn: 2 1/4 lower December wheat:&...
AM Outlook - Down But Not Out
GOOD MORNING, Prices started the evening mixed but turned lower by morning. Harvest weather over the next two weeks appears to be perfect. Curr...
Technical Views - Lower Day but Higher Trend
SPREADS Dec crush trades to 94.73c/bu while oilshare falls to 33.70%. Nov/Jan beans move out to 4 1/2c from 3 3/4c, while Jan/March inverts to 9 1/4c...
Market Commentary: Futures Scream Higher; Cash Markets Also on Fire
The CBOT continues to scream higher with Chinese buying of U.S. corn and soybeans underpinning prices. Managed money funds have been aggressive buyers as t...
A Look at Agriculture Funding Three Ways
There are three key pots of money for agriculture support: a second round of CFAP, additional relief for COVID, and the regular budget. One has been settle...
ICT’s Importance; Future U.S. and EU Agriculture; LEADS Act
ICT’s Importance A decline in the growth rate of total factor productivity is common in mature economies even as government policies seek to accelera...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.785/bushel, up $0.0325 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.75/bushel, up $0.1875 from yesterday's close. ...
CFTC COT Report Analysis
The attached PDF offers graphical depiction and seasonal analysis of managed money and commercial traders' net position in key agricultural commodity marke...
PM Post - Profit-taking
THE OPEN November beans: 9 higher December meal: 3.50 higher December soyoil: 7 higher December corn: 1 higher December wheat: ...
The Daily Onion
Starches and protein are the largest caloric components of the western diet and WPI analyzes them all day long. Notably, the onion is one of the most impor...
AM Outlook - Buying the Open
GOOD MORNING, The charts continue to throw off bullish technical signals, so the funds are buying the open and running with it. The continuing report...
Technical Views - Technically Higher
SPREADS Dec crush trades to 92.15c/bu while oilshare trades to 34.24%. Dec/March corn trades to 8 1/4c from 8 3/4c, while Dec/Dec narrows to 11 1/2c...
Market Commentary: Gambling on China
The market has been on a tear and it is all based on current demand from China and speculation that it will continue. Current demand prompts news articles...
Post-November Economy; Disparate Fears
Post-November Economy Fiscal recklessness has its limit, and this will come home to roost. Having already borrowed and spent $3 trillion to revive the COVI...
Livestock Round Up: Dairy Market Still Searching for Balance
The final 2019 dairy utilization data from USDA released this week shows that per capita conumption of milk is at an historic high of 650 pounds. Annual d...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.7525/bushel, up $0.035 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.5625/bushel, up $0.1425 from yesterday's close.&nbs...
Oilseed Highlights: Changing China’s Planting Priorities; August Soy Crush Report; U.S. Soy Sales
China Urged to Prioritize Corn, Wheat and Rice Production Over Soybean Production Speakers at this year’s China Soybean Industry International Summit...
PM Post - Still No Reversal
THE OPEN November beans: 2 1/4 lower December meal: .40 lower December soyoil: 3 lower December corn: 1 14/ lower December wheat:&n...
Export Sales
Wheat: Net sales of 335,700 metric tons (MT) for 2020/2021 were down 31 percent from the previous week and 42 percent from the prior 4-week average...
AM Outlook - Lower Open on Profit-taking
GOOD MORNING, Prices were stronger with beans rallying higher as more rumors of Chinese business hit the wires. The outlook for China's bean and corn...
Technical Views - Market Support
SPREADS Dec crush trades to 88.99c/bu while oilshare trades to 34.91%. Dec/Dec corn trades from 16 1/2c back out to 18 3/4c. Dec/March corn tra...
More Questions for Grain Markets
Grain and soy futures markets often pose more questions than answers. In terms of trade volume and volatility that is a good thing since it is questions no...
Previous Status Quo; Helping or Hurting; Regulatory Cycle
Previous Status Quo EU Director General for Trade Sabine Weyland says bilateral relations with the U.S. need to be improved, but not through more liberaliz...
Market Commentary: CBOT Rallies on Chinese Buying (again); Historic Soybean Spreads
The CBOT drifted lower overnight with corn and soybeans testing technical support. That weakness was short-lived in soybeans, however, as rumors of Chinese...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.7175/bushel, up $0.0575 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.42/bushel, up $0.0375 from yesterday's close. ...
PM Post - Bull Run Continues
THE OPEN November beans: 6 1/2 higher December meal; 3.90 higher December soyoil: 15 higher December corn: 1 higher December...
China In-Country Analysis
Livestock China Furthers Stimulates Live Hog Production and Risks Grow China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) recently announced an...
Black Sea Regional Analysis
Russian Grain Markets: 7-11 September 2020 Domestic Russian market wheat and barley prices mainly grew due to export demand. Corn prices were stable in the...
AM Outlook - Good Bull Markets Take Breaks
GOOD MORNING, Funds were net sellers across the board yesterday on overbought concerns and the fact that for once beans could not turn the rally back...
Technical Views - Mixed Day
SPREADS Dec crush trades to 89.25c/bu while oilshare trades lower down to 34.66%. Dec/Dec corn trades slightly weaker from 20 1/2c to 22 1/4c, while...
Market Commentary: CBOT Turns Lower with Harvest Looming
Now halfway through the month of September, the CBOT is looking like the rally is ending, or at least on pause for a while. Row crops and wheat were lower...
Economy Entering an Inflationary Period
The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee is meeting today and tomorrow, where it will revise its latest economic forecasts for the year and release its pl...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.66/bushel, down $0.035 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.3825/bushel, down $0.075 from yesterday's close.&nb...
Revolutionizing EU Agriculture; Squander Leverage/Solicit Good Will
Revolutionizing EU Agriculture The European Public Heath Alliance says agricultural support and promotion should end its focus on competitiveness and inste...
Rice Self-Sufficiency
It is noted that rice imports by Nigeria are declining, with increased border protections and larger domestic production to blame. However, the same dynami...
PM Post - Appropriate Corrections
THE OPEN Nov beans: 2 3/4 higher Dec meal: .30 higher Dec soyoil: 40 higher Dec corn: 1 1/2 lower Dec wheat: 4 3/4 lower The...
Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa Regional Analysis
Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA Egypt intends to have a commodity exchange in place for the first half of 2021. The exchange will t...
AM Outlook - Still Firm
GOOD MORNING, Prices continue to remain well bid with no reversal signals in sight. China continues to be around the market, Black Sea vegoil values...
Technical Views - Give and Take
SPREADS November crush trades to 74.68c/bu while oilshare is slightly over 35.0% to 35.12%. Dec/Dec corn trades from 19 1/2c to 20 1/2c, while Dec/Ma...
Market Commentary: CBOT Rallies Again; WPI 2020 S&D; Beef Turning Bullish
The CBOT was mostly higher to start the week with soybeans and soyoil extending their rallies. Corn and wheat were firmer but posted a relatively lackluste...
Partisan Perspective on Farm Payments
It’s 50 days until the 2020 election. USDA is expected to announce the terms of the second round of CFAP payments this week and the Senate Democrats...
Branstad Departs; Speculatively Correct; Bullish Tractors
Branstad Departs Former Iowa governor and U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad is departing his post in Beijing. Some call it a perilous time to leave g...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.695/bushel, up $0.01 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.4575/bushel, up $0.0375 from yesterday's close. ...
Pork Progress
China claims that its pig herd is now down 20 percent from before ASF decimated its stock, but USDA places the country's pork production down 33 percent. P...
Mercosur Regional Analysis
Wheat The wheat market has become interesting over the past few weeks. At the beginning of September, the core agricultural area received an average of 25...
PM Post - China Buying Undergirds Market
THE OPEN November beans: 6 1/2 higher December meal: .10 higher December soyoil: 59 higher December corn: 3/4 higher December wheat...
European Market Analysis
Regional News Weather patterns across much of Europe and the Black Sea remain lodged in a hot, dry trend causing likely delays and reductions in wint...
Technical Views - Retesting Highs
SPREADS October crush trades to 73.82c/bu while oilshare trades to 34.78%. Spreads are slightly weaker today with Nov/Jan trading out to 3 3/4c from...
AM Outlook - New Highs Beget New Highs
GOOD MORNING, Prices closed on a firm note and extended gains once more overnight as funds now establish long positions across the board. November be...
Market Commentary: WASDE Neutral, Soybeans Rally Anyway; Hogs Explode Higher
The September WASDE failed to offer truly bullish surprises, but you wouldn’t know that from the CBOT’s reaction. The soy complex ended sharply...
SREs; WASDE Livestock; COVID Politics
Reports leaked out of the Administration this week that President Trump has directed EPA to deny all of the so-called gap year small refinery exemption pet...
WASDE Soyoil
The soybean oil price forecast is 32.0 cents per pound, up 2 cents...
WASDE Soymeal
The soybean meal price is projected at $315 per short ton, up 25 dollars. ...
CFTC COT Report Analysis
The attached PDF offers graphical depiction and seasonal analysis of managed money and commercial traders' net position in key agricultural commodity marke...
WASDE Soybeans
Soybeans – USDA reduced the estimated yield from 53.3 to 51.9 bushels per acre. Beginning stocks for the 2020/21 season were also reduced. ...
Tough Time for WTO; Dems’ Rural Strategy
Tough Time for WTO Robert Zoellick was U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) before he ran the World Bank and he knows a thing or two about politics and Washing...
WASDE Corn
Corn – USDA reduced U.S. corn ending stocks for 2020/21. The average U.S. yield was reduced from 181.8 to 178.5 bushels per acre. U.S.cor...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.685/bushel, up $0.035 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.42/bushel, down $0.0625 from yesterday's close. ...
WASDE Wheat
Wheat – USDA left U.S. wheat supply and demand outlook unchanged. The 2020/21 global wheat outlook is for higher stocks - supplies were r...
USDA Adjusts Stocks
Today’s September WASDE report reflects important adjustments in the projected ending stocks for corn, soybeans, and wheat. Overall, global stocks of...
Export Sales
Wheat: Net sales of 484,400 metric tons (MT) for 2020/2021 were down 17 percent from the previous week and 14 percent from the prior 4-week average.&...
PM Post - Pullbacks Needed in Most Markets
THE OPEN November beans: 8 higher December meal: 2.80 higher December soyoil: 17 higher December corn: 2 1/4 higher December wheat:...
Technical Views - Rally Ahead of WASDE
SPREADS October crush trades to 63.09c/bu while oilshare sits just under 35.0% at 34.48%. Nov/Jan bean spread firms into 3 12c from 4c as the bull ma...
AM Outlook - Higher Ahead of WASDE
GOOD MORNING, Prices are higher across the board this morning as positive technical price action continues and the bull market rolls on. Beans, meal,...
Livestock Round Up: Already Low Hog Prices Moving into Seasonal Low-Price Period
The July monthly export data show both beef and pork down from year-ago levels but up from June. Compared to June, beef exports were up 36 percent in volum...
Market Commentary: Big Bets on Tomorrow
The market is frothy. Tomorrow’s USDA WASDE report could affirm today’s relatively bullish sentiment, or it could break it on fundamentals. The...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.65/bushel, up $0.0475 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.4825/bushel, up $0.045 from yesterday's close. ...
Transatlantic Protectionism III; Data Wars; Currency Wars
Transatlantic Protectionism III The EU issued its “Strategic Foresight” report and it lays the groundwork for potentially more protectionism. I...
Oilseed Highlights: Record 2020/21 Soybean Export Sales; China Flooding; Brazil Soybeans
U.S. New Crop Soybean Export Sales Above Pace of 2016/17 As of today, U.S. exporters have reported to USDA the sale of 25.997 MMT of soybeans for export in...
PM Post - Will Report Match Positions?
THE OPEN November beans: 1/2 lower December meal: .30 higher December soyoil: 2 lower December corn: 1 1/2 higher December wheat: 6...
Too Many Market Threads
These days we can sympathize with commercial grain and soy traders and fund managers as they try to figure out what futures prices and cash prices are like...
Technical Views - Higher Ahead of WASDE
SPREADS October crush trades to 72c/bu while oilshare trades to 34.49%. Nov/Jan beans remain firm at 4 1/4c from 4 1/2c, vs. values that were out to...
AM Outlook - Wheat Leads Firmer Market
GOOD MORNING, Prices are mostly firmer with wheat leading the way in terms of market strength, which has allowed corn to trade higher. Report day is...
Vertical Energy; Good News
Vertical Energy Temasek Holdings and Bayer announced an investment in vertical agriculture in Singapore. It should be noted that their focus is on producin...
Market Commentary: Hogs and Soybeans Rally, Grains Consolidate
The CBOT traded a relatively quiet day with corn consolidating and wheat attempting to turn lower before support entered on a break below key moving averag...
Robust China Corn Imports
Some analysts have long argued that Chinese policymakers made a trade-off decision by favoring domestic corn production and soybean imports. Basically, the...
China In-Country Analysis
Macroeconomic Trends Food Inflation Falls in August, Remains Above 10 Percent Following a 2.2 percent increase in July, food prices fell in August to an an...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.6025/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.4375/bushel, down $0.005 from yesterday's close.&...
PM Post - Energies Influence
THE OPEN November beans: 3 higher December meal: 2.20 higher December soyoil: 32 lower December corn: 1 1/4 lower December wheat:&n...
Black Sea Regional Analysis
Russian Grain Markets: 31 August – 4 September 2020 Domestic Russian market prices for wheat and barley mainly grew. Corn prices were quoted for the...
Technical Views - Durable Markets
SPREADS October crush trades to 74.71c/bu while oilshare trades to 34.58%. Dec/Dec corn trades from 24 1/2c to 25 3/4c, while Dec/March trades...
AM Outlook - Position Leveling
GOOD MORNING, As we head into Friday's report, expect to see more position-evening from corn and bean bulls who have put a good rally in their pocket. ...
Market Commentary: CBOT Mostly Higher; WPI 2020 Corn, Soybean Forecasts
The CBOT opened on a mixed note with early selling pressure developing in the soy complex. By the afternoon, however, continued demand corn and soybeans pu...
Faded Green Wave; Better Answer than Decoupling
Faded Green Wave While politicians on both sides of the Atlantic boast of bold plans for environmental protection, executing their initiatives is proving m...
2020 Election and the Next Farm Bill
There are 56 days until the 2020 elections. In addition to the Presidential election, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for consideratio...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.6175/bushel, up $0.0375 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.4425/bushel, down $0.06 from yesterday's close.&nb...
Market Share Implications
U.S. agricultural imports have been rising at a 6.42 percent annual rate over the past 25 years. Mostly due to duty-free goods under NAFTA, but also from E...
PM Post - Supportive Sales
THE OPEN November beans: 3 1/2 lower December meal: 2.30 lower December soy oil: 16 higher December corn: 1 1/3 higher December whe...
Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa Regional Analysis
Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA Pakistan reports that the second 65,000 MT shipment of wheat has arrived from the Ukraine and...
AM Outlook - Caution on Rallies Ahead of WASDE
GOOD MORNING, Prices are mixed this morning after several markets traded to technical target highs before encountering profit-taking. The reversal tr...
Technical Views - Mixed
SPREADS Oct. crush trades to 65.40c/bu while oil share trades to 34.79%. Dec/Dec corn trades from 22c out to 26 1/4c, while Dec/March trades from 9 3...
U.S. Labor Day Holiday
The U.S. will celebrate Labor Day on Monday, 7 September, and the U.S. markets as well as our office will be closed that day. As a result, we will not upda...
The Political/Economic Situation at Labor Day
Monday is the U.S. Labor Day holiday – it marks several things, including the nominal end of summer. With the end of summer comes a drop in gasoline...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.58/bushel, up $0.0425 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.5025/bushel, down $0.03 from yesterday's close. ...
CFTC COT Report Analysis
The attached PDF offers graphical depiction and seasonal analysis of managed money and commercial traders' net position in key agricultural commodity marke...
Market Commentary: CBOT Firms Heading Into Long Weekend
CBOT ag markets were mostly higher as traders added risk premia to corn and soybeans heading into what looks like a dry weekend for the Corn Belt. Wheat fu...
R Realignment with Labor; Eat Mor Chiken
R Realignment with Labor Organized labor has historically aligned with the Democratic Party while Republicans were associated with management. Donald Trump...
Two Ways to Look at Wheat
Less than one month ago, the HRW and HRS leading contracts were at their record lows. The SRW leading contract hit its record low at the start of the marke...
Poor Advice for the Poor; Communism Kills COVID
Poor Advice for the Poor Former South African trade minister Rob Davies had some advice for developing countries that reflects the WTO’s leaderless,...
Market Commentary: Hurry Up and Wait
The uncertainty over yield and demand continues. The crop output side switches to bearish as improved rains are considered, but how much damage has there a...
Livestock Round Up: Ongoing Effects of COVID Meat Packing Shock
USDA released its farm income forecast yesterday reflecting lower prices across the board for livestock and poultry. On the input expense side, purchases...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.5375/bushel, down $0.05 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.5325/bushel, down $0.05 from yesterday's close.&nb...
Oilseed Highlights: U.S. Export Sales; U.S. Soy Export Capacity; Brazil Tariff Backtrack
Soy Export Sales Highlights Last week was a good one for exporters of U.S. soybeans and a fairly good one for soymeal exporters, according to today’s...
PM Post - Getting Out for the Weekend
THE OPEN November beans: 2 higher December meal: steady December soyoil: 29 higher December corn: 1 1/2 lower December wheat: 1 low...
Export Sales
Wheat: Net sales of 585,400 metric tons (MT) for 2020/2021 were down 23 percent from the previous week, but up 4 percent from the prior 4-week averag...
Technical Views - Mixed to Higher
NOTE: There will be no Technical Perspectives reports on 4 September. SPREADS Nov. crush trades to 78.46c/bu while oilshare trades to 35.50%. D...
AM Outlook - Weighing Yields and Output
GOOD MORNING, Prices are mixed to higher this AM, with rainfall this week having a slightly dampening effect. Beans are higher as more business...
U.S. Wheat’s Uncertain Future
During the past two decades one of the most important U.S. agricultural crop production trends has been the movement of corn and soybean plantings into tra...
Market Commentary: Soy Complex Rallies While Wheat Takes a Break; Feeder Cattle are Overpriced
Yesterday’s CBOT trends were reversed with the soy complex moving higher while wheat traded a steady, lackluster day. Corn and soybeans started the d...
Notable Changes in U.S. Agricultural Trade
In the year of COVID, it is difficult to assign precise reasons for changes in trade flows but following are some observations about U.S. agricultural trad...
Responding to Trump Protectionism; Scary Sounding Protections
Responding to Trump Protectionism European farm ministers answered Donald Trump’s “protectionism” with, well more protectionism. German F...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.5875/bushel, up $0.0075 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.5825/bushel, down $0.0575 from yesterday's close.&...
China In-Country Analysis
Livestock China Meat Supply Projected to Increase in Last Quarter Of 2020 With the novel coronavirus largely contained and the economy firing on all cylind...
PM Post - Highs and Lows Likely to Stand
THE OPEN Nov beans: 5 1/4 lower Dec meal: 1.90 lower Dec soyoil: 12 higher Dec corn: 2 1/2 lower Dec wheat: ...
Black Sea Regional Analysis
Russian Grain Markets: 24-28 August 2020 The domestic Russian market prices for wheat, barley and rye changed insignificantly. Corn prices started moving d...
Technical Views - Mostly Lower
SPREADS October crush trades to 79.41c/bu while oilshare trades to 35.0%. Nov/Jan beans trades from 5 3/4c to 6 1/4c. Dec/March corn trad...
AM Outlook - Back and Fill Mission
GOOD MORNING, Prices are on a back and fill mission, with trading ranges now being carved out from the top of the market. The key reversal in soyoil...
Market Commentary: Wheat Rallies; Corn and Soybeans Look for Direction
The CBOT opened higher with support coming from USDA daily “flash” export sales announcements. Corn and soybeans started to weaken by mid-morni...
China Acquiescence; Selective Analysis
China Acquiescence Jeffrey Gerrish, the former deputy USTR for the Trump Administration is now back at his old law firm Skadden Arps and has little reason...
Brazil Punts on Ethanol TRQ
Reports from Brazil indicate that the government is leaning toward extending the TRQ for U.S. ethanol imports for 90 days (the TRQ expired yesterday). Ther...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.58/bushel, up $0.0025 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.64/bushel, up $0.1175 from yesterday's close. ...
Unnecessary Corn Buying
China has been purchasing significant volumes of corn at the same time it sits on the majority of the world’s surplus carryover of the grain. Its pol...
PM Post - Watch for Breaks
THE OPEN Nov beans: 1 higher Dec meal: .30 lower Dec soyoil: 3 lower Dec corn: 1/2 lower Dec wheat: 1 higher Prices opened mo...
Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa Regional Analysis
Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA Pakistan’s Competition Committee (CCP) has said that the government should reduce its r...
Technical Views - Mostly Lower
SPREADS October crush trades down to 77.95c/bu while oilshare trades to 35.0% on a market pullback. Dec/March corn trades into 9 1/2c from 10 1/4c.&n...
AM Outlook - Mixed with Profit-Taking
GOOD MORNING, Prices are mixed this AM with gaps filled in beans and still waiting in corn as the markets find some profit-taking heading into the Septembe...
Market Commentary: Corn, Soyoil Post Reversals; Wheat Remains Strong
The CBOT once again opened higher with expectations for further reductions in crop condition ratings fueling buying activity. Deliveries against September...
Demanding Food Shortages
As Europe transitions to a low carbon economy amid COVID-related disruptions, there are rising concerns about developing shortages of basic materials. The...
Aid and Trade in the COVID Election Season
Initial unemployment claims topped 1 million for the second week in a row after previously declining below that psychological line. Total initial claims we...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.5775/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.5225/bushel, up $0.035 from yesterday's close.&nb...
Inflation/Dollar Outlooks
The flood of easy money from the U.S. Federal Reserve intended to prop up the economy in the face of COVID-19 should be inflationary. The Fed has tipped it...
PM Post - Profit-taking
THE OPEN November beans: 11 1/2 higher December meal: 3.20 higher December soyoil: 50 higher December corn: 3 3/4 higher December w...
European Market Analysis
Regional News Last week (27 August), the European Union removed its tariffs on maize imports into the EU. The tariff was reduced to €0.28/MT on...
Ag Review - August 2020
WPI's monthly publication features a review of the past month's market and policy developments. This issue covers such topics as the commodity markets and...
Mercosur Regional Analysis
Barley Argentina’s final barley planted area is between 850,000 and 900,000 hectares, down 1 million from 2019. Assuming all goes well this growing s...
AM Outlook - Bullish, Plain and Simple
GOOD MORNING, Welcome to first notice day, and the last day of the month. Traders may choose to take profits today, as the bull has had a great run f...
Technical Views - Some Overbought Situations
SPREADS October crush trades to 83.18c/bu while oilshare trades to 35.45%. Corn spreads tighten with Dec/Dec narrowing into 19c from 21 1/2c, w...
How Will You Spend Your CFAP Payment?
USDA sent a reminder out to growers and producers today that there are two weeks left to apply for CFAP payments. As of Monday 24 August, there have been 5...
Another Leader Down; Tipping Past Taipei; Energy Disruption
Another Leader Down The announcement that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzö Abe will resign to focus on a chronic health issue was a shock and could be d...
Market Commentary: Soybeans Rally; Corn Attracts Hedges; Cattle Collapse
The soy complex held most of the CBOT’s excitement today as soybeans and soymeal rallied sharply. Soyoil marked a new high for its move but ended sli...
Dairy Market Growth
U.S. dairy producers demanded this week that the Trump Administration ensure that Canada and Mexico adhere to their commitments for market access under the...
CFTC COT Report Analysis
The attached PDF offers graphical depiction and seasonal analysis of managed money and commercial traders' net position in key agricultural commodity marke...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.5925/bushel, up $0.0075 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.4875/bushel, down $0.02 from yesterday's close.&nb...
PM Post - Challenge Hanging on to Recent Highs
THE OPEN November beans: 4 1/2 higher December meal: 2.90 higher December soyoil: 5 lower December corn: 3/4 lower December wheat:&...
AM Outlook - Volume, Open Interest, Price Rises = Bull
GOOD MORNING, The markets have been on a good roll to the upside. Corn may now only have a net short 90K or so, but the commitment-of-trader's report...
Technical Views - Mixed
SPREADS October crush pops up to 84.27c/bu while oilshare trades firmer to 35.66%. Dec/March corn trades into 10 3/4c from 11c, while Dec/Dec trades...
Market Commentary: Today Sets Up Tomorrow
It was all green at the open except for cattle and that was pretty much the day. It is a trifecta, the perfect storm, when droughty weather threatens, ther...
Livestock Round Up: Balancing Out the Hog Sector
Last week, USDA released the combined U.S. and Canada livestock inventory report, which added a little additional clarity on the hog and pork situation. US...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.585/bushel, up $0.0425 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.5075/bushel, up $0.11 from yesterday's close. ...
Glyphosate on Steroids; Exceptional Food; In the Year 2525
Glyphosate on Steroids It only takes emotive-based fear to elicit demands for glyphosate to be banned so at least there is a fact-based rationale for COVID...
Oilseed Highlights: Brazil Soy Tariff; Soy Export Sales; Brazil Increases Soy Production
Brazil Considering Temporary Suspension of Tariffs on Soybeans The Brazilian Agriculture Ministry today indicated it is considering temporarily removing im...
PM Post - Frothy, But Maybe Not Done
THE OPEN November beans: 10 higher December meal: 4.00 higher December soyoil: 40 higher December corn: 3 3/4 higher December wheat: ...
Export Sales
Wheat: Net sales of 764,100 metric tons (MT) for 2020/2021 were up 46 percent from the previous week and 41 percent from the prior 4-week average.&nb...
Finally, A Market to Watch
It seems as though grain and soy markets have been struggling under the weight of very large supplies and stagnant demand forever. No doubt this is an exag...
AM Outlook - Weather and Demand
GOOD MORNING The market continues to be about weather and demand. Daily announcements for beans to China continues, and is the primary catalyst drivi...
Technical Views - Ascendant
SPREADS Oct. crush trades to 84.08c/bu while oilshare trades to 35.45%. Dec/March corn trades into 10 1/2c from 11 1/2c, while Dec/Dec trades f...
Market Commentary: Soybeans, Soyoil Post New Highs; Cattle Futures Turn Bearish
The CBOT opened higher as called with soyoil and soybeans trading to new highs. Wheat prices continued to firm as charts remain supportive and unconfirmed...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.5425/bushel, down $0.0025 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.3975/bushel, up $0.0425 from yesterday's close.&...
Rational Trade Dependence; Better Examples
Rational Trade Dependence Global trade has begun to rebound but there remains a great deal of misunderstanding about its economic role. President Donald Tr...
International Price Changes
The relative competitiveness of different origins changes over time based on productivity, plus supply and demand. The charts below document relative FOB p...
PM Post - Rumors and Weather
THE OPEN November beans: 2 1/2 higher December meal: .40 higher December soyoil: 14 higher December corn: 2 1/4 lower December whea...
China In-Country Analysis
Livestock Leading Hog Producing Provinces See Strong Recovery With China’s nationwide sow inventory standing at 37.65 million head at the end of July...
Black Sea Regional Analysis
Russian Grain Markets: 17-21 August 2020 Grain prices on the domestic Russian market didn’t change much in ruble expression but decreased in U.S. dol...
Technical Views - Mixed Day Ahead
SPREADS October crush drops to 85.56c/bu while oilshare trades back over 35.0% to 35.20%. Dec/Dec corn trades from 27 3/4c out to 29 1/2c, but firmer...
AM Outlook - Post Panic Buying
GOOD MORNING, Funds purchased a good chunk of corn on Tuesday to the tune of 30K contracts. The gap-higher trade in corn Tuesday implied that there w...
Market Commentary: China Buys, Funds Buy, CBOT Jumps
The CBOT finished sharply higher Tuesday, driven largely by three factors: yesterday’s decline in corn ratings, Chinese export purchases, and a dry M...
Food Box Program Expanded – Watch Your Cheese
In an event at a produce packaging facility in North Carolina yesterday, President Trump announced another $1 billion for the Food Box distribution program...
Purchases are Real; Ethanol Politics
Purchases are Real China's Vice Premier Liu He and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer spoke last night, and the result is bullish the market. Whil...
Flawed Metrics
Yet another flawed study criticizes large scale farms and wrongly equates them with greater environmental damage. Kimberly Nicholas of the Lund University...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.545/bushel, up $0.095 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.355/bushel, up $0.0775 from yesterday's close. ...
PM Post - Upbeat on Sales, Weather
THE OPEN November beans: 8 higher December meal: 3.90 higher December soyoil: 9 lower December corn: 7 higher December wheat: ...
Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa Regional Analysis
Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA The seventh cargo of wheat from India to Afghanistan has arrived in Iran’s Chabahar port for...
Technical Views - Conditions, Weather, Sales
SPREADS October crush trades to 91.38c/bu, while oilshare trades to 34.86%. Corn spreads are firmer with Dec/Dec moving into 28 1/4c from 30c, and vs...
AM Outlook - Sideways Profit-taking
GOOD MORNING, Prices begin the morning mixed with soyoil and corn moving to new highs. Soyoil futures did see profit-taking once new highs were place...
Market Commentary - Torn Between Factors
The CBOT was mixed to start the week with corn and soybeans posting lackluster days. The wheat market continued last week’s strength early in the ses...
August Cold Storage Report
The attached PDF shows WPI's summary analysis and intrepretation for the latest Cold Storage report, published 24 August 2020 by the USDA. Briefl...
Biofuel Deadlines
The expiration and/or renewal date of the current TRQ for ethanol imports into Brazil is rapidly approaching; the current TRQ expires on 31 August. As we r...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.45/bushel, up $0.045 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.2775/bushel, down $0.0725 from yesterday's close.&nbs...
Tightening Payment Limitation; COVID Protectionism
Tightening Payment Limitation The 2018 Farm Bill expanded the types of family members that are eligible for USDA farm payments to include first cousins, ni...
Ethanol Durability
Data from the first half of 2020 shows the pandemic’s impact on trade with U.S. agricultural exports down 3 percent compared with the same period in...
European Market Analysis
Regional News In its latest crop outlook, the EU commission largely reduced yield projections for 2020 summer crops, due to drought that started in e...
Mercosur Regional Analysis
Wheat Argentina’s wheat crop is suffering from a cold, dry winter. Many areas have not received meaningful rains since June and the crop is suffering...
PM Post - Sideways and Cautious
THE OPEN November beans: 5 3/4 higher December meal: 1.90 higher December soyoil: 23 higher December corn: 2 3/4 higher December wh...
Technical Views - Pushing Higher
SPREADS October crush trades down to 90.90c/bu while oilshare improves to 35.0%. Sep/Dec corn narrows into 13 1/4c from 14c, while Dec/Dec trades int...
AM Outlook - Weather and Purchases
GOOD MORNING, Prices are higher across the board this morning on weather forecasts, with positive macros lending a hand. Corn is higher this morning...
CFTC COT Report Analysis
The attached PDF offers graphical depiction and seasonal analysis of managed money and commercial traders' net position in key agricultural commodit...
Market Commentary: Row Crops Steady, Wheat Rallies into the Weekend
The CBOT traded a rather uninspiring day to end the week, with corn and the soy complex largely chopping sideways. Wheat traded a mixed day early with the...
Bearish Cattle on Feed Report
USDA released its Cattle on Feed report today; the inventory of cattle in feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more was 11.3 head, that is 102 percent...
Cattle on Feed
U.S. Cattle on Feed is up 1.5 percent for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.3 million head on August 1, 2020. This is the highest Aug...
Transatlantic Not Dead; Hole in the Plan
Transatlantic Not Dead President Trump avowed to help Maine’s lobster fishermen who confront high tariffs in China and Europe, in part due to his own...
Could Be More Bearish
Trading grain is not as sexy now as it was back in 2007-2008, but it could be worse. Orange juice futures were a big deal in 1983 when the movie Trading Pl...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.405/bushel, up $0.0125 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.35/bushel, up $0.065 from yesterday's close. ...
PM Post - Low Volume Machinations
THE OPEN November beans: 1/4 higher December meal: .80 higher December soyoil: .8 lower December corn: 1 1/2 higher December wheat: ...
Technical Views - Where We're Going
SPREADS Oct. crush trades to 94.25c/bu while oilshare trades to 34.43%. Corn spreads are firmer with SEp/Dec narrowing into 13 3/4c from 14 1/2...
AM Outlook - Mixed Tendencies
GOOD MORNING, Prices are mixed this morning, with oilshare weaker and wheat prices firmer but closing on trading range lows. Rumors of business have...
Livestock Round Up: Larger Placements Anticipated for COF Report
USDA will release its monthly Cattle on Feed report tomorrow. Pre-report estimates from the industry peg the total number of cattle on feed as of 1 August...
Market Commentary: Big Event Next Week
Trading is bracketed by bearish crop yields and passable weather on one side, and reasonable demand on the other. The former prevailed today in corn, soy a...
Tale of Two Stories; Glypho-Surprise
Tale of Two Stories The U.S.-China bilateral meeting is reportedly back on, assuming President Trump does not interfere again. He doesn’t want to tal...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.3925/bushel, down $0.005 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.285/bushel, up $0.065 from yesterday's close.&nbs...
Oilseed Highlights: U.S. Soy Export Sales; India Wants Biotech Oilseeds and Higher Oil Tariffs
Soy Export Sales Highlights Today’s USDA export sales report was both positive and somewhat disappointing. Sales of soybeans for the upcoming marketi...
PM Post - Profit-taking, Selling and Congestion
THE OPEN November beans: 7 lower December meal: 2.10 lower December soyoil: 42 lower December corn: 1 1/2 lower December wheat:&nbs...
Export Sales
Wheat: Net sales of 523,000 metric tons (MT) for 2020/2021 were up 42 percent from the previous week, but down 8 percent from the prior 4-week averag...
Commodities as Investments – Again
We note with interest that several financial advisory services have begun to tout commodities as something an investor might consider adding to his portfol...
Technical Views - Walking Back
SPREADS October crush trades to 93.27c/bu while oilshare slides to 34.53%. Sep/Dec corn continues to weaken trading out to 15c from 14 3/4c carry, wh...
AM Outlook - Looking for Range Lows
GOOD MORNING, Price action remains dominated by weather forecasts and demand. Weather forecasts appear to moderate and offer potential rainfall in wh...
Market Commentary: Markets Await Iowa Yield Estimates
The CBOT was mixed once again with row crops mostly steady unenthusiastic trade as the market awaits the Iowa and Illinois Pro Farmer tour results. Wheat f...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.3975/bushel, down $0.02 from yesterday's close. Dec 20 Wheat closed at $5.22/bushel, up $0.045 from yesterday's close. ...
Belarusian Nuclear Farming
Belarus is in the news, and not in a good way. The country’s leader since the fall of the Soviet Union (28 years) has been Alexander Lukashenko, also...
China In-Country Analysis
Livestock China’s Live Hog Supply Improves for 10th Consecutive Month July figures from China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA...
Black Sea Regional Analysis
Russian Grain Markets: 10-14 August 2020 Wheat prices on the domestic Russian market mainly grew, especially in Siberia. Corn prices either remained stable...
PM Post - Poised for Upside Action
THE OPEN November beans: 1 higher December meal: .40 lower December soyoil: 21 higher December corn: 1 1/2 lower December wheat: 3...
Technical Views - Weak Spreads Trade
SPREADS Oct. crush trades to 92.58c/bu while oilshare trades to 34.90%. Sep/Dec corn spreads remain extremely active with large volumes. Sep/De...
AM Outlook - Bulls versus Bears Equals Sideways
GOOD MORNING, Trade continues to pullback and define trading ranges off the overall lows. Funds added to corn and meal shorts yesterday and bean/soyo...
Market Commentary: Better Corn, Soybean Yield Forecasts Bring Pressure
The CBOT was mostly red on Tuesday as wheat reversed its direction from Monday and posted 6-9 cent losses. Corn was stronger initially but was pulled lower...
Pro-Europe Dems; Final 100 Days; Another Seasonality Hearing
Pro-Europe Dems The last four of the 80-page Democratic Party Convention Platform is on U.S. trade policy. It has plenty of language excoriating unfair for...
Solving Over-Fishing
Process-based trade rules are a slippery slope since perceptions of efficacy can vary greatly. Since global fisheries are being depleted at a rapid rate, t...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.4175/bushel, down $0.03 from yesterday's close. Sep 20 Wheat closed at $5.075/bushel, down $0.09 from yesterday's close.&nbs...
PM Post - Congestive in Nature
THE OPEN November beans: 1 lower December meal: .80 lower December soyoil: 24 higher December corn: 1 higher December wheat: ...
Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa Regional Analysis
Regional Updates MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA A group of Pakistan flour mills reportedly booked 60,000 MT of Black Sea wheat for September...
AM Outlook - Bearish Inputs
GOOD MORNING, Prices this morning begin slightly lower for everything but soyoil on profit-taking and better than expected ratings for corn and beans. ...
Technical Views - Reverse Except Soyoil
SPREADS October crush trades to 94.98c/bu while oilshare trades to 34.48%. Dec/Dec corn trades from 32 1/4c to 33 1/2c, vs. values that were as...
Market Commentary: Dry Weather Ignites Technical Buying
The CBOT finished sharply higher on Monday, with dry weekend weather starting and supporting what turned into a day of technical buying. Funds were aggress...
Iowa: Biofuels Battleground
The latest polling from Iowa, per Monmouth University’s survey taken 30 July-3 August, shows President Trump with a three-point lead over Democratic...
Trade Finance Hole; Trade Policy Shift
Trade Finance Hole The U.S. Export-Import Bank votes to authorize up to $450 million in coverage to include agricultural commodities sold to Iraq. The offi...
Drop in Food Borne Illnesses
At least anecdotally, some food industry lawyers report a drop-off in food borne illness litigation cases this year. Official data is reported by the Cente...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.4475/bushel, up $0.0675 from yesterday's close. Sep 20 Wheat closed at $5.165/bushel, up $0.165 from yesterday's close. ...
Mercosur Regional Analysis
Soybeans Market Overview Soybean markets were not as active last week as they were two weeks ago. China secured additional cargoes of U.S. soybeans for Oct...
PM Post - Possible Signals for tomorrow
THE OPEN November beans: 9 higher December meal; 3.60 higher December soyoil: 39 higher December corn: 5 higher September wheat:&nb...
Technical Views - Buying the Market
SPREADS Oct. crush trades to 93.36c/bu while oilshare trades to 34.44%. Sep/Dec corn trades from 13 1/4c to 14c, while Dec/Dec trades from 32c...
AM Outlook - Focused on Bullish Factors
GOOD MORNING, Prices are firmer this morning on positive technical signals from last week’s August WASDE report, drier weather over the next two week...
Market Commentary: Awaiting New Inputs
It was a modest day in the pits with wheat in the green and corn and soybeans in the red. After yesterday’s profit-taking there was leveling out toda...
Farm Spending: $7 Billion Down, $43 Billion to Go
According to the Monthly Treasury Statement issued by the Department of Treasury, USDA has spent about $149.53 billion so far this fiscal year. That means...
Bilateral Postponed; Seasonal Politics; Poll Results
Bilateral Postponed A planned consultation between China and the U.S. scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed, reportedly due to a scheduling conflict. T...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.38/bushel, up $0.0375 from yesterday's close. Sep 20 Wheat closed at $5/bushel, down $0.0375 from yesterday's close. N...
Crops Being Made
July is a critical month for corn and soybeans are made in August so short of freak events like last week’s derecho, this year’s crops are near...
PM Post - All Things Factored In
THE OPEN November beans: 3 3/4 lower December meal: 1.20 lower December soyoil: 8 lower December corn: 1 1/2 lower September wheat:...
Technical Views - Going Down
SPREADS Oct. crush trades to 92.80c/bu while oilshare declines to 34.88%. Corn spreads are slightly weaker with Dec/Dec trading from 33 1/4c ou...
AM Outlook - Back in Trading Ranges
GOOD MORNING, Prices are settling back in trading ranges with some profit-taking and hedge selling on this week's corn, bean, and meal rally. ...
Market Commentary: Day of Regrets
Yesterday’s bump in the market was because USDA’s WASDE report was not as bearish as feared. Today’s jump is harder to explain - it seems...
Oilseed Highlights: U.S. Soy Export Sales; Highlights of WASDE for Soy
U.S. Soy Export Sales Highlights Today’s USDA export sales highlights confirmed the week ending 6 August was a fantastic one for exporters of U.S. so...
Livestock Round Up: COVID and Pork
Yesterday’s WASDE showed USDA’s red meat and broiler production forecast down slightly from last month’s forecasts with lower projected p...
Summary of Futures
Dec 20 Corn closed at $3.3875/bushel, up $0.115 from yesterday's close. Sep 20 Wheat closed at $4.9675/bushel, up $0.055 from yesterday's close. ...
Carou-Selled; Good for the Goose; Room for Green Ag; Glypho-phobia
Carou-Selled When carousel retaliation (periodically changing the products targeted for trade retaliation) was introduced in 2000, the goal was to increase...