Summary of Futures
Dec 26 Corn closed at $5.305/bushel, down $0.0375 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Wheat closed at $7.27/bushel, down $0.0375 from yesterday's close. Nov 26 Soybeans closed at $13.1975/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Soymeal closed at $371.3/short ton, up $5...
Market Commentary: The Dust Settles
Given yesterday’s headlines, today’s market action may not be what many expected. The dollar is little changed, crude oil is pulling back and stocks are trading higher. Crude may be the biggest piece of today’s reversal. Saudi Arabia is offering additional crude to Asian buyer...
Managed Money Makes a Record Bullish Bet on Agriculture
Key Takeaways: Managed money is holding more than one million net-long contracts across agricultural markets, with corn, soybeans, and soymeal all reaching record net-long positions in September. Fundamental concerns surrounding yields, supplies, and global availability have helped justify the...
Livestock Round Up: USDA Plans to Expand Small and Very Small Beef Processors
Under an Executive Order on 4 September, USDA announced $50 million in new funding to help states establish or expand meat and poultry inspection programs as part of an effort to increase processing options for livestock producers. It’s called the Stand-Up Program, which will help states...
Another Try at Ag Labor Legislation
What You Need to Know: H-2A has become a principal agricultural labor channel: certifications increased from fewer than 117,000 in 2014 to 398,258 in 2025 and continued to rise in 2026. The proposed Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA) would open H-2A to year-round operations and...
Summary of Futures
Dec 26 Corn closed at $5.3425/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Wheat closed at $7.3075/bushel, up $0.0225 from yesterday's close. Nov 26 Soybeans closed at $13.205/bushel, up $0.0175 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Soymeal closed at $365.6/short ton, up $0.2 f...
Market Commentary: Markets Digest Fed Hike as Trade Takes Center Stage
What You Need to Know Today: As was widely expected, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points to a target range of 3.75–4.00 percent, its first rate increase since 2023, as policymakers respond to persistent inflation pressures. The Fed also signaled that additi...
USDA Reports - The Real Divide in American Agriculture Isn't Who Has the Data — It's Who Can Afford to Read It
Key Takeaways: USDA data access is equal; the ability to use it is not. Larger operations can afford experts who turn public reports into business decisions. Analytical capacity is the true advantage. Forecasts matter only when converted into profit, purchasing, and risk-management decisions...
Summary of Futures
Dec 26 Corn closed at $5.3575/bushel, up $0.025 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Wheat closed at $7.285/bushel, up $0.065 from yesterday's close. Nov 26 Soybeans closed at $13.1875/bushel, up $0.145 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Soymeal closed at $365.4/short ton, up $9.2 from...
Market Commentary: Soymeal Prices Reach Two-Year High
What You Need to Know Today: Oil prices extended their rally Tuesday as disruptions to global supplies intensified. Saudi Arabia halted crude loadings at its Yanbu Red Sea port following the shutdown of the East-West Pipeline, while protests by oil-sector security workers forced the suspension...
WASDE Livestock and Meat Price Forecasts
The USDA has lowered its 2026 red meat production forecasts while leaving poultry almost unchanged. Beef is now projected at 24.877 billion pounds, 90 million pounds below August on slower Q3 fed cattle slaughter and lighter dressed weights, along with an anticipated counterseasonal cutback in...
Livestock Industry Margins
Beef packer margins deteriorated to $156.75/head last week, down $46.05 from the prior week as fed cattle prices strengthened while gains in the Choice cutout were comparatively modest. The Choice cutout increased...
Summary of Futures
Dec 26 Corn closed at $5.305/bushel, down $0.0375 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Wheat closed at $7.27/bushel, down $0.0375 from yesterday's close. Nov 26 Soybeans closed at $13.1975/bushel, down $0.0075 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Soymeal closed at $371.3/short ton, up $5...
Market Commentary: The Dust Settles
Given yesterday’s headlines, today’s market action may not be what many expected. The dollar is little changed, crude oil is pulling back and stocks are trading higher. Crude may be the biggest piece of today’s reversal. Saudi Arabia is offering additional crude to Asian buyer...
Managed Money Makes a Record Bullish Bet on Agriculture
Key Takeaways: Managed money is holding more than one million net-long contracts across agricultural markets, with corn, soybeans, and soymeal all reaching record net-long positions in September. Fundamental concerns surrounding yields, supplies, and global availability have helped justify the...
Livestock Round Up: USDA Plans to Expand Small and Very Small Beef Processors
Under an Executive Order on 4 September, USDA announced $50 million in new funding to help states establish or expand meat and poultry inspection programs as part of an effort to increase processing options for livestock producers. It’s called the Stand-Up Program, which will help states...
Another Try at Ag Labor Legislation
What You Need to Know: H-2A has become a principal agricultural labor channel: certifications increased from fewer than 117,000 in 2014 to 398,258 in 2025 and continued to rise in 2026. The proposed Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA) would open H-2A to year-round operations and...
Summary of Futures
Dec 26 Corn closed at $5.3425/bushel, down $0.015 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Wheat closed at $7.3075/bushel, up $0.0225 from yesterday's close. Nov 26 Soybeans closed at $13.205/bushel, up $0.0175 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Soymeal closed at $365.6/short ton, up $0.2 f...
Market Commentary: Markets Digest Fed Hike as Trade Takes Center Stage
What You Need to Know Today: As was widely expected, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points to a target range of 3.75–4.00 percent, its first rate increase since 2023, as policymakers respond to persistent inflation pressures. The Fed also signaled that additi...
USDA Reports - The Real Divide in American Agriculture Isn't Who Has the Data — It's Who Can Afford to Read It
Key Takeaways: USDA data access is equal; the ability to use it is not. Larger operations can afford experts who turn public reports into business decisions. Analytical capacity is the true advantage. Forecasts matter only when converted into profit, purchasing, and risk-management decisions...
Summary of Futures
Dec 26 Corn closed at $5.3575/bushel, up $0.025 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Wheat closed at $7.285/bushel, up $0.065 from yesterday's close. Nov 26 Soybeans closed at $13.1875/bushel, up $0.145 from yesterday's close. Dec 26 Soymeal closed at $365.4/short ton, up $9.2 from...
Market Commentary: Soymeal Prices Reach Two-Year High
What You Need to Know Today: Oil prices extended their rally Tuesday as disruptions to global supplies intensified. Saudi Arabia halted crude loadings at its Yanbu Red Sea port following the shutdown of the East-West Pipeline, while protests by oil-sector security workers forced the suspension...
WASDE Livestock and Meat Price Forecasts
The USDA has lowered its 2026 red meat production forecasts while leaving poultry almost unchanged. Beef is now projected at 24.877 billion pounds, 90 million pounds below August on slower Q3 fed cattle slaughter and lighter dressed weights, along with an anticipated counterseasonal cutback in...
Livestock Industry Margins
Beef packer margins deteriorated to $156.75/head last week, down $46.05 from the prior week as fed cattle prices strengthened while gains in the Choice cutout were comparatively modest. The Choice cutout increased...