Market Commentary: Perfect Micro-Storm for Grains
The CBOT was higher on Tuesday in a continuation of the post-WASDE exuberance. Rather than USDA’s world balance sheets providing a reason to rally, however, it was the Crop Progress report, rumors of new export business, and progress in a U.S.-China trade agreement that motivated the day&...
Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Supply Down on First Half of Year
U.S. imports of biodiesel and renewable diesel significantly decreased in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in previous years. This decline is primarily due to the loss of tax credits for imported biofuels. Additionally, domestic consumption is also down. In Janua...
No Tariffs, No Reforms; Nōgyō for PM; Turnabout is Fair Play
No Tariffs, No Reforms U.S. President Donald Trump has urged the EU to join him in imposing tariffs on China and India for purchasing Russian oil. EU officials have signaled they are disinclined to use tariffs, but may be willing to impose sanctions on the companies that transact the oil. Sanct...
WPI Crop Progress and Conditions App (Updated 16 September)
Update for 28 April 2025: Last year, users pointed out differences between the 5-year averages reported in this app and what USDA estimates in its weekly report. The difference exists because WPI calculates average based on the last 5 years of observations for the current week. In cases where o...
Summary of Futures
Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.295/bushel, up $0.0625 from yesterday's close. Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.34/bushel, up $0.09 from yesterday's close. Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.4975/bushel, up $0.07 from yesterday's close. Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $286.1/short ton, up $0.4 from yes...
Livestock Industry Margins
Beef packer margins improved for the sixth straight week to put returns at their highest point in two years. The increase in margins came despite a pullback in beef values as packers were able to push fed cattle prices even lower and increase profits. The big concern for packers in the next 3-4...
Market Commentary: Waiting for Confirmation or Contradiction
The CBOT was mostly in the red to start the week with the bullishness from Friday’s WASDE report failing to trigger enthusiasm from bulls this week. Corn and soybeans both tried to rally and follow Friday’s bullish action, but quickly triggered farmer/hedge selling and profit taking...
Outlook for the Fed Meeting This Week
The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week with the make-up of the committee still up in the air. Governor Lisa Cook is questionable regarding her attendance after President Trump has sought her to ouster her on mortgage frau...
Summary of Futures
Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.2325/bushel, down $0.0675 from yesterday's close. Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.25/bushel, up $0.015 from yesterday's close. Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.4275/bushel, down $0.035 from yesterday's close. Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $285.7/short ton, down $2.9...
Chemo-phobia on Steroids
Notably, Congressional Republicans followed the demands of farm groups and added a provision in the latest government funding bill that some say would shield pesticide companies from lawsuits. Companies like Bayer have battled lawsuits for selling pesticides lawfully approved for use by regulat...
CFTC COT Report Analysis
Friday’s CFTC report showed managed money traders embarking on a second straight week of net short selling across the ag space as they slightly expanded a relatively neutral position. The expansion of the short position came mostly from selling in soybeans, soyoil, and SRW wheat, with min...
Market Commentary: USDA Surprises; Market Marches Its Own Beat
While there was some red flashing early in today’s trading session, by the close all major grain and oilseed contracts were in the green. Ahead of USDA’s September WASDE report, the trade was focused on yield cuts, which had also been the principal output of various private sector c...
Market Commentary: Perfect Micro-Storm for Grains
The CBOT was higher on Tuesday in a continuation of the post-WASDE exuberance. Rather than USDA’s world balance sheets providing a reason to rally, however, it was the Crop Progress report, rumors of new export business, and progress in a U.S.-China trade agreement that motivated the day&...
Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Supply Down on First Half of Year
U.S. imports of biodiesel and renewable diesel significantly decreased in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in previous years. This decline is primarily due to the loss of tax credits for imported biofuels. Additionally, domestic consumption is also down. In Janua...
No Tariffs, No Reforms; Nōgyō for PM; Turnabout is Fair Play
No Tariffs, No Reforms U.S. President Donald Trump has urged the EU to join him in imposing tariffs on China and India for purchasing Russian oil. EU officials have signaled they are disinclined to use tariffs, but may be willing to impose sanctions on the companies that transact the oil. Sanct...
WPI Crop Progress and Conditions App (Updated 16 September)
Update for 28 April 2025: Last year, users pointed out differences between the 5-year averages reported in this app and what USDA estimates in its weekly report. The difference exists because WPI calculates average based on the last 5 years of observations for the current week. In cases where o...
Summary of Futures
Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.295/bushel, up $0.0625 from yesterday's close. Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.34/bushel, up $0.09 from yesterday's close. Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.4975/bushel, up $0.07 from yesterday's close. Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $286.1/short ton, up $0.4 from yes...
Livestock Industry Margins
Beef packer margins improved for the sixth straight week to put returns at their highest point in two years. The increase in margins came despite a pullback in beef values as packers were able to push fed cattle prices even lower and increase profits. The big concern for packers in the next 3-4...
Market Commentary: Waiting for Confirmation or Contradiction
The CBOT was mostly in the red to start the week with the bullishness from Friday’s WASDE report failing to trigger enthusiasm from bulls this week. Corn and soybeans both tried to rally and follow Friday’s bullish action, but quickly triggered farmer/hedge selling and profit taking...
Outlook for the Fed Meeting This Week
The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week with the make-up of the committee still up in the air. Governor Lisa Cook is questionable regarding her attendance after President Trump has sought her to ouster her on mortgage frau...
Summary of Futures
Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.2325/bushel, down $0.0675 from yesterday's close. Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.25/bushel, up $0.015 from yesterday's close. Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.4275/bushel, down $0.035 from yesterday's close. Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $285.7/short ton, down $2.9...
Chemo-phobia on Steroids
Notably, Congressional Republicans followed the demands of farm groups and added a provision in the latest government funding bill that some say would shield pesticide companies from lawsuits. Companies like Bayer have battled lawsuits for selling pesticides lawfully approved for use by regulat...
CFTC COT Report Analysis
Friday’s CFTC report showed managed money traders embarking on a second straight week of net short selling across the ag space as they slightly expanded a relatively neutral position. The expansion of the short position came mostly from selling in soybeans, soyoil, and SRW wheat, with min...
Market Commentary: USDA Surprises; Market Marches Its Own Beat
While there was some red flashing early in today’s trading session, by the close all major grain and oilseed contracts were in the green. Ahead of USDA’s September WASDE report, the trade was focused on yield cuts, which had also been the principal output of various private sector c...