Latest News From Markets - General

Brazil is seeing a sudden shift in weather with heavy rains now forecasted over the next two weeks. While it will bring relief to drought areas, it could cause harvest delays and issues planting the safrinha corn crop. 

As pork producers’ potential profits continue to erode this year, some economists say 2023 could be financially worse than 1998, which is unearthing concerns about contraction, restructuring and vertical integration.

Ag economists’ view on the ag economy is starting to erode. The September Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor shows lower commodity prices, concerns about demand and a negative outlook for China’s economy.

Tyson Foods’ decision to shutter four poultry processing plants, combined with Smithfield Foods announcing the closure 35 Missouri pig farmers, are strong signals that rapid consolidation is already underway.

The July Ag Economists' Monthly Monitor showed several key changes from June including a bigger cut to corn and soybean yields, a drop in corn and soybean prices and more bullish cattle and hog prices.

The National Drought Mitigation Center estimates 67% of corn and 60% of soybeans are still considered to be in drought, a slight improvement from last week when drought covered 70% of corn and 63% of soybeans.

USDA released a few big surprises in the June acreage report, including a spike in corn acres and a large reduction in soybean acres. The agency also forecasts grain stocks below trade expectations.

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor is a new survey of nearly 50 economists. Most ag economists agree the next 12 months could produce more financial pressure for agriculture, but their views vary depending on commodity.

Drought is deepening across the Midwest with 64% of the corn crop and 57% of the soybean crop across the U.S. now covered in drought, a sizable jump in just a week after NASS showed a historic drop in condition ratings.

The U.S. and China have reportedly made “progress” and agreed to stabilize their relationship, but no major breakthroughs were outlined during the two-day meeting between U.S. and China high-ranking officials.

While cattle prices continue to post contract highs, hog prices continue to see intense pressure, and it's creating a dismal outlook for pork profits this year. What's behind the price pressure? Analysts weigh in.

Futures markets are a mystery, says Scott Irwin, author of the new book, Back to the Futures, is now available for pre-order and is scheduled to be released on April 19 on Amazon.

What will the next decade hold for your farm? What factors should you use to weigh investments or crop planning?  Here are five trends and data sets to ponder from USDA's latest Agricultural Baseline Projections.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has wreaked havoc on many poultry operations this year. Cases confirmed this week in Iowa, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin total nearly 1.5 million infected birds.

Global inflation will likely decrease to 6.5% in 2023 and to 4.1% by 2024, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast.

A rail strike is looming despite the majority of unions reaching tentative agreement with the rail companies, but the unions not on board are essential to the operation of the nation’s rail system. 

Strong basis bids are sparking questions about the reality of corn supplies and issues in getting grain to areas of the country that need it. Analysts are watching USDA's Grain Stocks report this week for answers.

Last week, hot and dry weather fueled commodity markets. This week, the change in the weather forecast, as well as growing concerns about a recession, spurred market speculators to sell.

Heat seemed to be the focus of the markets this week. Two veteran market analysts say if this heat continues, and drought becomes an even larger concern, commodities could see a violent run-up in prices.

Farmers reported selling old crop soybeans for $18 and cash corn sits above $8 in some areas. The prices are proving to be painful for pork producers sourcing feed, and it's possible those prices climb even higher.

Feed costs are seeing volatile swings, even as hog prices trend higher. While the markets produce major whiplash for producers, margins on the farm show costs are increasing faster than returns.

Commodity prices won't grow less volatile over the next several months. So, what's a potential game plan for locking in feed prices? Friday's market action may be one example of what producers can do to manage risk.

The commodity markets came under pressure to start the week as traders tried to shed risk over shipping concerns in China as COVID-19 concerns caused officials to shut down transportation amid a two-pronged lockdown.

Wheat futures were fueled by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis on Wednesday. As a result, front-month wheat contracts hit daily trading limits and soared to a 14-year high.

The Russia-Ukraine crisis sent wheat prices skyrocketing 50 cents higher, with corn up 30 cents at one point Thursday. Crude oil also soared above $100 per barrel, hitting the highest level since 2014. 

China pushing for self sufficiency

A new USDA Market News Mobile Application will provide the supply chain with instant access to current and historical market information, including over 800 livestock, poultry, and grain reports.

USDA will release several reports Wednesday, January 12, including Crop Production, Grain Stocks and WASDE. With declining outlooks for South America's crop, Garrett Toay and Brian Splitt break down what to watch.

Transportation woes continue to haunt Northeast shippers as trucks remain hard to come by and freight rates skyrocket because of rising fuel costs and a scarcity of drivers. 

The concept of “goal-based marketing” is easy to understand. The strategy links the sale of crops or livestock to a goal for your business.

China said on Saturday it pressed the United States to eliminate tariffs in talks between the countries' top trade officials that Washington saw as a test of bilateral engagement between the world's biggest economies.

More than a month after ASF was detected in the Western Hemisphere, pork producers are still on edge about the possibility it will enter the U.S., as economists say it would shutter exports almost overnight.

China will issue new rules on the management of price indexes for commodities and services, it said on Thursday as the government steps up scrutiny of the country's commodity markets and battles to contain inflation.

Chinese buyers bought 1.36 million tonnes of U.S. corn, matching their seventh biggest ever purchase of U.S. supplies of the grain, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Friday.

A tradition for more than 100 years will now be a thing of the past. The CME Group announced this week it's not reopening the open outcry pits on the trading floor, which means the tradition will be gone for good.

Lean hog futures finished slightly higher Tuesday. The strengthening U.S. dollar may be a factor, but there are also other fundamentals playing into the market. 

USDA revealed COVID-19 is still impacting U.S. pork supplies. The latest Hogs and Pigs Report showed a surprise reduction in overall numbers, including sows.

U.S. data shows COVID-19 infection rates are now down to levels not seen since early fall, a sign economic recovery could also take shape. As more consumers venture out to restaurants, it could also help meat demand.

USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum painted a brighter forecast for corn demand this year. While USDA does expect a 7% increase in production, the agency is also forecasting an increase in domestic use, as well as exports.

As China builds its domestic stocks of protein like pork, there are fears the country may view its supplies as ample in the second half of 2021. That could put more pressure on domestic demand to carry prices.

As the risk of declining restaurant demand for protein becomes a bigger concern, one Kansas State University economist says it could also be a factor for livestock prices moving forward, but exports will also be key.

During election week, the markets are even more unpredictable than normal. So, what are some factors farmers should watch—no matter the outcome after Tuesday? University of Missouri economists weigh in.

A rise in COVID-19 cases acted as a short-term anchor in the markets. With the election just days away, is agriculture on the verge of a price tipping point? Economists from the University of Missouri weigh in.

WASDE reduced harvested acres for soybeans by 700 thousand from last month's estimate.

There’s some good news about U.S. pork and beef exports for the month of July.

Reports swirled on Monday that China was lashing back at the U.S. by temporarily halting purchases of U.S. pork and soybeans. However, daily sales tell a different story. So, will China continue to buy?

Despite rising tensions between the U.S. and China, some analysts think any break in Chinese buying is a factor of economics and adequate supplies, not politics.

Plunging sales and plant closures are all creating a crisis right now for the pork industry. Hogs are stacking up on farms with farmers scrambling to find places to process them as the value per hog plummets.

The Smithfield Foods plant in Sioux Falls announced it was closing until further notice. As of Tuesday, 438 total workers have tested positive with COVID-19. That’s an increase of nearly 100 overnight.

The ripple effects of Smithfield Foods’ processing plant in Sioux Falls will have far-reaching effects on the industry, leaders in some of the top pork-producing states say.