Grain Marketing Education, News & Strategies

Tidbits Logistics: Iowa has issued weight-limit exemptions for vehicles up to 90,000 pounds gross weight transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer, manure, and distiller grains. The waiver is effective until October 10 and was granted to help mitigate traffic concerns during harvest time. A farmer association said the waiver will allow a 1,000-acre farmer to use 26 fewer truckloads during this harvest, which is significant during the high fuel prices

Tidbits Flash Sales: Yesterday, the USDA announced the sale of 488,000 mts of new crop soybeans to China and 136,150 mts of new crop soybeans to unknown. The June USDA crushing report had 520 million bushels of corn crushed, up 5% from a year ago. The soybean crush was 218 million bushels, up 10.65% from a year ago. The canola June crush was 204,577 tons, up 22.9% from a year ago. Biofuel: Friday EIA data showed combined biodiesel and renewable diesel production in May 2026 w

Tidbits Weather: Crop Prophet reported yesterday afternoon all three major forecast models place the Western Corn Belt on the warmer and drier side of normal through early August. Russian wheat production estimate was reduced by SovEcon by 0.6 million to 88.3 million mts. This is now just below the USDA’s forecast of 88.5 million mts. Brazil’s CONAB estimated 97% of Brazil’s wheat area has been planted as of July 19, matching the five-year average. CONAB is estimating Brazil’

Tidbits The U.S. and Iran released the text of an interim agreement their presidents have signed to end their war on Wednesday, with the U.S. President threatening to resume attacks and kill Iranian officials if they failed to honour their ​commitments. Iran's leaders did not address the new threats. The memorandum of understanding stipulates that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen, with Iran agreeing to allow “safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only,

Tidbits Flash sale: Yesterday morning, the USDA announced the sale of 128,000 mts of new crop corn to unknown. Oils: Karen Braun reported that the U.S. cooking oil imports fell to a 16-month low in June, but first half 2025 used cooking oil imports were up 9% from a year ago. Starting January 2026, only biofuel feedstock from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. will be eligible for the tax credits. North America soybean oil and canola oil will be the main feedstock for biofuels and

Tidbits The whole world is waiting for news about the tariffs that President Donald Trump is expected to announce today. President Trump granted Mexico a 90-day reprieve from higher tariffs to negotiate a broader trade deal, after a call with Mexican President Sheinbaum, avoiding a 30% duty on most Mexican non-automotive and non-metal goods under USMCA. Yesterday morning, the USDA reported the sale of: 100,000 mts of new crop corn to Colombia 140,000 mts of new crop corn to S

Tidbits The markets will be closed on 18 April, Good Friday. Yesterday morning, the USDA announced the sale of 120,000 mts of old crop corn to Japan. USDA's second Crop Progress report had spring wheat now at 7% planted, corn at 4%, soybean at 2%. Winter wheat conditions fell slightly to 47% good or excellent. The USDA on Monday said it had canceled a $3 billion program for climate-smart farming projects after a review found it did not align with the priorities of the Trump a

Highlights Crude oil prices dropped $2+ yesterday when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he is ready to suspend hostilities in the Gaza Strip for six weeks, but will not agree to a complete ceasefire. He said there are many details that need to be worked out. That means a cease-fire will probably not happen. Lowe crude oil prices mean lower prices for biofuels and that means lower prices for corn and beans. Corn planting was reported to be 91% complete vs.

Highlights Water rationing is becoming more frequent in the Corn Belt. On Friday, the Poweshiek Water Association, one county west of Iowa City, issued that crop sprayers cannot be filled from its rural water system until further notice. Thanks Josh for this. https://www.poweshiekwater.com There is a rising tide of protectionism threatening to become a full-blown trade war between China and Europe, the head of a European business lobby group warned Friday. Biden’s threa

Highlights Yesterday afternoon US time, Iran launched hundreds of drones and then missiles aimed at Israel. Russia also attacked Ukraine’s northeast city of Kharkiv with the same Iranian-made Shahed drones yesterday afternoon. US intelligence believes Iran has as many as 500 drones and missiles to launch from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. US and British air forces participated in neutralizing threats before entering Israeli airspace. Minor damage sustained at an Isra

Highlights Trade ministers from nearly every country in the world gather in Abu Dhabi today for a World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting that aims to set new global commerce rules. While no major changes are expected, one never knows what might happen when that many politically motivated upper-crust people discuss changing the rules. Typical bearish events are: Fear of USDA reports, last one was 8 February, next up is the S&D on March 8th. Options expiration day, this past

Highlights Reuters News reported that Russia unleashed its biggest air attack of the war on Ukraine on Friday, cities and infrastructure across the country were targeted. Ukraine claims civilian casualties, while Russia says only military facilities were attacked. It was Russia’s largest aerial attack of the war on Ukraine and wheat closed lower yesterday. What happened to the good ol’ days when market action made some sense occasionally? Did the world forget the Black Sea

Jacob of Wahpeton, North Dakota reports: "Wheat harvest is rolling in the southeastern part of the Red River valley in North Dakota. I just wanted to give you a little update. Hearing a lot of 35 to 50 bushel yields with very low test weights. Typical for around here is 55 to 70 bushel yields with pretty good test weight. Proteins have been high though, so likely no premium for protein being that everybody's wheat got stressed this year." Jake has a very successful grain mar

Pricing Soybeans Sell all remaining 2022 (old crop) soybeans. This is generic market information. If you are a full service client, talk...