CORN
- Dec down 4 @ 5.33
- CONAB reported that as of October 2nd, 24% of Brazil’s corn crop was planted (up 21% from a year ago)
- Private estimates of US national corn yield are higher than what the USDA reported in September
- Starting this weekend, rains are expected in the western Corn Belt
- The US ag attaché raised China’s 20/21 corn imports to 30 mmt (vs the USDA estimate of 26 mmt)
- The US ag attaché lowered China’s 21/22 corn imports to 20 mmt (vs the USDA estimate of 26 mmt)
SOYBEANS
- Nov down 7 @ 12.44
- CONAB estimated the Brazil soybean crop at 135.9 mmt (and 2022 at 143 mmt)
- Malaysian palm oil remains at record high prices
- China is trying to ship palm oil vessels to plants – soybean processing plants remain closed there
- China will return from their Golden Week holiday on Friday
- Brazil October soybean exports are at 2.6 mmt (23% higher than a year ago)
WHEAT
- Dec wheat up 2 @ 7.47, Dec KC up 5 @ 7.46, Dec MNPLS up 9 @ 9.34
- Australia is experiencing dryness in some wheat areas – this could negatively impact yield
- Wheat will require higher input costs (as will corn)
- The Russian Ag Minister stated that their wheat exports will be 37.5 mmt vs a trade guess of 31.5 mmt
- Russia is still talking about export restrictions starting in February to combat food inflation
- It is possible that Argentina will implement a ban on wheat exports
CATTLE
- Oct LC up 0.900 @ 123.725 & Oct FC up 0.625 @ 156.725
- Cash cattle have not yet traded this week
- Due to high feed costs and drought, cattle liquidation continues
- Packers don’t currently have reason to be more aggressive
- Choice cuts down 1.47 and select up 2.62
- Cattle slaughter projected at 122K
- CME Feeder Cattle Index for 10/5: up 0.26 @ 152.79
HOGS
- Oct hogs down 1.050 @ 89.925 & Oct pork cutout down 1.375 @ 109.025
- There is a large gap on the charts below current levels
- Cash and cutouts have not supported the rally of hog futures
- This year supply may not be as high as usual, but the supply of hogs for slaughter usually increases this time of year
- National Direct Afternoon report declined 0.75
- Hog slaughter projected at 478K
- CME Lean Hog Index for 10/6: up 0.06 @ 94.11