The CME and Total Farm Marketing Offices will be closed Friday, July 4, in Observance of Independence Day
CORN
- Corn is trading lower to start the day but remains off yesterday’s contract lows that were made after crop progress results showed another 1 point improvement to crop ratings. Yesterday, September corn found support right at the $4.00 mark.
- Last week, the European weather model forecasted a hotter and drier July, but so far, the 6-10 day forecast shows above average precipitation for the Corn Belt which is weighing on prices.
- US corn used for ethanol came in at 449.4 million bushels in May which was up from April but down 1.3% from a year ago at this time.
SOYBEANS
- Soybeans are trading higher following bullish crushing numbers and oversold futures yesterday which saw the August contract fall to $10.16-1/4 before recovering, the lowest level since April. Meal is lower while bean oil leads the complex higher.
- The USDA released its monthly oilseed report which showed soybean crushings for May at 203.7 million bushels. This was up 6.3% from the same period last year and also up from the previous month. Crude oil production was 6.5% higher.
- In Indian, palm oil imports shot higher by 61% to hit an 11-month high for the month of June as a result of lower domestic inventories. This is bullish for all veg oils.
WHEAT
- All three wheat classes are trading slightly lower to start the day following yesterday’s rally which brought September Chicago wheat futures back to the 50-day moving average. Trade will look for a close above this level.
- Monday’s Crop Progress report showed another decline in crop ratings by 1 point which has added some risk premium as funds hold a large net short position, but the ongoing winter wheat harvest has tempered this rally a bit.
- More rain is expected to fall this week in soft red wheat areas which could delay harvest at times. Europe is currently experiencing a heat wave which could slow harvest there as well.