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Soybean Futures Prices Slightly Higher

Wednesday's Closing Grain + LIvestock Futures Prices

Dec. corn closed at $3.41 and 3/4, down 2 cents
Nov. soybeans closed at $9.82 and 1/2, up 1 and 3/4 cents
Oct. soybean meal closed at $336.40, down $1.90
Oct. soybean oil closed at 33.39, up 58 points
Dec. wheat closed at $4.99 and 1/4, up 3 cents
Oct. live cattle closed at $157.02, up 82 cents
Oct. lean hogs closed at $105.10, down $1.77
Oct. crude oil closed at $94.42, down 46 cents
Dec. cotton closed at 65.68, up 13 points
Oct. Class III milk closed at $24.70, up 51 cents
Oct. gold closed at $1,234.40, down 80 cents
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 17,156.85, up 24.88 points

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Ag Market News and Commodity Comments

Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying. China bought 620,000 tons of new crop U.S. beans, but aside from that, there was no near term supportive news. However, over the long term, the trade is keeping an eye on late season rainfall and cooler temperatures around the Midwest. Soybean meal was down and bean oil was up on the adjustment of product spreads. Widespread soybean planting is very close in South America. Allendale states Argentine soybean processors are having problems sourcing beans due to farmers holding onto supplies.

Corn was lower on fund and technical selling. Corn’s also watching weather and the lack of freezing temperatures in the near term forecasts are encouraging. Traders pretty much just stuck near contract lows, keeping an eye on early harvest activity. Ethanol futures were lower. Ethanol production for the week ending September 12 averaged 931,000 barrels per day, up slightly on the week, but 11 % higher than a year ago. Ethanol stocks totaled 18.805 million barrels, a 16% year to year jump.

The wheat complex was mixed, with Chicago up and Kansas City and Minneapolis down. Wheat’s continuing to look at a bearish fundamental outlook, primarily due to the large available world supply. The trade’s expecting more rainfall in the Plains following the recent tropical storm, which will delay fieldwork around the region. DTN reports Egypt bought 180,000 tons of French and/or milling wheat, while Turkey picked up 200,000 tons of milling wheat from an unnamed seller. ABARE now pegs Australia’s 2014/15 wheat exports at 18.1 million tons, down around a half million from June’s projection. Russia’s Ag Ministry reports 71% of this year’s grain crop is harvested.

The feedlot cattle trade was very quiet with little indication of pending activity. There were a few bids in Nebraska at 245.00 on a dressed basis. Asking prices are holding around 164.00 in the South and 253.00 to 255.00 in the North. Business is not expected before tomorrow or Friday. The kill was estimated at 112,000 head, 2,000 less than last week and 12,000 smaller than 2013.

Boxed beef cutout values were weak to lower on light to moderate demand and moderate offerings. Choice beef was down 1.73 at 245.91, and select ended .64 lower at 232.32.

Live cattle contracts settled 50 to 145 points higher on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Wednesday. The early week pressure in futures seemed to clear a bearish tone in the live cattle complex even though little encouragement was seen in beef values and the inability to increase overall wholesale prices. It is uncertain just how much additional longer-term support this rally will be able to establish over the next couple of trading sessions. October settled .82 higher at 157.92 and December 160.00, up 1.12.

Feeder cattle ended the session 70 to 235 points higher. Aggressive buyer support quickly stepped back into the futures market. Traders sought additional direction from the entire cattle complex. September settled .70 higher at 230.30, up .70, and October was 2.22 higher at 228.10.

Feeder cattle receipts at the Ozarks’ Regional Stockyards at West Plains, Missouri totaled 4267 head on Tuesday. Feeder steers trended uneven from 5.00 lower to 5.00 higher while feeder heifers were 2.00 to 5.00 higher. Yearling steers and heifers trended steady to 3.00 higher. Demand was very good on a heavy supply. Feeder steers medium and large 1 averaging 516 pounds brought 267.18 per hundredweight. 525 pound heifers averaged 247.60.

Lean hogs settled 75 to 225 points lower. The inability for strong support in the cattle markets to break through barriers in the lean hog complex created some uncertainty about overall long term direction in the market. There were questions about fundamental support over the short term in cash hog and pork prices. October settled 1.77 lower at 105.10 and December was down 2.02 at 93.90.

The fact that market watchers saw another round of firming cash bids in hog country on Tuesday is further proof that the early-fall recovery has not yet run out of gas. Finishing floor supplies may become burdensome in another 30-45 days or so, but they remain relatively manageable right now.

Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota direct trade closed .06 lower at 104.56 weighted average on a carcass basis, the West was up .72 at 104.21, and the East 99.90 up 1.84. Missouri direct base carcass meat price was steady from 90.00 to 97.00. Midwest hogs were very uneven for 3.00 to 2.00 to 4.00 lower from 65.00 to 70.00.

The pork carcass cutout value in the afternoon report was down .64 at 110.11 FOB plant.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 416,000 head, 3,000 more than last week, but down 13,000 from last year.

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Agricultural Market Update: Grain Prices, Crop Conditions, and Weather Impacts

Welcome back to our channel where we provide comprehensive updates on the latest trends and changes in the agricultural sector. This week, we're looking at significant movements in grain prices, crop conditions, and the effects of weather patterns. Let's dive into the details:

Grain Price Decline Grain prices have fallen to their lowest levels since 2020, with December corn down 4.3% and November soybeans losing 3.1%. This decline is partly due to the beneficial moisture brought by Hurricane Beryl to the Midwest, which has improved crop conditions significantly. The USDA reported that corn and soybean crops are in their best condition in four years, contributing to the downward pressure on prices.

Record Short Positions and Market Sentiment Fund traders have increased their net short positions in the corn market to a record level, with a net short of 347,000 contracts of corn. This reflects a bearish sentiment in the market, further influencing grain price dynamics. Similar selling trends were observed in soybeans and SRW wheat, indicating broad market caution.

Weather Impact and Forecast Hurricane Beryl has brought significant rainfall across Arkansas, Missouri, western Tennessee, western Kentucky, and southern Illinois, with more expected over Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana in the coming days. Despite this, the market is currently more focused on the moisture benefits rather than potential heat risks forecasted in the 6-10 and 8-14 day periods.

US Crop Conditions Corn and soybean conditions have shown slight improvements last week, with corn rated 68% good to excellent and soybeans at 68%. These are among the best ratings for this time of year since 2020, suggesting robust crop health that could continue to influence grain prices.

Winter Wheat Harvest and Spring Wheat Conditions The US winter wheat harvest is progressing well, ahead of schedule with significant portions already harvested in Kansas and Texas. Spring wheat conditions are also favorable, with 75% rated good to excellent, although there have been some declines in states like Idaho, South Dakota, and Washington. Brazil's Corn Harvest and US Exports Brazil's second corn crop harvest is advancing rapidly due to favorable hot and dry conditions, with 63% of the crop already harvested. Meanwhile, US corn shipments saw a substantial increase last week, indicating strong export demand, which contrasts with the recent drop in domestic grain prices.

Ongoing Developments Lastly, the USDA reported a flash sale of corn, with significant quantities sold to unknown destinations, scheduled for delivery over the next two marketing years. This could signal ongoing international demand for US corn despite lower prices.

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