Weekly Crop Comments by Dr. Aaron Smith

Corn

Ethanol production for the week ending October 30 was 0.961 million barrels per day, up 20,000 barrels from the previous week. Ethanol stocks were 19.675 million barrels, up 0.074 million barrels compared to last week. Corn net sales reported by exporters for October 23-29 were up compared to last week with net sales of 102.8 million bushels for the 2020/21 marketing year and 21.3 million bushels for the 2021/22 marketing year. Exports for the same time period were down 1% from last week at 28.7 million bushels. Corn export sales and commitments were 56% of the USDA estimated total exports for the 2020/21 marketing year (September 1 to August 31) compared to the previous 5-year average of 35%.

Nationally the Crop Progress report estimated corn harvested at 82% compared to 72% last week, 49% last year, and a 5-year average of 69%. In Tennessee, the Crop Progress report estimated corn harvested at 94% compared to 91% last week, 99% last year, and a 5-year average of 98%. Across Tennessee, average corn basis (cash price-nearby futures price) strengthened or remained unchanged at Northwest and North-Central and weakened at Mississippi River, West-Central, and West elevators and barge point. Overall, basis for the week ranged from 20 under to 30 over, with an average of 4 over the December futures. December 2020 corn futures closed at $4.06, up 8 cents since last Friday. For the week, December 2020 corn futures traded between $3.93 and $4.17. Dec/Mar and Dec/Dec future spreads were 7 and -11 cents. March 2021 corn futures closed at $4.13, up 10 cents since last Friday. December 2021 corn futures closed at $3.95, down 8 cents since last Friday. Downside price protection could be obtained by purchasing a $4.00 December 2021 Put Option costing 35 cents establishing a $3.65 futures floor.

Soybeans

Net sales reported by exporters were down compared to last week with net sales of 56.2 million bushels for the 2020/21 marketing year. Exports for the same period were down 6% compared to last week at 92.9 million bushels. Soybean export sales and commitments were 81% of the USDA estimated total annual exports for the 2020/21 marketing year (September 1 to August 31), compared to the previous 5-year average of 53%.

Nationally the Crop Progress report estimated soybeans harvested at 87% compared to 83% last week, 71% last year, and a 5-year average of 83%. In Tennessee, soybeans harvested at 58% compared to 51% last week, 74% last year, and a 5-year average of 73%. Across Tennessee, average soybean basis weakened at Mississippi River, West, West-Central, North-Central, and Northwest elevators and barge points. Basis ranged from 7 under to 34 over the January futures contract. Average basis at the end of the week was 10 over the January futures contract. January 2021 soybean futures closed at $11.01, up 45 cents since last Friday. For the week, January 2021 soybean futures traded between $10.45 and $11.12. Jan/Mar and Jan/Nov future spreads were -2 and -95 cents. March 2021 soybean futures closed at $10.99, up 51 cents since last Friday. November 2021 soybean futures closed at $10.06, up 35 cents since last Friday. Downside price protection could be achieved by purchasing a $10.20 November 2021 Put Option which would cost 75 cents and set a $9.45 futures floor.  Nov/Dec 2021 soybean-to-corn price ratio was 2.55 at the end of the week.

Cotton

Net sales reported by exporters were down compared to last week with net sales of 171,300 bales for the 2020/21 marketing year and 55,700 bales for the 2021/22 marketing year. Exports for the same time period were up 18% compared to last week at 270,000 bales. Upland cotton export sales were 65% of the USDA estimated total annual exports for the 2020/21 marketing year (August 1 to July 31), compared to the previous 5-year average of 57%. Delta upland cotton spot price quotes for November 5 were 67.32 cents/lb (41-4-34) and 69.57 cents/lb (31-3-35). Adjusted World Price (AWP) decreased 1.36 cents to 56.01 cents.

Nationally, the Crop Progress report estimated cotton condition at 37% good-to-excellent and 34% poor-to-very poor; and cotton harvested at 52% compared to 42% last week, 51% last year, and a 5-year average of 49%. In Tennessee, cotton condition was estimated at 63% good-to-excellent and 17% poor-to-very poor; cotton bolls opening at 100% compared to 98% last week, 100% last year, and a 5-year average of 100%; and cotton harvested at 52% compared to 46% last week, 65% last year, and a 5-year average 69%. December 2020 cotton futures closed at 68.62, down 0.3 cents since last Friday. For the week, December 2020 cotton futures traded between 68.06 and 70.94 cents. Dec/Mar and Dec/Dec cotton futures spreads were 1.53 cents and 0.05 cents. March 2021 cotton futures closed at 70.15 cents, up 0.37 cents since last Friday. December 2021 cotton futures closed at 68.67 cents, up 0.26 cents since last Friday. Downside price protection could be obtained by purchasing a 70 cent December 2021 Put Option costing 5.99 cents establishing a 64.01 cent futures floor.

Wheat

Wheat net sales reported by exporters were down compared to last week with net sales of 21.9 million bushels for the 2020/21 marketing year. Exports for the same time period were down 28% from last week at 11.7 million bushels. Wheat export sales were 64% of the USDA estimated total annual exports for the 2020/21 marketing year (June 1 to May 31), compared to the previous 5-year average of 62%.

Nationally the Crop Progress report estimated winter wheat condition at 43% good-to-excellent and 19% poor-to-very poor; winter wheat planted at 89% compared to 85% last week, 88% last year, and a 5-year average of 86%; and winter wheat emerged at 71% compared to 62% last week, 69% last year, and 5-year average of 70%. In Tennessee, winter wheat condition was estimated at 67% good-to-excellent and 4% poor-to-very poor; winter wheat planted was estimated at 64% compared to 56% last week, 56% last year, and a 5-year average of 62%; and winter wheat emerged at 48% compared to 36% last week, 32% last year, and a 5-year average of 37%. December 2020 wheat futures closed at $6.02, up 4 cents since last Friday. December 2020 wheat futures traded between $5.91 and $6.26 this week. December wheat-to-corn price ratio was 1.48. Dec/Mar and Dec/Jul future spreads were 7 and 3 cents. March 2021 wheat futures closed at $6.09, up 9 cents since last Friday. In Tennessee, new crop wheat cash contracts ranged from $5.86 to $6.17. July 2021 wheat futures closed at $6.05, up 13 cents since last Friday. Downside price protection could be obtained by purchasing a $6.10 July 2021 Put Option costing 47 cents establishing a $5.63 futures floor.