Mentioned in this episode:

Farm Rescue

Support Farm Rescue today at farmrescue.org

Mentioned in this episode:

Farm Rescue

Support Farm Rescue today at farmrescue.org

Meanwhile, Brazil is moving ahead at a record pace with soybean planting, marking the fastest start in four years and adding another factor for traders to watch.

With the government holiday delaying the weekly USDA Crop Progress report until Tuesday, attention turns to whether the latest numbers will bring any surprises for harvest progress and crop conditions. In the cattle market, producers are hoping cash trade can hold steady this week following recent market uncertainty.

Monday Market Wrap Up with Conner Bridgman at AgMarket

Soybeans also saw a higher yield projection, with USDA raising its 2026/27 forecast to 53.1 bushels per acre, above the average expectation of 52.8. The increase was more modest than the surprise in corn, but it adds to the focus on crop supplies and the potential impact on feed costs.

For livestock producers, the sharp move lower in corn raises an important question: Is this an opportunity to lock in some feed needs? Lower prices may offer a chance to manage input costs, but producers will want to weigh current price levels against their feed requirements, storage capacity and risk-management plans.

Friday Market Wrap Up with Mike Zuzolo at Global Commodity Analytics

At the same time, we’re seeing a risk-off tone across both agricultural and non-agricultural markets. Cheaper prices may be part of the solution, with picnic cut prices dropping Thursday as the market looks for ways to stimulate demand. For grain traders, the focus remains on harvest progress, quality, demand and what Friday’s USDA numbers may bring.

Wednesday Market Wrap Up with Arlan Suderman at StoneX

Meanwhile, markets continue to watch the broader economic picture, including inflation and the U.S. trade deficit. Mike Zuzolo takes a closer look at what those economic trends could mean for agriculture and the markets, as traders balance harvest progress, input costs and the larger economic environment.

Tuesday Market Wrap Up with Mike Zuzolo with Global Commodity Analytics

Attention will also begin shifting toward Friday's USDA reports, including the October WASDE and Crop Production reports, both scheduled for release at noon Eastern. Export activity offered few major surprises, but fresh corn and soybean demand remains important as harvest progresses. Meanwhile, concerns over Black Sea supplies are adding another layer of uncertainty to the global grain markets. For now, traders are balancing improving harvest weather, harvest pressure, grain quality and demand as they look ahead to Friday's USDA numbers.

Monday Market Wrap Up with Maree Johnson at AgMarket.Net

The focus shifts next week from the concern over wet conditions slowing harvest to whether the expected dryout will allow farmers to pick up the pace. Weather and harvest progress will remain key market drivers, with traders also looking ahead to another USDA report Friday.

China will be on holiday next week, limiting the potential for fresh headlines from one of the market's key soybean buyers.

Geopolitical tensions are also adding another layer of uncertainty. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is closely monitoring European companies producing and supplying weapons to Ukraine and described Western assistance that could support strikes deeper inside Russia as a threat. That backdrop leaves the European Union facing continued questions about grain supplies and where it may source corn, potentially creating opportunities for U.S. exports.

Meanwhile, domestic soybean demand remains an important part of the story. Crushers are looking for beans, and delays in harvest are making it more difficult to replenish supplies. With processors needing soybeans and farmers dealing with weather-related harvest delays, the soybean market has another fundamental issue to watch as October gets underway.

For now, the market remains caught between the bearish weight of Wednesday's USDA numbers and the potential for improving harvest conditions, with next week's weather and Friday's USDA report likely to provide the next major catalysts.

Friday Market Wrap Up with Heather Ramsey of the ARC Group.

Weather and grain quality will remain key factors for the grain markets in the near term. After the initial reaction to the report, markets could see some regrouping and consolidation ahead of the next major USDA report.

In cattle, the back months continue to lead the way, with deferred contracts showing strength as traders look ahead to changing feed costs and the longer-term supply outlook.

Thursday Market Wrap Up with Sam Hudson at Cornbelt Marketing

USDA also revised the 2025 corn crop lower by roughly 57 million bushels, primarily by reducing harvested acreage while leaving the record yield unchanged. The combination of smaller production but substantially larger-than-expected stocks points to weaker-than-anticipated disappearance during the final quarter of the 2025-26 marketing year.

If forecasts verify, Iowa could see more than 7 inches of rain during September—more than twice the average and potentially the wettest September in more than 60 years.

Now, attention is turning to Wednesday’s quarterly Grain Stocks report. For corn, the trade is looking for September 1 inventories of 1.918 billion bushels, which would be a six-year high and well above the 1.551 billion bushels reported a year ago.

Soybean stocks are expected to come in near 324 million bushels, just below last year's 325 million. USDA will also finalize the 2025 soybean and corn production numbers, along with the old-crop carryout.

With weather slowing harvest and potentially affecting early fieldwork, Wednesday’s report could provide another key piece of information for the markets.

Tuesday Market Wrap Up with Mike Zuzolo at Global Commodity Analytics

Friday Market Wrap Up with Jeff Peterson at Heartland Farm Partners

Soybeans are getting another layer of attention as harvest weather becomes a bigger market story. Midwest rain could slow harvest, while soybean crushers are watching supplies closely as they look to keep plants running.

More rain is expected across parts of the Midwest, adding another variable to an already complicated harvest and demand picture.

Thursday Market Wrap Up with Heather Ramsey at the ARC Group

First: Trump and Xi. The long-awaited meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is underway, with trade and broader U.S.-China relations in focus.

Second: Russia and Ukraine. Markets continue to watch for signs of a ceasefire or stand-down. Ukraine says it is ready for a maritime truce in the Black Sea, while Russia has indicated it will continue fighting during negotiations.

Third: Harvest weather. Wet weather is becoming a bigger story as harvest moves forward. Forecast models point to additional rain across the western Corn Belt, with parts of Iowa and Nebraska facing more moderate to heavy rainfall through the week.

And cattle? Nebraska is seeing some cash bids develop. The question now is whether that cash support can help cattle hold onto the green as futures trade through another choppy session.

Wednesday Market Wrap Up with Arlan Suderman at StoneX

Black Sea ceasefire chatter is getting attention after Ukraine said it would consider an unconditional ceasefire if Russia agreed. President Trump also said the U.S. is working with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine toward an end to the war.

Meanwhile, markets are looking ahead to Thursday’s Trump-Xi meeting, with trade and other economic issues expected to be closely watched. China has confirmed President Xi’s September 23–25 U.S. visit.

Diesel remains a market concern, while crop progress and increasing chances for rain are also being factored into grain trade.

And cattle couldn’t hold the green, giving back ground on the day as the market continues to navigate cash trade and shifting headlines.

Tuesday Market Wrap Up with Mike Zuzolo at Global Commodity Analytics

Export inspections came in strong for corn and soybeans, while wheat showed a noticeable setback.

Weather could slow the harvest pace, with the latest USDA Crop Progress Report expected to reflect some delays from recent rainfall.

Meanwhile, cattle pushed to hold the green, setting a stronger tone to start the week.

Monday Market Wrap Up with Conner Bridgman at AgMarket.net

Placements in feedlots during August totaled 1.62 million head, 9 percent below 2025. Net placements were 1.57 million head. Placements were the lowest for August since the series began in 1996. During August, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 320,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 240,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 355,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 387,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 230,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 85,000 head.

Marketings of fed cattle during August totaled 1.52 million head, 3 percent below 2025. Marketings were the lowest for August since the series began in 1996.

Other disappearance totaled 52,000 head during August, 2 percent above 2025.

Kyle Bumsted at Allendale breaks down the numbers

All eyes will also be on President Xi Jinping’s scheduled September 24 meeting with President Trump in Washington. Trade will be a key issue, and markets will be watching closely over the next several days for any developments that could impact U.S. agriculture.

Meanwhile, the cattle market remains on a roller coaster. With prices moving sharply, packers are working to limit momentum in the cash market.

Friday Market Wrap Up with David Ericson at Ag Optimus

Meanwhile, harvest pressure is starting to build in corn and soybeans, with weather adding another layer of uncertainty to the market.

And in cattle, cash trade is moving ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s Cattle on Feed Report.

Three markets. Plenty of moving pieces. And traders are watching the headlines closely.

Thursday Market Wrap Up with Kyle Bumsted at Allendale:

The move comes as markets watch the relationship between Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and the Trump administration, which has advocated for lower borrowing costs. The Fed says persistent inflation remains a concern.

Meanwhile, third-quarter GDP expectations are around 2.4%, pointing to continued economic growth despite the higher-rate environment.

And energy markets remain a major wild card. Reuters reports Saudi Arabia has canceled some September crude shipments to European customers following damage to its East-West pipeline, while crude loadings at the Yanbu port have been halted. Saudi Arabia is now increasing shipments through alternative routes, including transfers off Oman.

For agriculture, the fuel story is getting real—diesel has moved above $6 nationally, while some California stations have hit $9.99 a gallon.

And cattle? Another tough day. The market took another hit as money flow continues to move out of commodities, adding to pressure across the livestock complex.

Fed policy, crude oil, diesel and money flow—plenty of moving pieces for agriculture to watch.

Wednesday Market Wrap Up with Arlan Suderman at StoneX

What’s the relationship between wheat and crude oil, and why are Saudi Arabia and global oil markets getting so much attention? With corn harvest now around 8% complete and soybeans at 6%, farmers are keeping a close eye on crude oil and what higher energy prices could mean for agriculture.

Meanwhile, the cattle market is lower once again, with the corn-feeder cattle relationship still very much in play.

From wheat and crude oil to harvest progress and cattle, the connections between these markets could be important as we head deeper into fall.

Tuesday Market Wrap Up with Mike Zuzolo at Global Commodity Analytics

Harvest continues to push north, with central Illinois making progress, according to Conner Bridgman with AgMarket.net. Meanwhile, the high-pressure ridge over the U.S. continues to sink south, keeping the hottest temperatures focused on the Southern Plains and Delta while allowing ridge-riding storms to move across Nebraska, Iowa, southern Minnesota and northern Illinois this week.

The 10-day outlook is calling for at least two inches of rain across those areas, with some locations potentially seeing six inches or more. That could keep weather and harvest conditions firmly in the market spotlight.

Trade tensions are also building. Speculation is growing that President Xi may not attend next week’s meeting with President Trump, following reports that China could cancel the summit if the U.S. approves another arms sale to Taiwan. President Trump says he is not concerned and continues preparations for the planned visit.

The cattle market has started the week on firm footing. Cash trade once again waited until late in the week, with Northern cattle averaging $222 to $224 and Southern trade at $225 to $226. Some cattle traded Saturday, putting the weekly average $2 to $5 higher than the previous week.

With weather, trade headlines and cattle prices all moving, markets have plenty of potential catalysts heading into the week.

With crop problems across parts of the European Union and questions about U.S. acreage, could some of the acres we didn’t know about have come from wheat? At the same time, demand continues to heat up, while crude oil prices remain another key factor for agriculture and the broader economy.

And then there’s interest rates. What happens next week with the Fed—and how could that decision ripple back through agriculture?

Cotton is another market worth watching. In many ways, cotton doesn’t want to be left out of the party.

Finally, what can farmers—both grain and livestock producers—do to get the most out of their marketing efforts in a market full of moving pieces?

Plenty to talk about as we look at demand, energy, interest rates and marketing strategy across agriculture.

Thursday Market Wrap Up with Darren Frye at Water Street

StoneX left its soybean yield estimate unchanged at 53.0 bushels per acre, with production estimated at 4.547 billion bushels. Both figures are slightly above current USDA estimates.

Meanwhile, tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to build, raising fresh concerns about fuel costs heading into harvest. The cattle market also reversed course after Wednesday’s higher trade. No cash cattle trade was reported Wednesday, leaving the five-area weighted average at $219.02, unchanged from the end of last week.

Cattle trade also showed renewed strength, with cash business finally coming together late Friday and into Saturday. Southern cash cattle traded at a firm $223, about $1 higher on the week, with some light trade at $223 reported in the North as well. Hopes are that firmness will continue this week.

Tuesday Market Wrap Up with Mike Zuzolo at Global Commodity Analytics.