Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat prices fell more than three per cent on Wednesday as coronavirus fears dragged down equities markets and lifted the dollar, sending Chicago wheat futures to their steepest decline in 7-1/2 months. Soybeans fell more than two per cent, the most in 2-1/2 weeks, and most corn contracts posted fresh […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat posts steepest drop since August
Soy drop biggest in 2-1/2 weeks; corn extends losses on big supply, weak ethanol demand
U.S. grains: Corn drops after USDA pegs plantings above expectations
USDA forecasts largest U.S. corn acres in eight years
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures settled lower on Tuesday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecast 2020 plantings at the largest in eight years, well above trade expectations, while soybeans firmed on a lower-than-anticipated acreage outlook. A tighter-than-expected USDA quarterly corn stocks estimate limited losses, but most contracts notched life-of-contract lows after […] Read more
U.S. projects wheat acres at record lows, increases for soy, corn
Grain stocks as of March 1 down on year
MarketsFarm — As with last year, total wheat acres in the United States are projected to remain at all-time lows, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The department issued its prospective plantings estimates Tuesday. MarketsFarm director of markets and weather Bruce Burnett called USDA’s wheat and soybean estimates positive, while he said its […] Read more
Burnett on Markets: Home flour use soars during pandemic
That's led to increased demand for milling wheat -- at least temporarily
It is hard to miss the lack of flour in the grocery aisles lately as consumers stock up on the “essentials.” A number of stores are just rolling out the pallets of flour into the store and they are picked clean by the end of the day. The increased domestic use of flour does not […] Read more
U.S. grains: Corn slumps as ethanol makers feel coronavirus constraints
Market awaits USDA plantings, quarterly stocks data
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. corn futures fell more than one per cent on Monday on slowing grain demand from ethanol makers, as tightening coronavirus pandemic travel restrictions limited demand for the biofuel. Soybeans ended mixed, with nearby contracts lifted by firm soymeal prices and concerns coronavirus restrictions may impede South American soy shipments. Wheat […] Read more
Prairie cash wheat: Rising loonie cuts into bids
MarketsFarm — Hard red spring wheat bids in Western Canada lost ground during the week ended Thursday, as the bearish influence of a strengthening Canadian dollar more than offset supportive influence from gains in U.S. futures. Average Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS, 13.5 per cent protein) wheat prices were down $5.50-$10 per tonne, according to […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat firm on Russia export quota plan
Chicago corn ends lower
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures rose on Friday on optimism about export prospects as a Russian plan to cap grain exports for the rest of the season shifted attention back to potential supply tensions during the coronavirus pandemic. However, futures pared gains on profit-taking ahead of the weekend and worries that the rally […] Read more
Burnett on Markets: Suddenly agriculture is important
COVID-19 is putting food security in the spotlight
MarketsFarm — A trend has developed in the business news channels over the past week that has not been hard to miss. Suddenly the CEOs of big agriculture and food concerns are being featured front and centre during the business segments. Usually these companies are noted only when they release quarterly results and even then […] Read more
U.S. grains: Wheat retreats from two-month peak
Corn rallies to end firm
Chicago | Reuters — U.S. wheat futures fell on Thursday, retreating from a two-month high set the previous session, as traders booked profits and awaited developments in the coronavirus crisis that had sparked the recent run-up in wheat markets. Soybean futures also declined but corn rallied late in the session to eke out a modest […] Read more
CBOT weekly outlook: Wheat futures underpinned for now
However, traders still watching headlines
MarketsFarm — U.S. wheat futures have climbed higher over the past week, with the largest gains in Chicago Board of Trade soft wheat, as global uncertainty over the COVID-19 pandemic provided some support. However, that uncertainty could also makes predicting market trends rather difficult, according to an analyst. “All of my comments come with a […] Read more