Good Morning,

Corn, soybeans and wheat are trading slightly higher this morning up 3, 1 and 2 respectively. Wheat was the leader of the commodities yesterday with weather being the contributing factor. The western plains remain dry while the Midwest looks favorable for fieldwork over the next 6-10 days with small chances of rain in the middle of this week. Producers are trying to get corn in ahead of these rains to take advantage of the germination the rain would bring. Historically fast planted corn crops add corn acres.
Last night’s weekly crop progress report showed 17% of the corn crop planted which is up from last week’s 5% compared to 27% for the five year average. Wisconsin came in at 3% complete vs. 9% on the five year average. Look for these numbers to jump in next week’s report.
Producers should have firm offers in place with their buyers to take advantage of any weather swings we may see in the coming months. The last three years we have seen the market rally between the first of May and the end of June. With lower acres this year and expectations for yields to drop back to trend line, I would expect this trend continues this year.

Have a Safe Day!

Garry Gard
920-348-6844
ggard@didionmilling.com

Good Morning,

Corn planting is in full swing across much of the Midwest this week which should ease the concerns for late planting in the markets. Expectations for planting progress this afternoon are expected to be 17-20% complete compared to 27% on the five year average and 5% last week.
This morning corn is up 3, beans are up 2 and wheat is up 12. The following factors appear to be moving the markets this morning:
• Dryness in the plains continues to be a concern for wheat farmers and has wheat trading 12 higher today.
• Southern Brazil’s safrihna corn continues to deal with drought like conditions that are reducing the size of their crop.
• Last weeks accident at the largest meal export terminal in Argentina has soybean meal prices pushing higher. This is adding a little support to corn and soybeans domestically.

Producers should have firm offers in place with their buyers to take advantage of any weather swings we may see in the coming months. The last three years we have seen the market rally between the first of May and the end of June. With lower acres this year and expectations for yields to drop back to trend line, I would expect this trend continues this year.

Have a Safe Day!

Garry Gard
920-348-6844
ggard@didionmilling.com

Good Morning,

We are seeing some profit taking after yesterday’s run up in the markets. Corn is currently down 2 soybeans down 3 and wheat down 8.
Weekly export sales shoed corn at 27.4 million bu. which is 28 million below the ten week average. Soybeans were also low at 13.6 million bu. which is 22 million below the ten week average. To date corn and soybeans are ahead of the projected pace by 5% and 1% respectively. Exports could gain traction in the near future as dryness in southern Brazil remains a major concern.
The 6-10 day forecast for May 1st thru 5th shows above normal temps in most of the cornbelt with the exception of the far WCB which Is below normal temps.

Congratulations to everyone that took advantage of yesterday’s rally to lock in $4 corn. These opportunities need to be seized when they are presented.

Have a Safe Day!

Garry Gard
920-348-6844
ggard@didionmilling.com

Good Morning,

The extended US forecast looks mostly favorable as the 6-10 day now shows above normal temperatures and drier across the Midwest. This will help corn and soybean planting progress, but the drier forecast is not offering any relief for wheat in the plains. Yesterday we saw wheat finish 10 higher which pulled corn 3 higher. This morning corn and wheat are both trading 3-4 higher and soybeans are 6 higher.
We have seen little to no premium added to the corn and soybean markets based on US weather and planting delays to this point. If current forecasts hold true, I don’t expect we will see any. However, weather premiums could come from South America. Dryness in the southern third of Brazil is causing concern for their second corn crop(Safrinha). The potential for lower Brazilian production is making US corn more competitive in the world market and could add to our export demand.
Trade tensions between the US and China continue to limit soybean exports with tariffs looming. China’s purchases of US soybeans have come to a halt following last week’s anti-dumping move on sorghum rattles the industry. Chinese buyers who consume 60% of the world’s soybeans have not signed a new deal to take US soybeans. Traders will continue to monitor this situation as they look for implementation or resolution of the pending tariffs.

Producers are advised to continue to have firm offers in place on old and new crop corn before you head to the fields.

Have a Safe Day!

Garry Gard
920-348-6844
ggard@didionmilling.com

April 23, 2018

Good Morning,

After ticking fractionally lower overnight to match last week’s lows, the corn market has found some buying as traders expect nominal gains to US planting progress this afternoon. Reports of good progress occurring this weekend across parts of the ECB and planting should expand this week with warmer temperatures and drier conditions. Corn planting is expected to be between 7-8% this afternoon compared to 3% last week and 13% for the five year average.

Friday afternoon’s USDA Cattle on feed report showed all cattle on feed as of April 1 at 107.4% of last year. Placements came in at 90.7% of last year and marketing’s at 96.1%% of last year.
The soybean market is trading lower this morning with little fresh news to trade and nothing new on the US/China trade relations. China has been buying soybeans from Paraguay recently.

Congratulations to producers who took advantage of our May/Dec Accumulator contract last week to lock in $3.80 May corn and potential $4.00 December corn. Being proactive and taking advantage of these “accumulator” contracts are a great marketing strategy.

Producers should be actively placing firm offers with their buyers for new crop sales that are hovering near the $4 range. Take advantage of the down time you have before you head to the fields to talk with your buyers to get targets set for the crop you will be planting. For most producers it is difficult to find time to make sales or put firm offers in once you are busy planting. This is also the time that we could see spikes in the market due to weather issues around the country.

Have a Safe Day!

Garry Gard
920-348-6844
ggard@didionmilling.com