Daily Insights

August 13, 2024

Good morning,

All commodities are in sell mode this morning as corn is down 4, soybeans down 19 and wheat is down 3.

Steady crop ratings, when ratings normally fall, rain in the forecast and follow thru selling from yesterday’s crop report in soybeans are pressuring the market today.

The August crop report saw a downward adjustment of 800,000 acres in corn, to 90.7 mil acres.  US wheat seeding was down 900,000 acres to 46.3 mil acres, while soybeans gained 1 million acres.  Crop yields are forecast at a record 183.1 bpa in corn, and soybeans at 53.2.  The acreage adjustments came from FSA reported acres that are official since they are certified acres for any producer that carries crop insurance. The USDA adds about a million acres into the USDA reports from FSA data for both corn and beans to account for those not in the program.  Overall, there were close to 5 million acres of prevent plant this year, which is close to what the statistics suggested.

Corn and soybean condition ratings remained steady this week at 67% and 68% good/excellent, respectively—both ahead of last year and their respective five-year averages.

 

2023/24 US Carryout (Billion Bushels)

USDA August USDA July Average Estimate
Corn 1.867 1.877 1.876
Soybeans .345 .345 .349

 

 

USDA 2024 US Yield (Bushels per Acre)

USDA August USDA July Average Estimate
Corn 183.1 181.0 182.1
Soybeans 53.2 52.0 52.5

 

USDA 2024 Production (Billion Bushels)

USDA August USDA July Average Estimate
Corn 15.147 15.100 15.112
Soybeans 4.589 4.435 4.469

 

USDA 2025 US Carryout (Billion Bushels)

USDA August USDA July Average Estimate
Corn 2.073 2.097 2.096
Soybeans .560 .435 .465
Wheat .828 .856 .862

 

Have a Safe Day!

 

Garry Gard

920-348-6844

ggard@didioninc.com

July 25, 2024

Good morning,

 

The markets are higher to start the day with corn up 5 and soybeans up 7.

 

Futures have put together three consecutive days of higher trade. September futures have hung above the $4.00 mark for the last two days and should do so today barring any major selloff.

A few fundamental factors could be changing, which could cause greater price volatility in August than previously estimated. A warming forecast for the next two weeks could have the managed money crowd moving their short position.

 

The outlook for well above average summer heat is likely and it makes you ask the question about how the crop may finish out nationally. It will be interesting to see if the impending heat takes an edge off the corn yield with any late pollination and if soybeans can fill out pods. Precipitation is also split nearly down the center of the county with a dry Western belt and an average Eastern belt.

 

We have had reports in the last few days of new crop export sales for corn and soybeans to unknown destinations that has added some support to future contracts. New crop exports are on pace with last year’s numbers, but behind the 5-year average.

 

Old and new crop sales should be made on what I believe is a short-term bounce in the markets. We have failed to sustain our highs the last two days, which indicates the weakness in this rally.

 

Have a Safe Day!

 

Garry Gard

920-348-6844

ggard@didioninc.com

 

July 16, 2024

Good morning,

Corn is up 3 and soybeans are up 2 to open the day following yesterdays massive selloff in both commodities.

Last night’s storms in Northern IL may go down in history as one of the most prolific tornado producers in the Chicagoland area ever. At one time, there were 16 tornado storms as they approached the suburbs. The possible derecho started in central Iowa around 4 pm and is now approaching the Ohio River. The storm has lost its wind intensities, but there are still flood watches posted from the associated heavy rains. Damage reports are just coming in and it is hard at this time to determine if there was significant crop damage. Regardless of damage reports, it is not going to be in a large enough area to impact the markets.

Corn and soybean condition ratings were steady this week at 68% good/excellent each; the former remains above 57% last year and the 62% five-year average, with the latter ahead of 55% LY and the 60% 5YA.

Rains cover up the Southern US this week and there is no evidence of a dome in the Central US.  Some heavy rain fell overnight, mostly in Illinois.  When I look at the 15-day forecast the heat stays out west, leaving the east normal for temps.

 

Have a safe day!

 

Garry Gard

920-348-6844

ggard@didioninc.com

 

July 12, 2024

Good morning,

 

Corn is down 7 and soybeans are down 11 to start the day.

 

Its Friday and its REPORT Day! The USDA will release 2024 and 2025 carryout numbers as well as 2024 production numbers this morning at 11am. Based on recent and current forecasts for weather, things are shaping up to be good this year. While prices are depressed, producers are advised to get sales of old and new crops on the books as the future is not bright today.

 

 

Fridays USDA report estimates are listed below.

 

USDA 2023/24 US Carryout (billion bushels)

USDA July USDA June Average Trade Est.
Corn 1.877 2.022 2.049
Soybeans .345 .350 .355

 

 

USDA 2024 US Yield (bushels per acre)

USDA July USDA June Average Trade Est.
Corn 181.0 181.0 180.8
Soybeans 52.0 52.0 51.9

 

 

USDA 2024 Production (billion bushels)4.

USDA July USDA June Average Trade Est.
Corn 15.100 14.860 15.063
Soybeans 4.435 4.450 4.424

 

 

USDA 2024/25 US Carryout (billion bushels)

USDA July USDA June Average Trade Est.
Corn 2.097 2.102 2.312
Soybeans .435 .455 .449
Wheat .856 .758 .788

 

Check back at 11am for todays update.

 

Garry Gard

920-348-6844

ggard@didioninc.com

July 11, 2024

Good morning,

 

Corn and soybeans are both up 6 to start the day.

 

The markets have been tough lately from a producer’s perspective. As the crop marches forward and continues to look better and better, the markets seem to be weeks ahead and projecting a very big yield. Rains in the Midwest have the Funds convinced of above trendline yields and burdensome stocks coming this fall. With the funds position sitting at record short positions, it doesn’t appear that they are going to move things higher unless we harvest a significantly smaller crop. Unfortunately, if that does come to fruition, it won’t be seen in the markets until early Q1.

 

Corn condition ratings jumped to 68% G/E on Monday which was 6% above the five-year average and 13% above last year.

 

Demand for US corn has been lagging for some time and low prices are struggling to spark new demand. Corn demand this year is the 3rd largest over the past 5 years which isn’t terrible, but the markets perception is that it is going to get worse due to Chinese demand. China is far behind on purchases from the US.

 

Fridays USDA report estimates are listed below.

 

USDA 2023/24 US Carryout (billion bushels)

USDA July USDA June Average Trade Est.
Corn 2.022 2.049
Soybeans .350 .355

 

 

USDA 2024 US Yield (bushels per acre)

USDA July USDA June Average Trade Est.
Corn 181.0 180.8
Soybeans 52.0 51.9

 

 

USDA 2024 Production (billion bushels)

USDA July USDA June Average Trade Est.
Corn 14.860 15.063
Soybeans 4.450 4.424

 

 

USDA 2024/25 US Carryout (billion bushels)

USDA July USDA June Average Trade Est.
Corn 2.102 2.312
Soybeans .455 .449
Wheat .758 .788

 

If realized, the above numbers would most likely move the markets lower tomorrow. I would advise producers to get old crop sales and new crop sales on the books ahead of this report.

 

Garry Gard

920-348-6844

ggard@didioninc.com