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Grain Markets and Other Stuff

Grain Markets and Other Stuff

By: Joe Vaclavik
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Summary

Joe Vaclavik and Mackenzie Johnston discuss the grain markets, the business of farming, news related to agriculture, and a variety of other topics.

© 2026 Grain Markets and Other Stuff
Daily Economics Personal Finance Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Is China Backing Out?? Tough Talk on US Ag Purchases Following Blue Wave Election
    Nov 5 2026

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    Futures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

    🇨🇳 China says it’s open to buying more US farm goods, but only once the “$30 billion-for-$30 billion” tariff-cut deal is implemented. Beijing’s non-soybean ag purchases hit just $7.2 billion through September, the lowest for that period since 2019. 🤝🌾

    🛢️ WTI crude plunged 8.3% to $88.12, its lowest close since late August, on hopes for a US-Iran deal after Democrats took both chambers of Congress. Some analysts warn the selloff may be overdone, since neither side looks ready to make major concessions. 📉⚔️

    🌱 January soybeans fell nearly 12 cents to about $12.02, the lowest since mid-August, pressured by weaker crude and expectations for a massive US crop. December corn bounced 2 cents to $4.44 on oversold conditions, while wheat slipped on hopes for Russia-Ukraine peace talks. 🌽🌾

    🚜 John Deere will close its Ottumwa and Clarion, Iowa, factories and move sugar cane harvester production from Louisiana to Brazil. The restructuring comes just a week after Deere announced recalls and new hiring across several Midwest plants. 🏭🔄

    🏛️ The USDA and CFTC signed an MOU to strengthen oversight, share information, and expand risk management tools for farmers and ranchers. It follows the CFTC’s plan to publish Commitments of Traders reports twice a week starting in December. 📊🤠

    ⛽ US ethanol production hit 1.14 million barrels per day, the second-highest level on record and up 2.2% from the prior week. Ethanol margins strengthened across the Corn Belt, now running 30 to 70 cents per gallon positive. 💪🌽

    🇧🇷 Rabobank expects Brazilian soybean exports to dip to 113 MMT, with production forecast at 178 MMT amid rising costs, tight margins, and El Niño concerns. That’s well below the USDA’s forecast of a record 186 MMT Brazilian crop. 🌦️💸

    🇪🇸 USDA reported a flash sale of 167,000 MT (6 million bushels) of soybeans to Spain for 2026/27 delivery. Accumulated US soybean sales are now running 80% ahead of last year’s pace. 🚢📈

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    18 mins
  • Democrats Sweep: Will Farmers Still Get $8B in Aid? + MONSTER Corn/Soybean Crop Estimates
    Nov 4 2026

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    Futures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

    🗳️ Midterm Results: Democrats are projected to take control of both the House and Senate, flipping Senate seats in Iowa, Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas, plus governor’s races in Ohio and Texas. 📊 Grain markets are quiet this morning while stocks trade higher, and the recent $8 billion farmer relief package is safe since it was approved through the CCC without needing Congress. 💵

    🌽 StoneX Crop Forecast: StoneX raised its 2026 corn yield to 183.1 bpa (above USDA’s 181.2), pushing total production to 16.20 billion bushels, with Iowa leading at 216 bpa. 🫘 Soybean yield was bumped to 55.0 bpa vs. USDA’s 53.1, putting production at 4.73 billion bushels, led by Illinois at 68 bpa. 📈

    🏥 ACA Premiums: Obamacare marketplace premiums are expected to climb 13% in 2027 after a 26% jump this year, ranging from 3% in Vermont to 28% in Arizona. ⚠️ The expiration of enhanced tax credits means those earning over 400% of the federal poverty level now pay full price for coverage. 💸

    📉 Futures Recap: Dec26 corn fell about 6¢ to ~$4.43/bu, its lowest close since early July, as export sales run 34% behind last year’s pace. 🫘 Jan27 soybeans slipped 3¢ to $12.14/bu on big-crop expectations, while wheat also closed lower despite optimism over Russia-Ukraine peace talks. 🌾

    🚢 Flash Sales: USDA reported 315,000mt of corn sold to Mexico and 136,000mt to South Korea for 2026/27 delivery. 📦 Exporters also sold 134,000mt of soybeans to unknown destinations. 🌍

    🏭 ADM Earnings: ADM raised its profit outlook for the third straight quarter, with crushing profits soaring to $311 million from just $13 million a year ago. ⛽ The US-Iran war boosted crude prices and biofuel demand, and ADM now expects a ~$350 million benefit from the 45Z tax credit. 💰

    👨‍🌾 Farmer Sentiment: The Purdue/CME Ag Barometer rose to 126 in October, though only 62% of farmers report a strong balance sheet, down from 76% in January. 📉 Just 35% believe higher tariffs will strengthen the ag economy, down from 58% a year ago. 🇺🇸

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    18 mins
  • Did Trump FIX Soybeans?? Record Demand Projected, China Is Buying
    Nov 3 2026

    Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.com

    Grain Markets and Other Stuff Links —

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    Futures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

    🚢 Export Inspections: Soybean inspections stayed strong at 2.4mmt (90 mil bu), with year-to-date totals running 56% ahead of last year and China taking about 63% of the week’s volume. 📉 Corn rose 39% week-over-week to 884,766mt, while wheat posted an all-time record weekly low of just 75,413mt, down 61% from the prior week.

    💰 Flash Sales: Mexico bought 1.7mmt (68 mil bu) of US corn, split between 2026/27 and 2027/28 delivery. 🇨🇳 Exporters also sold 136,000mt (5 mil bu) of soybeans to China for 2026/27 delivery.

    🛢️ China’s Soybean Oil Glut: China’s soybean oil stocks climbed to a record near 1.5 million tons as crushing outpaces sluggish demand, pushing exports to more than triple from a year ago. 🤝 China’s lead trade negotiator also met with a US ag delegation Monday, as Chinese purchases of non-soybean US farm goods head toward a seven-year low.

    📊 Futures Recap: Jan soybeans dropped roughly 18¢ to $12.17/bu, their lowest close since mid-August, on falling crude, fund liquidation and strong yields. 🌽 Dec corn edged up a penny to $4.48/bu despite harvest pressure, and wheat closed slightly higher as Russia-Ukraine attacks dimmed hopes for a Black Sea shipping deal.

    🚜 Harvest Progress: Corn harvest jumped to 74% complete, just behind the 77% average, with delays persisting in South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa. 🌱 Soybeans reached 88% done (ahead of the 84% average), while winter wheat planting hit 83%, short of the 86% traders expected.

    🇧🇷 Brazil Planting: AgRural says Brazil’s soybean crop is 53% planted, ahead of last year’s 47% despite wet conditions in the south and dryness in the north. 🌽 Brazil’s first corn crop is 63% planted, also ahead of last year’s 59% pace.

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    15 mins
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