The uncertainties of the war with Iran and the turmoil it has caused in the world economy continues to impact grain commodity markets, including soybeans and corn.
- Mark Conlon
The overall world durum situation for 2026 looks pretty promising with production forecast to potentially reach a record 1.43 billion bushels. But with the anticipated large production looming, there hasn鈥檛 been much movement in the market.
- Mark Conlon
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) came out with its latest supply and demand report in mid-June, a report which was considered neutral by many traders.
- Mark Conlon
The 2026 wheat crop got off to a rough start with delayed planting in some regions due to wet conditions, while other areas experienced drought-like conditions. And then prices started a slow slide down.
- Mark Conlon
At this time of year, the corn market is worried about two crops 鈥 old and new crop corn 鈥 which tend to move in tandem. Unfortunately, both have been moving down in price lately.
- By BARRY COLEMAN, Northern Canola Growers Association
A recent update from the Energy Information Administration shows that the biofuel enthusiasm is picking up steam as 403 million pounds of canola oil was used for biofuel production in March, the most since December 2024. A total of 1.28 billion pounds of soybean oil was used, the most since …
- Mark Conlon
Soybean planting, like corn, is nearing completion, and the first crop ratings should start out strong, and seasonal pressure can come into play, also just like corn. But after that, soybeans are a little harder to explain.
- Mark Conlon
The start of the 2026 durum growing season in the region hasn鈥檛 been as smooth as hoped, and prospects of potentially large durum crops elsewhere have kept durum prices from moving higher.
- Mark Conlon
As the month of June began, U.S. sunflower producers were making excellent planting progress, and sunflower prices for both old and new crop were unchanged to up 25 cents per hundredweight.
- Mark Conlon
As May turned over into June and spring wheat planting was closing in on completion, the wheat market was looking at more volatility, which is not atypical.
- Mark Conlon
Corn planting is nearing completion, and so far, the crop is looking good, which is positive for producers, but a good-looking crop along with geopolitical issues are putting pressure on the market and prices.
- By BARRY COLEMAN, Northern Canola Growers Association
Canola planting progress has been near average in North Dakota and Montana, while progress in Canada is behind last year. Weekly crop progress reports show that canola planting progress in North Dakota was at 37 percent as of May 17, the same as last year but above the 5-year average of 28 p…
- Mark Conlon
Although there were no trade agreements actually signed between President Trump and President Xi of China when they met in Beijing in mid-May, the soybean market reacted positively to the meeting in which Xi indicated China would buy more soybeans from the U.S. in the future.
- Mark Conlon
There are a lot of unknowns in the current durum market and that鈥檚 contributing to prices being somewhat stagnant and even losing the premium to spring wheat in some locations.
- Mark Conlon
The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) reports released by USDA in mid-May gave the market the first look at global production, supply, and demand forecasts for the 2026-27 marketing year for several crops.
- Mark Conlon
The weather, a bullish report from USDA in mid-May, and news that China may commit to significant purchases of agricultural products have combined to give the wheat market a little spark and some added strength.
- Mark Conlon
Corn prices have been rising of late, but not because of anything happening in the corn market in particular. It鈥檚 because other commodities have been rising and corn has been tagging along.
- By BARRY COLEMAN, Northern Canola Growers Association
Canola prices have strengthened in the past two weeks, although recent prices have eased back in conjunction with the drop in crude oil prices. Private analysts continue to confirm their view of long-term support in the oilseed markets. Canola crush margins are at record levels with the oil …
- Mark Conlon
Soybean futures prices aren鈥檛 鈥渂eans in the teens,鈥 but they鈥檙e near levels that could create some marketing opportunities for growers.
- Mark Conlon
While other wheat and grain markets have seen some price volatility due to weather, planting progress and geopolitical issues, the durum market and prices have remained relatively flat.
- Mark Conlon
While ongoing supply disruptions due to the war in Iran and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz has caused crude oil and wheat prices to rise, the conflict has had less impact on the sunflower market comparatively.
- Mark Conlon
Volatile weather conditions have been making for some volatile swings in the wheat market this spring.
- Mark Conlon
As the 2026 corn crop is being planted, improving new crop corn futures prices are creating marketing opportunities for producers.
- By BARRY COLEMAN, Northern Canola Growers Association
The canola market continues to show strength recently as the market is said to be supported by higher crude oil prices and higher soybean oil prices, according to analysts. The current situation in the canola industry is increasing crush capacity along with record crush margins, increasing e…
- Mark Conlon
Although China is now receiving the 12 million metric tons (MMT) of U.S. soybeans they agreed to purchase last year and still intends to buy 25 MMT more per year for the next three years, the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a point of concern that could potentially disrupt trade tal…