USDA Reports
U.S. ending stocks remain unchanged month-over-month while USDA adjusts global production estimates.
USDA is urging farmers to respond to 2026 acreage surveys as skepticism grows over recent corn acreage revisions. Officials say stronger participation is key to maintaining the accuracy and credibility of crop reports.
Confidence in USDA reports is wavering after recent acreage misses, leaving many producers and retailers skeptical. While experts call it the “best data available,” transparency is needed to restore industry trust.
Matt Bennett with AgMarket.Net says it was a money flow day as grains were influenced by the selloff in crude oil and the precious metal markets, plus the higher dollar.
With the lack of rebuilding the strong cattle market could be extended another year.
USDA’s annual report reveals the smallest total herd since 1951, with beef cow numbers falling to 27.6 million despite a slight uptick in replacement heifers.
Sam Hudson with Corn Belt Marketing says the grain markets all hit technical resistance on the charts and may have seen profit taking.
Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says he was concerned the trade might view a slightly bearish Cattle on Feed report placement number as a reason to sell but the market was more focused on the higher cash trade Friday.
Jerry Gulke, president of The Gulke Group, says the report provided some valuable lessons about marketing.
Shawn Hackett with Hackett Financial Advisors says with corn and soybean prices plunging at the beginning of the week in response to the bearish USDA report, the lower price levels stimulated end user buying.