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Grain Markets and Other Stuff

Joe Vaclavik
Grain Markets and Other Stuff
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  • Iowa Politicians Want "Absentee Landlords" to Pay Higher Taxes
    Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links-Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.🇺🇸 Iowa Farmland ControversyIowa Auditor and gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand is backing a plan to raise taxes on out-of-state property owners — including farmland. Sand argues it would help make land more affordable for Iowans and preserve state culture.👉 Iowa State University’s 2022 data shows half of Iowa farmland is owned by non-farmers, and a quarter of 2022 land sales were investment-driven. Two of the top 10 landowners in Iowa are based out of state.🌱 Market UpdateSoybeans led Monday’s rally—Jan 26, up 13¢ to $11.30/bu—as optimism grows that the government shutdown may end and exports to China may pick up.Corn gained nearly 3¢ to $4.30, and Chicago wheat rose 8¢ to $5.36.📊 Traders are eyeing possible yield cuts in Friday’s USDA Crop Production and WASDE reports.🚢 Export InspectionsUSDA data showed 1.1mmt of soybeans inspected for export last week—up 11% from the prior week but down 54% from last year.🇨🇳 China was absent from the market.Corn: 1.4mmt (strong vs. last year)Wheat: 290kmt (weaker week-over-week)🥩 Tyson Foods OutlookTyson Foods expects 2026 profits to hold steady despite ongoing beef segment losses from high cattle prices.🐄 The US cow herd is at a 70-year low, and rebuilding may take until 2028.🍗 Stronger demand for chicken and processed products is helping offset beef weakness.President Trump recently urged the DOJ to investigate major packers — including Tyson — over alleged price manipulation.🇧🇷 Brazil Weather & PlantingBrazil’s soybean planting reached 61%, up 14% from the week prior but behind last year’s 67%.🌦️ Irregular rainfall continues to slow progress.Corn planting is 72% complete, in line with 2024.
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  • Trump $2,000 Stimulus, 50Yr Mortgages, Inflation, and Grain Prices
    Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links-Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.✅ Today’s Focus: Trump’s $2,000 Tariff Dividend & Inflation Risks📊 💰 Economic & Policy UpdatesPresident Trump announced plans for a $2,000 “tariff dividend” to most Americans. He said the payout would exclude high-income earners and be funded by tariff revenue, which he also pledged to use toward the $37 trillion national debt. Any such payments would likely need congressional approval.Scott Bessent later clarified that support could come in other forms, such as tax cuts. Meanwhile, Trump’s team is pushing for a 50-year fixed-rate mortgage program, both moves viewed as potentially inflationary.🥩 🐄 Meatpackers Under FireTrump accused major meatpacking companies of manipulating beef prices and urged the Justice Department to investigate. Beef prices remain high as the US cattle herd sits at its smallest size in 74 years. The Meat Institute defended the industry, citing transparency and oversight, while USDA data shows packers facing steep losses expected to continue into next year.🍔 🏢 Texas Roadhouse OutlookTexas Roadhouse expects commodity costs to rise 6% in 2025 and 7% in 2026, driven by higher beef prices. Commodity inflation reached 7.9% in Q3, but the chain offset pressure through 1.7% menu price hikes and strong customer traffic. Same-store sales rose 6.1%, beating forecasts.🌏 🇨🇳 China Trade DevelopmentsChina will reinstate soybean import licenses for CHS, Louis Dreyfus, and EGT on Nov. 10, easing tensions after a recent Trump–Xi trade truce. The move follows tariff cuts and limited US grain purchases. Still, traders remain cautious about China’s follow-through on purchase commitments.🌾 📈 Fund Position EstimatesPrivate data (amid the government shutdown) suggest:Corn: net short 40–60KSoybeans: net long 100–150KSRW Wheat: net short 50–80KFunds were net buyers of 7K soybean contracts last week and ended the week flat in corn. The Senate moved closer to ending the shutdown after a bipartisan vote on Sunday.⛽ 🧪 Biofuel Waiver RulingsThe EPA granted biofuel blending exemptions to HF Sinclair and Phillips 66, while Chevron was denied. The waivers apply to blending obligations from 2021–2023 and were issued for economic hardship. Biofuel producers warned the move could undermine renewable fuel demand and add market uncertainty.
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  • Soybean Prices TANK Because China Isn't Buying Enough + SCOTUS/Tariffs
    Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links-Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.🌱 Welcome back to Grain Markets & Other Stuff!Today’s update dives into a sharp selloff in soybeans, trade developments with China, and a closer look at shifting global dynamics affecting U.S. ag markets.🌾 Soybean Market DropSoybean futures plunged Thursday, with the Jan26 contract down nearly 27¢ to around $11.08/bu. The slide followed China’s limited U.S. soybean purchases, despite last week’s trade truce. China suspended certain retaliatory tariffs but kept a 13% duty on soybeans. Wheat also fell sharply, while corn saw modest losses. 📉🇨🇳 China Trade UpdateCOFCO hosted a soybean procurement signing ceremony in Shanghai — but details remain vague. The U.S. claims China agreed to buy 12 MMT by January and 25 MMT annually thereafter, yet China hasn’t confirmed those volumes. Traders are growing skeptical after repeated “confirmations” without firm numbers.⚖️ SCOTUS & Trump’s TariffsThe Supreme Court is reviewing whether President Trump’s sweeping tariffs are constitutional. Justices questioned if the IEEPA law gives authority to impose tariffs — it doesn’t mention “tariff” or “duty.” A ruling against Trump could partially invalidate some tariffs, though he may pivot to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 or the Trade Act of 1974.🇦🇷 Argentina Crop ProgressSoybean planting in Argentina is off to a strong start 🌦️. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange reports 4.4% planted (of 43 M acres) and projects a 48.5 MMT crop. Corn planting is 36% complete, with 58 MMT expected. Late frosts caused minor damage in southern areas.🌧️ US Drought MonitorRecent rains improved drought in KY, OH, and parts of IL, IN, and MO. Conditions worsened slightly in MN and IA.Corn: 30%Soybeans: 32%Winter Wheat: 38%Spring Wheat: 17%Cattle: 26%💼 Jobs & MarketsPrivate data showed 153,074 job cuts last month—triple Oct 2024’s figure. Tech and warehousing led the declines. The Nasdaq fell 1.9%, the S&P 500 –1.1%, and the Dow –0.8%. The 10-year yield slipped to 4.09%, and traders now price a greater 60% chance of a December Fed rate cut.(⚠️ Note: These job numbers are private data; BLS data remains paused amid the government shutdown.)
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  • China Buys US Wheat/Sorghum + USDA's Corn Yield # is Too High
    Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links-Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.Welcome back! Here’s what’s moving the markets this week 👇🌾 China Steps Back Into U.S. Grain MarketsReuters reports China purchased two cargoes of U.S. wheat — one soft white and one spring wheat — plus at least one shipment of U.S. sorghum. Futures for SRW and HRW hit fresh 3-month highs on the news.💼 Tariff Rollbacks from BeijingChina’s Finance Ministry says retaliatory tariffs (up to 15%) on U.S. ag products will be lifted November 10.That includes corn, wheat, and sorghum, though U.S. soybeans still face a 13% import tax, keeping them pricier than Brazilian supplies. Traders say major Chinese buyers are showing new interest in U.S. wheat.🌽 Corn Harvest & YieldsCorn yields are mixed across the Corn Belt—strong in Minnesota and South Dakota but lower in Illinois and Iowa.Wyffels Hybrids averaged 241 bpa across 724 plots (vs. 247 last year).Many still expect near-record crops, but yield chatter is closer to 178–179 bpa, well below USDA’s 186.7 bpa.🍶 Ethanol Sets a New RecordU.S. ethanol output hit 1.12 million barrels/day, the highest ever.Stocks: 22.66 million barrelsMargins: +15 ¢ to +35 ¢ across the Corn Belt (Reuters data)Strong corn grind and robust demand continue to support prices.🌱 Brazil’s Fertilizer GambleBrazil Potash Corp. is investing $2.5 billion in an Amazon potash mine, aiming for self-sufficiency by 2030.Currently 90% of fertilizer imports come from Russia — a huge risk.Chinese investors are reportedly eyeing future supply deals tied to crop exports.🐄 Cattle Market MeltdownCattle futures collapsed to limit-down levels Wednesday.Despite Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins confirming the U.S.–Mexico border remains closed to feeder imports, her mention that Trump wants to reopen it added to panic.Even with strong fundamentals — record-low cow herd, solid beef demand — government price-control talk has shattered trader confidence.
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  • Big Farm Aid Next?? $12B Rumor and Why Farmers Still Support Trump
    Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links-Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.💰 Farm Aid UpdateThe Trump administration still plans to deliver additional farm aid once the shutdown ends—reportedly up to $12B to offset trade-war impacts. USDA Deputy Secretary Vaden says the final total could shift depending on the China-deal market response, but the aid won’t be replaced by the truce framework.This program would look a lot like Trump's first-term MFP rollout.Meanwhile, inflation remains a thorn in the side of producers. And betting markets think the shutdown wraps late next week.🏭 ADM Outlook CutADM just trimmed its 2025 profit outlook. Weak soybean crush, soft ethanol margins, and China trade uncertainty are dragging earnings.CEO Juan Luciano says markets need clearer China trade policy + biofuel rules—both delayed by the shutdown.ADM's Q3 profit fell ~19%.💵 King Dollar FlexesRisk-off vibes Tuesday pushed the dollar higher—four-month highs vs. the euro. Markets are suddenly less confident in a December rate cut (65% vs. 94% last week). Stocks slipped, safe havens bid.🌽🚜 Farmer Sentiment ReboundsThe Purdue/CME Ag Barometer up to 129 in October.Livestock still outshines crops—cattle profits remain massive.58% say tariffs will strengthen US ag, while uncertainty lingers for others.Importantly, this data came before the US-China “trade truce” news.📊 Barometer graphics below.🐂 Mexican Cattle Border Still ClosedSec. Brooke Rollins says not yet on reopening the border to Mexican feeder cattle.Screwworm containment is improving, but the USDA is still cautious—price pressure in beef is not part of the decision, per Rollins.📏 S&P Global Crop EstimatesS&P holding steady:🌽 Corn yield ~185.5 bpa, crop ~16.8B bu🌱 Soybeans ~53 bpa, crop ~4.26B bu
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About Grain Markets and Other Stuff

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