Late-winter U.S. agriculture faces rapid swings: intermittent rain/snow, brisk post-frontal winds, and patchy frost from the Southeast to western valleys. Fieldwork windows are short and regional. Watch West Coast storm-track pulses, Gulf-front showers/storms, and Southern High Plains fire weather. Protect blooming crops and livestock; consult local NWS forecasts.
On-the-go soil sensors mounted on planters map soils in real time, calibrated with lab cores to guide variable-rate seeding, nitrogen, lime, and planter downforce. Fusing EC/EMI, vis–NIR, gamma, and compaction data improves input efficiency, yield stability, and sustainability, with payback in 1–3 seasons despite moisture, residue, and calibration challenges.
U.S. farm policy this week centers on securing funding, negotiating farm-nutrition packages, and clarifying environmental, water, and trade rules. Expect congressional oversight, draft text, USDA and EPA updates, and trade signals. Producers watch crop insurance, conservation enrollments, compliance guidance, biofuels incentives, and export data shaping risk management and planting decisions.
Wheat futures edged higher to around $5.06/bu after short-covering and spillover support from corn and soybeans, but prices remain under pressure from abundant global supplies and strong Russian exports. USDA estimates U.S. wheat production at 1.93B bushels with yields of 52.7 bpa, slightly above last year. Export sales reached 722,900 MT, near the top of expectations. Over the next week, futures are expected to trade between $4.95–$5.15, with favorable weather aiding harvest and global competition likely capping gains.
Soybean futures climbed to $10.56/bu, supported by strong export sales and localized crop stress reported by the Pro Farmer Crop Tour. USDA projects a 4.29B bushel crop with a record yield of 53.6 bpa, keeping overall supply ample despite regional dryness. Old-crop shipments remain strong, but new-crop export commitments lag amid uncertain Chinese demand. Over the next week, prices are expected to trade between $10.30–$10.70, with weather mostly favorable and final crop tour results likely to influence sentiment.
ICE cotton futures held steady, with December closing at 67.6¢/lb as USDA’s report projected 13.2M bales, the second-lowest U.S. crop in a decade. Despite reduced acreage, global supply remains ample due to strong Brazilian and Chinese output. U.S. export sales for 2024/25 are solid, but new-crop bookings lag. Crop conditions improved to 53% good-to-excellent, supporting yield prospects. Over the next week, prices are expected to hover between 66–69¢/lb, with weather favorable and global competition likely capping gains.
Corn futures edged up to $4.05/bu after earlier lows, but the market remains under pressure from USDA’s record crop forecast of 16.7B bushels and 188.8 bpa yield. Crop conditions are strong at 71% good-to-excellent, and early southern harvest adds supply pressure. Exports are up 28% YoY, though global competition persists. Over the next 7 days, prices may retest $3.75–$3.85, with weather mostly favorable and Pro Farmer Crop Tour results likely to influence sentiment.
Corn futures rose slightly on strong export sales to South Korea and Spain, while soybeans and wheat fell on technical selling and profit-taking. Argentina is expected to boost corn acreage by up to 20%, and Brazil is on track for a record soybean harvest of 6.23 billion bushels. Chicago and Kansas City wheat both posted modest losses. Broader ag indexes showed mixed results, with corn up and live cattle down. Global supply prospects and export activity remain the main drivers in the grain markets, keeping sentiment cautiously balanced despite short-term price swings.
Next week’s ag trade hinges on Pro Farmer Crop Tour (Aug 18–21), Monday Crop Progress, Thursday export sales, and weather outlooks. Corn: sideways to softer amid large U.S. supply unless tour/exports surprise; watch ethanol midweek. Soybeans: two-way with slight upside if pod counts or warm/dry maps hit; new-crop sales key. Wheat: rallies likely fade without export strength. Softs choppy; cattle supported but volatile, hogs track product values. Treat moves as headline- and weather-sensitive.