On The Money Grain Commentary–6-14-12

Corn Outlook:      If you were expecting a thrill from the supply-demand report, keep looking because none was found.  The USDA left 2012-13 ending stocks of corn unchanged at 1.881 BB.  Traders were expecting a reduction.  USDA is waiting until after the grain stocks and acreage report on June 29th before making any changes to[…]

On The Money Grain Commentary 6-7-12

Corn Outlook:      The corn crop is off to a good start with a rating of 72 percent in good-to-excellent condition, unchanged from last week.  Weather is expected to be dry heading into the weekend but, unless Mother Nature changes her mind, a record yield may be in the making.  Last week, traders feared that[…]

On The Money Grain Commentary 5-31-12

Corn Outlook:       Macroeconomic issues are weighing on corn values even though recent dry conditions have caused the ratings to slip.  Currently, 72 percent of the crop is in good-to-excellent condition, down 5 points from the previous week.  Illinois and Indiana were down 13 percent and 14 percent respectively.  Normally, the market would bounce from[…]

On The Money Grain Commentary 5-24-12

Corn Outlook:      Corn values rose 12.6 percent from their lows made earlier this month on the coattails of the surge in wheat.  However, since then, the market has turned stone cold, as growing conditions are favorable in most of the Midwest.  Meanwhile, there are rumors of China switching old crop corn purchases to new[…]

On The Money Grain Commentary–5-17-12

Corn Outlook:       Corn futures have rebounded after shaking off USDA’s bearish report last week.  While old crop stocks remain tight, end users are now looking ahead at the potential increase in supplies and early harvest this fall.  Planting is progressing at blazing speed and 87 percent complete compared to 56 percent a year ago[…]

On The Money Grain Commentary 5-10-12

Expectations for increased production and an early harvest is pressuring new crop corn while reducing concerns of tight old crop stocks.  Planting is progressing swiftly at 71 percent complete compared to 47 percent for the norm.  Many of the major producing states are running 40 percent ahead of their average.  The first glimpse of USDA’s[…]

On The Money Grain Commentary 5-3-12

Corn Outlook:       Racing at the Kentucky Derby may be the best way to illustrate corn planting.  A couple of weeks ago, Iowa was 7 percent behind its average but, as of last week, they surged 18 percent ahead while Illinois and Indiana are up 50 percent.  Nationwide, planting is 53 percent complete compared to[…]

On The Money Grain Commentary 4-26-12

Corn Outlook:      Corn planting is progressing at breakneck speed in the eastern Corn Belt but lags in the west because of wet conditions.  Overall, twenty-eight percent of the crop is in the ground compared to the average of 15 percent.  Illinois is 42 percent ahead of its average while Iowa lags by 7 percent. […]

On The Money Grain Commentary 4-19-12

Corn Outlook:      Improving weather in the Midwest during the past couple of weeks and rapid planting progress has dampened bullish enthusiasm in corn.  This is apparent by the long position of the trend following funds falling 45 MB to 650 MB, while the longs of the index funds are down 20 MB to 1.995[…]

On The Money Grain Commentary 4-12-12

Corn Outlook:      The bulls were silenced when USDA left 2011-12 ending stocks of corn unchanged from March at 801 MB.  Traders expected a reduction of 70-80 MB because of the decline in the grain stocks report last month.  However, supplies remain tight as world stocks fell 1.4 percent with stocks-to-usage in the lower third[…]