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–5-17-12

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 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[…]

On The Money Grain Commentary 4-5-12

Corn Outlook:       Concerns about tight supplies and optimism of increasing demand from China are underpinning corn futures.  Meanwhile, export inspections were nothing to write home about at 30.9 MB and below the average needed to reach USDA’s projection of 1.7 MB.  Since December, shipments have been slipping and must rise 7.5 percent in order[…]

On The Money Grain Commentary 3-8-12

Corn Outlook:      Corn futures face crosscurrents from tight old crop stocks, uncertainty surrounding the Greek bond swap, slower growth in China, and expectations for increased U.S. plantings.  Since January, the bulls have held the upper hand building a long position.  Last week, the trend following funds bought 170 MB of corn increasing their longs[…]

On The Money Grain Commentary 2-9-12

Corn Outlook:      The upside momentum has waned in corn futures as the market has apparently reached a level of equilibrium that factors in production losses in South America.  Currently, Argentina’s production is forecast at 22.0 million tons, down 4.0 million from January.  Brazil’s crop is pegged at 61.0 million, unchanged from last month.  Meanwhile,[…]

On The Money Grain Commentary 1-12-12

Corn Outlook:       Corn futures rose sharply from mid December through early January amid concerns of dryness in South America and expectations that the January Crop Production and Supply-Demand report would be friendly.  Emotions soared that heat damage to early-planted corn in Argentina is irreversible.  Large traders turned bullish during this period, as the long[…]

On The Money Grain Commentary 12-8-11

Corn Outlook:      Grain futures are struggling amid uncertainty surrounding the European debt crisis and poor exports.  Currently, traders are unsure which way to turn going into the EU summit meeting on Thursday-Friday.  Anxiety is high as there are fifteen countries facing a potential credit rating downgrade.  The reality is there is no quick fix[…]