Brownfield Ag News

This week Will and Ben check the pulse of trade and tariff discussions' impact on crop markets.

Market recap (changes on week as of Friday's close):

» May 2025 corn up $.07 at $4.60

» December 2025 corn up $.04 at $4.46

» May 2025 soybeans down $.46 at $9.77

» November 2025 soybeans down $.45 at $9.84

» May soybean oil up 0.68 cents at 45.84 cents/lb

» May soybean meal down $10.40 at $283.10/short ton

» May wheat up $.01 at $5.29

» July 2025 wheat flat at $5.42

» May 2025 cotton down 3.54 cents at 63.36 cents/lb

» December 2025 cotton down 3.93 cents at 66.16 cents/lb

» May 2025 rough rice down $0.44 at $13.075/cwt

» September 2025 rough rice down $0.405 at $13.350/cwt

» May WTI Crude Oil down $7.29 at $61.99/barrel

Weekly highlights:

U.S. job openings fell slightly in February to 7.6 million versus 7.7 million in January 2025 and down from expectations of 7.7 million. New openings have fallen steadily from the peak of 12 million in 2022.

The U.S. added a larger-than-expected 228,000 jobs in March- up from 117,000 in February and expectations of 140,000. The unemployment rate did tick higher to 4.2% vs 4.1% last month.

Energy stocks were mixed on the week. U.S. crude oil and distillate fuel stocks were higher 258.9 and 11.1 million gallons, respectively. U.S. gasoline stocks were down 65.1 million gallons. U.S. motor fuel demand was 2% week over week and down 4% from recent levels.

US ethanol production increased slightly to 313 million gallons produced- up from 310 million gallons. Ethanol stocks fell 31 million gallons.

Weekly export sales of 46.2, 15.1, and 12.5 million bushels were reported for corn, soybeans, and wheat, respectively. The wheat sales exceeded pre-report expectations. Rice export sales fell to 0.7 million cwt from 2.2 million the week prior.

Open interest in futures and options of grains and oilseeds was up 4.5% week over week. Producers and merchants increased their net short 8,959 contracts while money manager decreased their net short position 4,559 contracts.

Weekly grain and oilseed exports were mixed- corn and soybean export inspections of 62.3 and 29.6 million bushels, respectively were on the top end of expectations; while wheat inspections of 12.3 million were on the low end of pre-report expectations.

The first corn planting progress report of the year showed 2% of the nations corn had been planted- matching normal and pre-report expectations.

U.S. winter wheat conditions were 48% good to excellent- slightly higher than the 47% pre-report expectations. The crop was rated 56% good to excellent this time last year.

Topics:

» Market recap

» General tariff impacts

» Smoot Hawley Act of 1930

» China's retaliatory tariffs impact on soybeans

» Further acreage changes ahead of planting

» Rainy weather and wet conditions

» Reports to watch

Connect with Brownfield Ag News:

» Get the latest ag news: https://www.brownfieldagnews.com/

» Subscribe to Brownfield on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrownfieldAgNews

» Follow Brownfield on X (Twitter): https://x.com/brownfield

» Follow Brownfield on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrownfieldAgNews

About Brownfield Ag News:

Brownfield Ag News is your trusted source for reliable agriculture news, market trends, weather updates, and expert interviews. Get comprehensive coverage and stay ahead in the ever-evolving agriculture industry.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brownfield's Mark Dorenkamp provides coverage of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins' recent visit to Iowa. Secretary Rollins was the keynote speaker at the Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner, held in Ankeny, Iowa, and spoke to the Administration's support for biofuels.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brownfield Commodity Market Reporter John Perkins has your look at the higher starts in cattle, soybeans, corn, and wheat, and the mixed open for hogs.

What to watch:

» Soybeans and corn are up with the broader market.

» Wheat is supported by the USDA's winter wheat rating.

» Cattle are up with Monday's gain in beef.

» Hogs are mostly higher with pork up to start the week.

Connect with Brownfield Ag News:

» Get the latest ag news: https://www.brownfieldagnews.com/

» Subscribe to Brownfield on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrownfieldAgNews

» Follow Brownfield on X (Twitter): https://x.com/brownfield

» Follow Brownfield on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrownfieldAgNews

About Brownfield Ag News:

Brownfield Ag News is your trusted source for reliable agriculture news, market trends, weather updates, and expert interviews. Get comprehensive coverage and stay ahead in the ever-evolving agriculture industry.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A major infrastructure investment at the Port of Monroe will provide new avenues to export Michigan soybeans. In this Pods for Profit, we’ll hear from the Port Development Coordinator about how the build-out will better serve Michigan farmers and support specialized container shipping through the Great Lakes.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pooling resources can help state checkoffs stretch their dollars and reach larger audiences to help grow demand for beef. In this episode, Sydney Long, executive director of the Missouri Beef Industry Council, discusses the crucial role that partnerships play in increasing exposure to Missouri’s beef industry. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Agriculture Today, we’ll break down the national data from USDA’s first crop progress report of the season, we’ll also dive into a state-by-state break down of the crop progress reports and hear commentary from local farmers, we’ll also get updates on the fertilizer market and how the supply is looking this spring.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brownfield's Larry Lee visited with Chad Staudinger, of Dairyland Seed, at the WPS Farm Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brownfield Commodity Market Reporter John Perkins has your look at the losses in cattle and hogs, the gains in wheat, and the mixed closes for soybeans and corn.

Closing numbers:

» May corn $4.64 and ½ down $.04 and 1/4

» May soybeans $9.83 up $.06

» May soybean meal $288.40 up $5.30

» May soybean oil 45.15 down 69 points

» May Chicago wheat $5.36 and ½ up $.07 and 1/2

» June live cattle $194.17 down $4.02

» May lean hogs $84.07 down $1.05

Connect with Brownfield Ag News:

» Get the latest ag news: https://www.brownfieldagnews.com/

» Subscribe to Brownfield on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrownfieldAgNews

» Follow Brownfield on X (Twitter): https://x.com/brownfield

» Follow Brownfield on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrownfieldAgNews

About Brownfield Ag News:

Brownfield Ag News is your trusted source for reliable agriculture news, market trends, weather updates, and expert interviews. Get comprehensive coverage and stay ahead in the ever-evolving agriculture industry.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brownfield's Kellan Heavican visited with senior Evan Frink, of the Adams Central FFA Chapter, at the 97th Nebraska State FFA Convention in Lincoln, Nebraska.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen to Compeer's Economic Minute for clear, practical insights on the ag economy and the economic forces shaping your farm's future. Inflation and interest rates are shifting rapidly, and Compeer Agricultural Economist Dr. Megan Roberts delves into the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), which was introduced in legislation in March, as well as the USDA's planting intentions report from March 31st. Learn more about their impact on farmers' operations and how tariffs will affect the ag industry.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.