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0:00 South American Crop Prospects
5:55 Drought in Cattle Country
7:48 US Dollar and Commodities
9:41 Bitcoin and Mystery Buyer(s)

🌱 Brazilian Soybean and Corn Planting Ahead of Last Year's Pace
Soybean planting in Brazil is progressing faster than last year. By last Thursday, 67% of the soybean area was planted, compared to 61% at the same time last year. AgRural reports that planting is moving smoothly across most of Brazil, with only a few areas affected by limited rainfall. First corn planting in Brazil is also ahead of schedule at 72% planted, although slightly below last year’s 76%. 

🌱 Argentine Soybean Planting
Argentina’s soybean planting is expected to continue at a brisk pace, supported by recent rainfall across the country. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange reports 8% of the anticipated soybean acreage has been planted, with 2.1 million acres planted over the past week. The forecast indicates hot and dry weather conditions in the coming days, which should allow for continued planting progress.

🐄 US Cattle Herd Expansion Impacted by Drought
US cattle herd rebuilding has slowed due to the persistence of drought in key cattle-producing regions. While many expected the herd to expand following spring moisture, 50% of US cattle are currently located in drought-stricken areas. This has kept producers from holding back bred females for expansion. Beef prices are surging to historic highs, driven by limited cattle supplies.

💵 Dollar Strengthens Post-Trump Victory
The US dollar has surged following Donald Trump's presidential victory. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index gained 0.7% to its highest level since November 2023. Expectations that Trump's trade policies would strengthen the dollar have been a key driver, alongside the quarter-point rate cut from the Federal Reserve last week. The yen and euro both saw declines against the dollar. With Trump’s proposed policies, the dollar could continue to appreciate, especially with trade war concerns.

💰 Bitcoin Sets New Highs, Eyes $100,000
Bitcoin reached a new all-time high on Monday, surpassing $88,000. There is growing speculation that it could hit $100,000 by the end of the year, partly driven by Trump’s victory and the rise in CME futures trading for Bitcoin. Although Trump’s potential focus on cryptocurrencies is uncertain, the recent surge in Bitcoin’s price is a key development for traders in the space.

Conclusion:
The Brazilian and Argentine planting seasons are progressing positively, which may affect global soybean supply. US cattle producers are facing challenges with expanding their herds due to drought, driving beef prices higher. The US Dollar and Bitcoin markets are reacting strongly to Trump’s victory, signaling potential continued volatility and growth in these assets. The agricultural market continues to respond to weather patterns and trade policy developments, with implications for both global grain production and US livestock markets. Stay tuned as these market developments unfold!