This edition of the *Closing Market Report*, hosted by Todd Gleason, covers commodity market movements, Illinois crop prospects, and global agricultural weather. Sherman Newlin of Zaner Ag Hedge reviews the findings from the Pro Farmer Crop Tour, discussing observed crop stress, shorter ear lengths, and market reactions to reduced yield estimates in Illinois and Indiana. Following a brief announcement for an upcoming FarmDoc webinar on farmland values, cash rents, and energy leases, University of Illinois agronomist Giovani Preza Fontes examines corn development, explaining that despite widespread "tip back," adequate soil moisture and favorable grain-filling conditions keep USDA's 212-bushel-per-acre projection attainable. Finally, Mark Russo of EverStream Analytics provides an ag weather outlook, forecasting drier, seasonal conditions across the Corn Belt, subdued Atlantic hurricane activity due to a strong El Niño, and critical moisture trends across the U.S. Plains, Europe, and Brazil.

01:00 Ag Markets with Sherman Newlin, Zaner Ag Hedge
08:52 WEBINAR PROMO | Rents and Prices Outlook: Results from a Mid-Year Survey
10:27 Corn Prospects in Illinois on Track with USDA
18:34 Ag Weather with Mark Russo, EverStream Analytics

The Pro Farmer national yield predictions released today present a sharply mixed outlook for this year's harvest, diverging significantly from recent USDA estimates. Pro Farmer pegs the national corn yield at just 173.2 bushels to the acre—down sharply from the USDA’s 180.7 estimate—driven primarily by lower ear counts and persistent nutrient loss across the rain-soaked eastern corn belt. Conversely, they project a record-breaking soybean crop at 53.3 bushels to the acre, supported by impressive pod counts and sufficient moisture to finish the crop out strong. Market analysts anticipate this divergence will prompt a bullish reaction in corn and pressure soybean prices, particularly as the trade looks ahead to critical late-September trade negotiations between the US and China. In the livestock sector, a newly announced plan to import 300,000 metric tons of African beef is expected to heavily pressure domestic cattle prices heading into the fall. Fortunately for Midwest row crops, the weather pattern is finally shifting toward a drier, sunnier trend that will provide the essential growing degree days needed to finish the season.

00:40 Ag Markets with Mike Zuzolo, GlobalCommResearch.com
07:29 Pro Farmer 173.2 Corn / 53.3 Soybean
12:41 Ag Weather with Eric Snodgrass, Nutrien Ag Solutions

The August 20, 2026, Closing Market Report highlights critical observations from the Pro Farmer Crop Tour, revealing significant regional crop yield discrepancies across the Midwest. Market analysts Matt Bennett, Oliver Sloup, and Sherman Newlin confirm that while eastern Iowa and Minnesota project strong corn yields, excessive moisture in Illinois and drought conditions in western Iowa will likely necessitate downward revisions to current USDA estimates for those states. Despite localized nitrogen loss and lower ear counts in the eastern Corn Belt, Bennett anticipates upward adjustments to national soybean yields due to favorable late-season finishing conditions. Meteorologist Mike Tannura forecasts a generalized drying trend and normalized temperatures moving into September, indicating that late-season weather variables will have a diminishing impact on final production numbers.

02:07 Ag Markets with Matt Bennett, AgMarket.net
07:18 Pro Farmer Crop Tour with Oliver Sloup and Sherman Newlin
07:28 Crop Tour Update from Corn Belt Garden Spot
12:32 Crop Tour Update from Western Iowa and Minnesota
20:11 Ag Weather with Mike Tannura, Tstorm.net

This August 19, 2026, broadcast of the Closing Market Report, hosted by Todd Gleason, provides a comprehensive update on agricultural commodities, field conditions, and global weather impacts. In the opening segment, Greg Johnson of Total Grain Marketing discusses recent fluctuations in corn and soybean prices, noting how farmer selling behaviors and the critical wild card of Chinese export purchases are influencing the market. Next, field scouts Sherman Newlin and Oliver Sloup share on-the-ground insights from the Pro Farmer Crop Tour in Iowa and Illinois, respectively, with both reporting underwhelming corn and soybean yields stemming from early-season weather stress and wet springs. Finally, meteorologist Drew Lerner highlights extreme global weather events—including severe flooding in the Philippines and historic drought in France—while emphasizing the U.S. Midwest's immediate need for warmer, drier conditions to support late-season crop maturation.

00:36 Ag Markets with Greg Johnson, Total Grain Marketing
08:31 Pro Farmer Crop Tour | Iowa and Illinois
14:45 Ag Weather with Drew Lerner, World Weather Inc.

The August 18, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report, hosted by Todd Gleason, provides a comprehensive update on agricultural commodity markets, ongoing crop assessments, global energy supplies, and regional weather trends. Naomi Blohm of Total Farm Marketing breaks down recent grain price movements, noting technical resistance, profit-taking in corn and soybeans, and international supply dynamics from Southeast Asia to the Black Sea. Pro Farmer Tour crop scouts Sherman Newlin and Oliver Sloup report day-two findings from the western and eastern legs of the Pro Farmer Crop Tour across South Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, and Indiana, detailing the effects of severe field moisture, variable plant populations, and disease pressure on yield expectations. Dave Chatterton of Strategic Farm Marketing analyzes agricultural energies, highlighting the market impact of expired diplomatic agreements, Middle Eastern shipping disruptions, and multi-decade lows in global distillate stocks ahead of the North American fall harvest. Finally, Don Day of Day Weather reviews the active thunderstorm pattern moving across the Midwest, forecasting a gradual moderation in rain intensity alongside cooler overnight temperatures in the weeks ahead.

01:18 Ag Markets with Naomi Blohm, Total Farm Marketing
07:25 Pro Farmer Crop Tour | Nebraska, Ohio, and Indiana
15:53 Ag Energies with Dave Chatterton, Strategic Farm Marketing
20:22 Ag Weather with Don Day, Day Weather

The August 17, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report details current developments in agricultural markets, industry operations, and agronomic conditions. Economist Matt Maltzbarger outlines how elevated nitrogen costs and a forecasted Super El Niño are influencing the 2027 corn and soybean crop rotation strategies for producers. In industry news, Tyson Foods announced the closure of its Joslin, Illinois, meat packing plant due to excess capacity and tight cattle supplies, while Senate Agriculture Committee progress on the farm bill remains stalled over SNAP penalty disputes. Field observations from Sherman Newlin on the western leg of the Pro Farmer Crop Tour indicate significant drought stress and reduced yield estimates for corn and soybeans in South Dakota. Concluding the broadcast, meteorologist Mark Russo notes an upcoming reprieve from heavy rains across the Eastern Corn Belt and forecasts a shift toward cooler, wetter conditions in Europe that may aid winter crop preparations.

02:21 Ag Markets with Bob Maltzbarger, University of Missouri
10:51 Tyson Foods Closes Joslin, IL Packing Plant
14:09 Pro Farmer Crop Tour | South Dakota
17:35 Ag Weather with Mark Russo, EverStream Analytics

The August 14, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report, hosted by Todd Gleason, provides a comprehensive overview of agricultural commodity markets, crop progress, and weather forecasts. Market analyst Mike Zuzolo highlights that wheat and crude oil are currently leading the commodity markets, driven by a combination of geopolitical tensions and supply-demand fundamentals. Extension Agronomist Giovani Preza Fontes details the Illinois corn crop's progression through the critical grain fill stage, noting that while record yields are unlikely, the crop remains strong and stands to benefit from recent rains if followed by sunny, warm days. Finally, meteorologist Eric Snodgrass discusses the heavy rainfall and severe storms currently impacting the Eastern corn belt, warning that a rapidly developing El Niño could result in a wet fall harvest domestically and delay the start of the planting season in South America.

01:13 Ag Markets with Mike Zuzolo, GlobalCommResearch.com
08:17 Grain Fill, Overnite Temps, and Rainfall
14:07 Ag Weather with Eric Snodgrass, NutrienAgSolutions.com

The August 13, 2026, broadcast of the Closing Market Report examines recent commodity market trends, edge-of-field conservation technologies, and weather-related crop stress. Dave Chatterton analyzes the corn market's response to lower-than-expected USDA yield estimates, highlighting the negative impact of sustained high overnight temperatures on grain fill and competitive pressures from Argentine exports. Rabin Bhattarai outlines the mechanics and environmental benefits of woodchip bioreactors and drainage water management systems, which mitigate nitrate runoff and optimize field water retention. Finally, meteorologist Mike Tannura discusses the agronomic effects of current weather patterns, emphasizing that while recent rainfall has been largely adequate, unusually warm overnight temperatures are significantly reducing crop productivity across the Corn Belt.

01:47 Dave Chatterton, Strategic Farm Marketing
08:08 Two Edge of Field Conservation Practices
16:13 Ag Weather with Mike Tannura, Tstorm.net

The August 12, 2026, broadcast of the Closing Market Report, hosted by Todd Gleason, provides a comprehensive overview of the latest USDA crop production numbers and global agricultural weather. Greg Johnson of Total Grain Marketing joins the program to analyze the market's reaction to the USDA data, noting that unexpected increases in corn and soybean planted acres were offset by lowered yield estimates, resulting in tighter ending stocks and a boost to prices. Following this market breakdown, meteorologist Drew Lerner from World Weather Inc. outlines the weather landscape, detailing recent severe storm impacts in the Midwest, ongoing dryness in parts of the U.S. and Western Europe, and generally favorable crop conditions across the Black Sea region and China.

01:11 USDA Report Numbers in Review
03:36 Ag Markets with Greg Johnson, Total Grain Marketing
13:56 Edge of Field Conservation Practices Field Day in Cisco Tomorrow
14:39 Ag Weather with Drew Lerner, World Weather Inc.

The August 11, 2026 edition of the Closing Market Report, hosted by Todd Gleason for Illinois Public Media, opens with market commentary and a preview of the upcoming USDA WASDE and crop production reports featuring Naomi Blohm of Total Farm Marketing. Blohm highlights expectations for corn and soybean yield figures, technical trading trends, and broader market drivers such as European drought conditions and energy sector influences. Following a review of the latest USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report—which notes steady national development alongside accelerated progress in Minnesota—Gleason previews an upcoming insect management plot tour with extension entomologist Nick Seiter.

The program then features Dr. Adam Davis, head of the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois College of ACES, who discusses the 150th anniversary of the Morrow Plots. Davis details the historical significance of the world's second-oldest experimental agricultural field, key long-term findings on soil management and crop rotation, recent site revitalization efforts, public celebration plans for October 28, and the introduction of the new Alma Mater plots. Closing out the broadcast, meteorologist Don Day of Day Weather reports from the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, detailing a "ring of fire" weather pattern across the Corn Belt that brings heat, muggy nights, and heavy localized rainfall, while analyzing how a strong El Niño could influence the upcoming harvest season.

• 02:00 Ag Markets with Naomi Blohm, Total Farm Marketing
• 12:05 Insect Management Plot Tour Tomorrow
• 12:54 150th Anniversary of the Morrow Plots
• 17:21 Ag Weather with Don Day, Day Weather