Market Wrap-Up

Grain markets are under pressure, but there are several factors to watch as traders sort through the latest headlines.

President Donald Trump announced a new $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief program to provide one-time payments to farmers facing higher input costs and market disruptions. USDA says payment rates for major commodity crops are expected in November, with additional program details to follow.

Crude oil prices have been volatile, adding another layer of uncertainty to the market outlook.

China is also back in focus. State-owned grain trader Sinograin reportedly sold 297,472 metric tons of older-crop soybeans from storage in its latest auction, about 60% of the volume offered. Meanwhile, soybean demand has shown signs of picking up following China’s week-long holiday, with export inspections coming in stronger than expected.

In the cattle market, attention remains on tighter supplies as traders look ahead to Friday’s USDA Cattle on Feed report. The report could provide additional insight into feedlot inventories and the supply outlook heading into the coming months.

Tuesday Market Wrap Up with Mike Zuzolo at Global Commodity Analytics

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Farm Rescue

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Hedge pressure is weighing on grain markets to start the week, with harvest progress and favorable weather expected to keep attention on the supply side. Mostly cooperative harvest conditions are forecast for this week, although rain chances return to the western Corn Belt this weekend.

Export inspections delivered a mixed picture for the week ended October 15. Corn inspections totaled just 26.47 million bushels, sharply below the low-end analyst estimate of 43.3 million bushels. It was the lowest weekly total since mid-October 2024.

Soybeans offered a brighter export picture, with inspections reaching 73.6 million bushels. That topped the high-end analyst estimate of 58.8 million bushels and marked the largest weekly total since December 2024.

As harvest advances, traders will continue watching export demand alongside weather conditions and selling pressure. Global food inflation is also becoming a growing concern, adding another factor to monitor as markets weigh demand and the broader economic outlook.

Monday Market Wrap Up with Jim McCormick at AgMarket.

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Farm Rescue

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Grain markets remain on the struggle bus as harvest pressure continues to build. Some traders are beginning to question whether there is more corn out in the fields than previously expected, adding to the pressure on prices.

Soybeans are getting some support from export demand, with additional sales to China announced this morning, along with a sale to an unknown destination. Japan also stepped in to purchase U.S. corn, offering a reminder that export demand remains an important factor to watch.

Meanwhile, cattle futures held onto gains as cash trade picked up momentum, providing some encouragement for the livestock market.

Friday Market Wrap Up with Kyle Bumsted at Allendale

Soybeans faced harvest pressure, with increased supplies weighing on the market despite renewed buying interest from China. However, strong domestic crush demand continues to offer underlying support, with soybean futures following price movement in the meal market more closely.

Corn also saw harvest pressure as producers brought more grain to market. At the same time, livestock producers are watching for opportunities to lock in feed costs at current price levels.

Cattle futures managed to finish in positive territory, recovering earlier-week losses as the market looked for renewed support.

Thursday Market Wrap Up with Sue Martin at Ag & Investment

We saw the soybean market trade a wide range and finish near the lows on Wednesday while corn and wheat were quietly mixed. Meantime, it was another down day for cattle and hog futures at midweek. Jim Emter with Van Ahn & Company joins us for a midweek recap in our Market Wrap-Up for Wednesday, October 14th, 2026. ***Always remember the risk of trading futures and options can be substantial.

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Farm Rescue

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A fairly mixed market trade seen on Tuesday across the grain and livestock markets. Mike Zuzolo with Global Commodity Analytics joins us for analysis and perspective in our Market Wrap-Up for Tuesday, October 13th, 2026.

Mentioned in this episode:

Farm Rescue

Support Farm Rescue today at farmrescue.org

Grain markets are still feeling the effects of Friday’s WASDE report, delivering what many traders called a “gut punch” to the corn market. As Monday’s trade wrapped up, the big question remained: Has corn found a bottom, or is more downside still ahead?

Meanwhile, Brazil is moving ahead at a record pace with soybean planting, marking the fastest start in four years and adding another factor for traders to watch.

With the government holiday delaying the weekly USDA Crop Progress report until Tuesday, attention turns to whether the latest numbers will bring any surprises for harvest progress and crop conditions. In the cattle market, producers are hoping cash trade can hold steady this week following recent market uncertainty.

Monday Market Wrap Up with Conner Bridgman at AgMarket

The October World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report delivered several surprises to the grain markets, led by a sharp increase in the U.S. corn yield forecast. Jeff Peterson with Heartland Farm Partners joined Susan Littlefield on the American Ag Network to break down the numbers and discuss what the updated supply-and-demand outlook means for producers.

USDA delivered another bearish surprise for the corn market, raising the 2026/27 U.S. corn yield forecast to 181.2 bushels per acre, well above the average trade expectation of 177.7 bushels. The larger yield estimate pushed projected production to 16.034 billion bushels, compared with the average estimate of 15.721 billion, sending corn futures sharply lower into midday. U.S. ending stocks are projected at 1.849 billion bushels, while USDA also increased corn demand estimates across the board. World corn stocks came in above even the highest trade estimate.

Soybeans also saw a higher yield projection, with USDA raising its 2026/27 forecast to 53.1 bushels per acre, above the average expectation of 52.8. The increase was more modest than the surprise in corn, but it adds to the focus on crop supplies and the potential impact on feed costs.

For livestock producers, the sharp move lower in corn raises an important question: Is this an opportunity to lock in some feed needs? Lower prices may offer a chance to manage input costs, but producers will want to weigh current price levels against their feed requirements, storage capacity and risk-management plans.

Friday Market Wrap Up with Mike Zuzolo at Global Commodity Analytics

We saw some harvest pressure and positioning ahead of Friday's WASDE report in the grain markets on Thursday. Darren Frye with Water Street Solutions joins us to discuss on our Market Wrap-Up for October 8th, 2026.