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Welcome back to the channel!
In today’s update, we cover Trump’s comments on year-round E15, growing weakness in the U.S. dollar, 2026 acreage debates, heat stress in Argentina, fresh USDA flash sales, and China’s latest soybean buying behavior.

⛽🇺🇸 E15, Trump & The Fed
President Trump visited Iowa and said Congress is very close to approving year-round E15 sales
Comments come after the White House failed to include E15 language in the current funding bill. 
Trump declared the U.S. is entering a “golden age.”
He said a new Fed Chair announcement is coming soon and predicted significantly lower interest rates. 

💵📉 U.S. Dollar Breakdown
The dollar hit its weakest level in nearly four years. 
Pressure is coming from policy uncertainty, fiscal risks, and political polarization. 
Euro, yen, and Swiss franc are at multi-year highs. 
Emerging-market currencies are trading at record levels. 
Investors are paying record premiums to hedge against further dollar weakness. 

🌽🌱 2026 Acreage Debate
S&P Global estimates corn acreage at 95 million and soybeans at 84.5 million. 
Higher corn input costs and crop rotation favor soybean. 
China’s renewed soybean purchases add support to bean acres. 
NCGA projects an $180/acre loss for corn. 
Pro Farmer notes fertilizer already applied and historical trends could keep corn acres elevated. 
Crop insurance guarantees in February will be key. 

🔥🇦🇷 Argentina Weather Stress
Temps nearing 104°F across major growing regions. 
Limited rain until February raises yield risks. 
USDA estimates: 53 mmt corn, 48.5 mmt soybeans. 
Planting nearly complete, but pasture conditions are deteriorating. 
Meal markets remain quiet; bean oil strong amid biofuel sentiment. 

🚢📊 USDA Flash Sales
110,000 mt of corn sold to unknown destinations (2025/26)
306,000 mt of sorghum sold to unknown destinations (2025/26)
First U.S. sorghum flash sale since August 2024. 

🇨🇳🌎 China Soybean Buying
China booked at least 25 cargoes of Brazilian soybeans for Mar–Apr shipment. 
Brazil holds a strong price advantage over U.S. beans. 
China has now fulfilled its ~12 mmt U.S. purchase commitment. 
Recent U.S. buying appears obligation-driven, not structural. 
With large South American crops expected, China likely avoids U.S. beans until new crop this fall.