After the Bell | August 3, 2022

Soybeans extend sharp slide on crude oil weakness, Midwest rain forecasts; winter wheat drops to six-month low.

Pro Farmer's After the Bell
Pro Farmer’s After the Bell
(Farm Journal)

Corn: December corn rose 2 cents to $5.96 1/4 after dropping earlier to $5.87 1/2, the lowest intraday price in over a week. Corn futures fell initially amid forecasts for rain in the Midwest this week and expectations for continued grain shipments out of Ukraine but rebounded behind late bargain-buying.

Soybeans: November soybeans fell 16 3/4 cents to $13.69 3/4, the contract’s lowest closing price since July 25. September soymeal fell $2.80 to $431.40 and September soyoil fell 51 points to 61.82 cents. Soybean futures erased overnight gains and fell a third consecutive session as crude oil tumbled to a six-month low and forecasts promised rain relief for parts of the Midwest.

Wheat: September SRW wheat fell 11 cents to $7.63 3/4, a six-month closing low. September HRW wheat fell 6 3/4 cents to $8.35 1/2. September spring wheat rose 2 cents to $8.75 1/4. Winter wheat extended this week’s sell-off on pressure from weakness in corn and soybean futures and easing supply concerns following the resumption of grain shipments from Ukraine.

Cotton: December cotton fell 38 points to 94.43 cents per pound. Cotton futures fell amid U.S. dollar strength and sharply lower crude oil prices, though selling was limited by rally in U.S. stocks.

Cattle: October live cattle rose $1.825 to $143.95, a three-month closing high. September feeder futures rose $1.45 to $182.90. Cattle futures surged behind signs this week’s cash trade may reverse a four-week slide. Initial cash prices this week were up as much as $3 from last week’s levels. Choice beef cutout values fell 52 cents to $267.94 on movement of 106 loads.

Hogs: August lean hogs rose $1.15 to $121.00, the highest close for a nearby contract since June 2021. October futures fell 37.5 cents to $95.85. Hogs ended mostly lower amid signs a recent cash market rally is fading. The CME lean hog index fell 30 cents to $121.57 (as of Aug. 1), and tomorrow’s quote is expected to fall 63 cents. Pork cutout values fell $5.53 to $125.49 on slower movement of 254 loads.