After the Bell | July 27, 2022

Soybean futures climb near four-week high on concern Midwest heat may curb yields; corn firm, wheat lower.

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

Corn: December corn rose 2 1/4 cents to $6.03, the contract’s highest closing price since $6.10 3/4 on July 18. Corn rose a third consecutive day on spillover support from gains in soybeans, which rallied on concern a return of extreme heat to the Midwest next week will harm yield potential.

Soybeans: November soybeans jumped 26 1/4 cents to $14.10, the contract’s highest close since June 30. September soymeal rose $11.00 to $446.00. September soyoil rallied 106 points to 59.85 cents. Soybeans gained a fourth straight day on concern heat and dryness forecast for the Midwest during the first 10 days of August may harm yield potential.

Wheat: September SRW wheat fell 13 1/2 cents to $7.90 1/4. September HRS futures fell 15 1/4 cents to $8.61 3/4. September spring wheat fell 18 3/4 cents to $9.10. Spring wheat led declines as the Wheat Quality Council’s annual crop tour projected above-average yields for North Dakota.

Cotton: December cotton futures rose 59 points to 95.07 cents per pound, the contract’s highest closing price since July 8. Cotton futures extended Tuesday’s gains with support from rallying crude oil and other outside markets, as well as weakness in the U.S. dollar.

Cattle: August live cattle fell 7.5 cents to $136.80, while October futures fell 5 cents to $142.325. August feeder cattle rose $1.675 to $179.10. Nearby live cattle fell slightly amid expectations the cash market will extend a three-week slide. Futures remained underpinned by signs domestic beef demand is holding up reasonably well despite widespread recession concerns.

Hogs: August lean hogs rose $1.625 to $118.60, while October futures surged $2.80 to $96.45, a three-month closing high. Strength in cash fundamentals continued to underpin futures. The CME lean hog index rose 35 cents to $119.48, the highest level since June 2021, and is expected to gain another 25 cents tomorrow. Pork cutout values rose 2 cents to $126.79 on light movement of about 218 loads.