After the Bell | June 1, 2022

Corn futures plunge to nine-week lows as planting nears completion; wheat extends slump on hopes for Ukraine shipments.

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

Corn: July corn futures tumbled 22 1/4 cents to $7.31 1/4, the contract’s lowest close since April 1. December corn fell 20 cents to $6.91 1/2, also the lowest settlement since April 1. Corn futures sank to nine-week lows on spillover from a selloff in wheat, strong U.S. planting progress and a generally favorable weather outlook for crops.

Soybeans: July soybeans rose 7 cents to $16.90 1/4. July soymeal fell $2.10 to 412.70. July soyoil rose 19 points to 78.11 cents. Soybeans were supported by fresh export business and concern over delayed planting, particularly in the northern Midwest. USDA reported 66% of the soybean crop planted as of Sunday, up from 50% a week earlier and 1% behind the five-year average.

Wheat: July SRW wheat fell 46 1/4 cents to $10.41 1/4, the contract’s lowest closing price since April 7. July HRW wheat fell 37 1/4 cents to $11.28 1/4, a four-week low. July spring wheat plunged 50 1/2 cents to $11.97. Winter wheat futures extended Tuesday’s slump amid signs grain shipments from Ukraine may resume.

Cotton: July cotton fell 292 points to 136.06 cents per pound and new-crop December fell 402 points to 118.43 cents. USDA late Tuesday rated the U.S. cotton crop 44% good-to-excellent, higher than some expected considering extended drought in the Southwest.

Cattle: August live cattle rose $2.525 to $132.90. August feeder futures soared $4.60 to $169.725. Signs of fundamental firmness seemed to spur a rebound in cattle. Choice cutout values slipped 12 cents to $267.42 today, still near a five-week high. Movement was again strong at 146 loads. Cash cattle continued eroding, with live steers averaging about $135.00 through this morning.

Hogs: July lean hogs rallied $4.425 to $112.425, the contract’s highest settlement since April 28. Hog futures jumped sharply in a corrective rebound from Tuesday’s large declines, with strengthening cash fundamentals continuing to support prices. Pork cutout values rose $2.31 to $110.02, near a six-week high and led by a gain of nearly $14 in bellies. Movement totaled 293 loads.