After the Bell | June 16, 2022

Corn futures jump to four-week high amid concern over high Midwest temperatures; soybean and wheat also higher.

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

Corn: July corn futures rose 14 1/4 cents to $7.88 1/4, the contract’s highest closing price since May 17, while December corn rose 14 cents to $7.35. Prices climbed amid concern over extreme Midwest heat that may stress recently-planted crops. Temperatures climbed near 100 degrees Fahrenheit much of the region this week and another heat wave is coming next week.

Soybeans: July soybeans rose 15 3/4 cents to $17.09 1/2, while November soybeans rose 19 3/4 cents to $15.43 1/4. July soymeal surged $12.20 to $429.70. July soyoil fell 133 points to 76.34 cents, a two-month low. Soybeans were supported by corrective buying following declines the previous four sessions and concern that extreme heat in the Midwest could hamper crop development.

Wheat: July SRW wheat rose 28 1/4 cents to $10.78 1/4. July HRW wheat rose 15 1/4 cents to $11.48 1/2. July spring wheat rose 7 3/4 cents to $12.09. Wheat futures were lifted by solid gains in corn and sharp weakness in the U.S. dollar.

Cotton: July cotton rose 35 points to 143.53 cents and December cotton rose 131 points to 119.23 cents. Cotton futures rose as a sharp drop in the U.S. dollar overshadowed poor export numbers. USDA reported net U.S. cotton sales of 26,500 RB for 2021-22, down 86% from the prior four-week average and a marketing-year low.

Cattle: August live cattle fell 50 cents to $136.30. August feeders tumbled $1.975 to $171.30. Nearby live cattle were supported by cash strength and concern extreme heat in the Plains will tighten supplies of market-ready animals. Choice beef cutout values fell $1.02 early today to $267.20.

Hogs: July lean hogs surged $1.30 to $109.575, a two-week high. Futures rose behind cash and wholesale market strength, as pork cutout values jumped $5.57 to $111.36, led by a gain of over $10 in bellies. Movement was light at 208 loads. The CME Lean Hog index hit a 10-month high at $108.57 and is expected to rise another 18 cents Friday.