Note: Due to Monday’s government holiday, export sales data for the week ended Nov. 7 will be published Friday morning.
Corn futures are 3 to 6 cents lower at midmorning.
· Corn futures are extending losses for the fourth straight session amid general selling across the grain and soy complexes and persisting U.S. dollar strength.
· Conab increased its Brazilian corn crop forecast by 70,000 MT to 119.81 MMT and left its 2024-25 corn export forecast at 34 MMT.
· Ethanol production averaged a record 1.113 million barrels per day (bpd) the week ended Nov. 8, up 8,000 bpd (0.7%) from last week and 6.3% from last year. Ethanol stocks increased 19,000 barrels to 22.039 million barrels.
· December corn futures dropped below the 10-day moving average of $4.23 3/4, with additional support now at the 20- and 40-day moving averages, each trading around $4.18. Resistance stands at $4.26 3/4.
Soybeans are 12 to 14 cents lower, while soymeal futures are around $4.00 lower. Soyoil is around 20 points lower.
· Soybean futures are lower with uncertainty surrounding Chinese relations and continued soymeal weakness pressuring prices.
· USDA reported daily soybean sales of 176,000 MT to unknown destinations for 2024-25.
· Conab increased its 2024-25 Brazil soybean crop forecast by 140,000 MT from last month to 166.14 MMT. Soybean plantings are expected to rise 2.6% to 47.35 million hectares, up from 47.33 million hectares expected last month. Despite the slightly bigger production forecast, Conab lowered its 2024-25 soybean export outlook to 105.47 MMT, down 70,000 MT from last month.
· January soybean futures fell below the 20-day moving average of $10.01 and psychological support at $10.00, with support now layered to the October low at $9.77 1/4. Initial resistance is at the 10-day moving average of $10.09 and is backed by $10.13.
Winter wheat futures are 5 to 8 cents lower while HRS are a penny to 5 cents lower.
· Wheat futures are lacking buyer interest amid ongoing U.S. dollar strength.
· Soft wheat seeded area in the European Union should rebound sharply planting weather improved during fall, consultancy Strategie Grains said. In initial projections for the 2025-26 crop, the firm estimated the area sown with soft wheat will rise 1 million hectares, or about 5%, from the 20.4 million hectares in 2024-25.
· Central U.S. crop areas will see another significant precip event Sunday into Tuesday of next week with HRW wheat areas impacted Sunday into Monday and the northeastern Plains and upper Midwest impacted Monday and Tuesday, according to World Weather Inc.
· December SRW futures have traded the lowest intraday level since Aug. 27. Support is now at $5.26 1/4, while resistance is at $5.42 1/2.
Live cattle are weaker, while feeders are firmer at midsession.
· Live cattle are modestly lower amid weakening technicals and cash fundamentals.
· Despite poor margins, packers’ inquiry into cash cattle increased Wednesday, stoking hopes for steady prices.
· Wholesale beef prices declined on Wednesday, with Choice falling $1.33 to $306.94 while Select dropped $1.26 to $278.66. Movement totaled 134 loads for the day.
· December live cattle have extended below support at $182.90, with the next area of strong support at $180.00. The 100-day moving average of $183.55 is resistance, with backing from the 200- and 10-day moving averages, trading around $184.51 and $184.57.
Hog futures are lower at midmorning.
· December hog futures are weaker, though technical support is limiting seller momentum.
· The CME lean hog index is up 6 cents to $89.94 as of Nov. 12, ending a three-day slide.
· The pork cutout declined 42 cents on Wednesday to $97.62 and fell $4.89 over the past week.
· December lean hogs are testing support around the 20-day moving average of $81.24, which is backed by Wednesday’s low of $80.775. Initial resistance stands at $82.34.