Soybean futures prices aren’t “beans in the teens,” but they’re near levels that could create some marketing opportunities for growers.
- Mark Conlon
While other wheat and grain markets have seen some price volatility due to weather, planting progress and geopolitical issues, the durum market and prices have remained relatively flat.
- Mark Conlon
While ongoing supply disruptions due to the war in Iran and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz has caused crude oil and wheat prices to rise, the conflict has had less impact on the sunflower market comparatively.
- Mark Conlon
Volatile weather conditions have been making for some volatile swings in the wheat market this spring.
- Mark Conlon
As the 2026 corn crop is being planted, improving new crop corn futures prices are creating marketing opportunities for producers.
- By BARRY COLEMAN, Northern Canola Growers Association
The canola market continues to show strength recently as the market is said to be supported by higher crude oil prices and higher soybean oil prices, according to analysts. The current situation in the canola industry is increasing crush capacity along with record crush margins, increasing e…
- Mark Conlon
Although China is now receiving the 12 million metric tons (MMT) of U.S. soybeans they agreed to purchase last year and still intends to buy 25 MMT more per year for the next three years, the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a point of concern that could potentially disrupt trade tal…
- Mark Conlon
It’s been a relatively slow period for the durum market, which remains in pretty much the same position it’s been for the past several weeks. One change, however, is that durum prices and spring wheat prices are now nearly on equal footing as durum no longer enjoys much of a premium over spr…
- Mark Conlon
While other grain markets have been impacted by volatile world events, notably rising fuel and fertilizer costs, the U.S. sunflower market has been able to sidestep some of the turmoil in part because it is not as dependent on exports. The fact there’s less volatility for sunflower may entic…
- Mark Conlon
There are plenty of factors influencing the wheat market lately as evidenced by prices moving up, down, and back up again. The result is that prices are back to where they were earlier in April. The question is how will these factors continue to influence the market and for how long?
- Mark Conlon
The corn market is keeping an eye on a number of factors that can shift price movement quickly and that’s likely to continue, at least for the near term, and those are planting progress, the weather, and the war in Iran.
- By BARRY COLEMAN, Northern Canola Growers Association
The EPA’s recent release of strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements for 2026 and 2027 is expected to drive renewed demand for canola oil and was welcome news from the canola industry, as well as the entire oilseed sector.
- Mark Conlon
Soybean farmers in the U.S. are expected to plant more soybean acres this year compared to last, just as many in the trade anticipated. It’s just that the increase wasn’t as big as what they were expecting.
- Mark Conlon
Although USDA’s Prospective Planting Report indicated U.S. durum acreage would decline slightly this year, there wasn’t much price reaction within the market.
- Mark Conlon
There’s going to be more sunflowers planted in the Northern Plains in 2026, providing farmers follow through with their planned intentions as projected in the Prospective Planting Report, which was released on March 31.
- Mark Conlon
With the start of the Iran conflict in March, spring wheat, and a number of other commodities saw prices rally. Since then, however, prices have seen a slight correction lower.
- Mark Conlon
As anticipated, U.S. corn acreage in 2026 was projected lower when USDA released its Prospective Planting Report on March 31. But the bigger issue among many in the industry are rising fertilizer costs.
- By BARRY COLEMAN, Northern Canola Growers Association
Oilseed markets have been choppy in recent weeks as the market attempts to decipher potential biofuel policy announcements, and heightened energy and fertilizer price movements. There continues to be agreement that oilseed markets have increased significantly due to non-commodity factors whi…
- Mark Conlon
Soybean prices have been somewhat volatile as the rising tensions in the Middle East continue to cause havoc on crude oil prices which, in turn, influences many other commodity markets.
- Mark Conlon
While other grain commodities saw a hike in prices immediately after the start of the conflict in Iran with the U.S. and Israel, durum prices remained pretty much unchanged with $5.75 catching most bids with a few in that $6 range.
- Mark Conlon
Like all other grain commodity markets, the sunflower market was anxiously awaiting USDA’s Prospective Planting Report that came out March 31 when the agency released its first official planted acreage estimates. (For clarity, this article was written prior to the release of that report).
- Mark Conlon
Following the start of the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran in early March, spring wheat prices jumped up. Since then, however, prices have fallen into a sideways trading pattern.
- Mark Conlon
Like other commodity markets, the corn market is always looking for direction, and it’s getting it. The problem is the direction is coming from differing points.
- By BARRY COLEMAN, Northern Canola Growers Association
Oilseed markets continued to charge higher as of March 11 due to expectations that government biofuel policy will be favorable for agricultural feedstocks and rising petroleum prices. Market analysts seem to agree that the risk of volatility is extremely high in the agricultural markets with…
- Mark Conlon
There was a brief period after the start of the war with Iran when soybean prices rose quickly but soon dissipated, causing a lot of uncertainty and volatility in the soybean market as well as in other commodity markets.