Strong Corn and Soybeans Sales

U.S. grain futures slipped lower over night with corn trading down 2 cents, soybeans off 2 cents, and Chicago wheat down 5 cents.

This morning’s export sales report showed strong sales for U.S. corn and soybeans while wheat missed expectations. Soybean sales were reported at 1.466 mill tonnes, just above the high end of expectations. China was the largest buying accounting for a third of reported sales while 1/3 went to “unknown destinations”. Corn sales were reported at 659,000 tonnes which was in-line with strong expectations for the week. Wheat sales came in below expectations at just 314,000 tonnes for the week. This was down 15% from the previous four week average.

Outside markets and currencies will be watching the Scottish independence vote today. Scotts will vote whether to separate from the United Kingdom and establish a sovereign state. Results will be tallied late this evening so any volatility will most likely be seen during Friday’s trade session. Most analysts agree that a strong knee-jerk reaction from equities and currencies is likely but the long term impacts should be minimum – regardless of the votes outcome.

Our weather models continue to show temperatures above normal through the end of September. Frost/freeze threat remains very low and will not be a supportive story in the grains for a couple more weeks.

—Cody Bills