Brokers on the floor used to execute trades in person, but for one trading firm, the USDA’s WASDE report from July brought back those memories. Betsy Jibben with Ag Market Consulting takes us behind the scenes on report day with AgMarket.net.
What is WASDE?
WASDE stands for World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. It’s a monthly report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and it’s one of the most influential reports in global agriculture. It’s released around the 10th or 12th of each month.
What It Does
The WASDE report provides comprehensive forecasts and analysis of supply and demand for:
- Major U.S. and global crops (like corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, etc.)
- Livestock and dairy
- Trade and ending stocks (what’s left over after usage and exports)
Why It Matters
- Traders, farmers, agribusinesses, and policymakers utilize it to inform their decisions.
- It impacts commodity prices immediately after release, especially if there are surprises.
- It also sets expectations for production, consumption, and export trends.
Related Stories
In a post to social media, Trump said Venezuela will buy American agriculture products and will use the money from oil sales to make it happen.
Farmer Bridge payments are being used primarily to reduce debt and protect cash flow, not drive new spending. Curt Blades with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers joined us to provide insight into the ag equipment market and the factors influencing sales.
Rail strength is helping stabilize grain movement, but river and export slowdowns continue to limit overall logistics momentum.
Retail pricing confirms tight cattle supplies and supports continued leverage for producers, reinforcing the need for disciplined risk management.
Tennessee Rep. John Rose joined us to pay tribute to his friend and colleague, Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a true Champion of Rural America.
China continues to buy U.S. soybeans toward its 12 MMT commitment, as analysts cite data gaps, delivery timing questions, and muted market reaction.
