NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — The ag sector has now gone a whole month without harvest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the federal government shutdown continues. With combines finishing up in many regions, farmers are shifting their attention to transportation and storage decisions for the remainder of the season. Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report with the ag analyst perspective.
In his interview with RFD-TV News, Williamson said the post-harvest focus is shifting toward basis levels, grain movement, and storage costs as producers wait for updated federal reports to resume. He added that recent U.S.–China trade developments have provided a small lift for soy markets, though most traders are waiting for concrete purchase data before making major market moves.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week to accelerate domestic production of phosphorus and glyphosate, signaling that farm input availability is now treated as a national security risk.
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The global rice surplus outweighs tighter U.S. supplies, pressuring prices.
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A weaker dollar supports export demand and may strengthen crop prices.
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Smaller supplies could support cotton prices despite weak demand.
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Fred Nichols, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Huma, joined us with a sneak peek at Commodity Classic next week in San Antonio, Texas.
February 18, 2026 04:01 PM
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University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold discusses the ongoing measles outbreak in the United States and the importance of vaccination awareness on this week’s Rural Health Matters.
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