From eventful weather trends to looming tariff developments, there are a number of factors weighing on farmers as they hit the fields for Spring Planting.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities spoke with RFD-TV’s Tammi Arender on progress so far, the impact of tariffs, and big takeaways from the Quarterly Grain Stocks Report.
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China-led demand continues to anchor soybean and sorghum exports despite weekly swings.
Global pork production is expected to rise in the first half of 2026, despite trade volatility stemming from shifting import policies and swine disease pressures.
Economists are also closely watching how policy decisions in Washington could influence markets moving forward. Analysts say deferred futures for corn, soybeans, and wheat suggest markets are operating near break-even levels, not at prices that would encourage expanded production.
Strong rail demand and higher fuel costs raise transportation risk even as barge and export flows stabilize.
Traders say that shift could eventually prompt the USDA to scale back soybean export projections, noting the outlook differs greatly for other grain commodities.
Often overlooked, cotton wholesalers act as stabilizers during market stress, translating fragmented retail demand into workable production programs for mills and manufacturers.