Why exactly were soybeans bullish in January’s WASDE report?

This month’s WASDE report showed a bullish outlook on soybeans. USDA made cuts to both soybean and corn numbers and left the South American crop unchanged.

An economist says both marketplaces are uncertain with the news about the South American crop and the potential for trade wars with the incoming Administration. It is something that traders are watching, but they warn there are several other factors at play moving forward.

“This is something that we’ve got to keep an eye on, but the big questions remain, as I said with the corn, it’s the South American production. And then we do have to concern ourselves with risk to prices based off of any tariffs coming in with the new Presidency and potential trade wars,” said Greg McBride.

Also on everyone’s radar in the coming weeks is Brooke Rollins, President-elect Trump’s pick to lead USDA. Cabinet nominees have begun their confirmation hearings this week. So far, Rollins’ hearing has not been scheduled.

Related Stories
March pork gains lifted total meat production, but first-quarter output still ran below last year.
Weekly export movement stayed solid, with corn and sorghum continuing to show the strongest overall pace.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joins us to break down the latest USDA crop progress report, share insights from growers, and discuss how global factors are shaping planting decisions this season.
RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey spoke with the Texas Shrimp Association at the Port of Brownsville about the future of the USDA’s new Office of Seafood.
Higher cow numbers and slightly stronger output per cow pushed milk production above last year.
Food inflation is still building in 2026, with beef leading pressure while eggs and dairy offer some relief.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The failure of a grain elevator can cause large problems for farmers and for the local community it serves. A farmer who knows their rights and where they stand if an elevator fails can be in a better position than those farmers who aren’t as well informed. That is the topic of today’s blog post by RFD-TV Legal Contributor Roger A. McEowen.
Financial matters in farming can be frustratingly complicated, especially when it comes to the process of filing for bankruptcy. That is the topic tackled in today’s blog post by Farm-Legal Expert Roger A. McEowen—the definition of “insolvency” for purposes of the exclusion from income of CODI.
The “farm products rule,” and the 1985 Farm Bill modification and its application – that is the topic of today’s blog post from Agri-Legal Expert Roger McEowen.
Now that Washington lawmakers have passed a 45-day stopgap, they have some breathing room to work through some hot-button topics like the high cost of the upcoming Farm Bill, which is due in large part to the funding necessary to support the Nutrition Title.
A recent news story involving a group of farmers in Mississippi reveals the potential downside of selling grain under a deferred payment contract. The risk of deferred payment ag commodity sales and what can be done for protection—that is the topic of today’s blog post.