Iowa's corn yield potential set a new record high for the Pro Farmer Crop Tour while excessive June rains drove Minnesota's corn yield prospects to the lowest levels since 2012, scouts on an annual tour of top U.S. production states found on Thursday.

US crop tour finds record Iowa corn crop prospects; Minnesota sub-par

South Dakota, Ohio corn crops found better than 3-year average, tour finds
Corn yield prospects in both Ohio and South Dakota were below last year's findings, but higher than the three-year average, scouts on an annual tour of top U.S. production states found on Monday.

Comment: Weather awaits next trend
La Nina has departed, but timing of El Nino’s potential arrival remains unclear
Reuters – La Nina has officially fizzled after a near three-year stand, setting the stage for El Nino’s possible entrance later this year. The timing of that is not yet settled, but whether El Nino arrives by mid-year or later could have varying impacts for global crops. In mid-March, sea surface temperatures across the equatorial

Opinion: U.S. comes closer to losing corn export crown
Brazil is closer than ever to being the undisputed king of corn sales
Reuters – U.S. corn exports usually begin increasing in January as soybean shipments ease, but that upward trend has yet to emerge due to poor overseas sales. China is the missing ingredient for U.S. exporters. Robust bookings from the Asian country inflated U.S. corn exports in the prior two years despite high prices, which are

Opinion: January supply and demand numbers can be hit or miss
What happens to U.S. corn, soy yields in January, and can analysts nail them?
Reuters – Analysts underestimated U.S. corn and soybean yields ahead of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s November supply and demand update, though the increases from last month were slight and rumoured to be likely anyway. But the trade still needs to jump through the final hoop on 2022 yields in January, often challenging in the

Opinion: U.S. corn market share threatened by importers and fellow suppliers alike
Reuters – Logistical troubles and a poor 2022 crop have dampened early hopes for U.S. corn exporters, but recent global market developments could present longer-term, negative impacts on the traditional corn giant. The United States was once responsible for more than three-fourths of world corn exports, but that share has slipped to around 30 per

Comment: Ukraine’s grain exports, crop still must prove themselves
There’s potential for a lot of grain movement, but many risks remain
Reuters – The volume of grain Ukraine will have available for export over the coming year and whether those shipments can run smoothly remains to be seen, though optimism has increased with the first sea departure of a grain vessel since Russia’s invasion. Estimates across the industry vary on harvest potential, but there are suggestions,

China’s U.S. ag imports soar to new highs in 2022, but volumes vary
Naperville, Ill. | Reuters – China is on track to be the leading international buyer of U.S. agricultural products for a third consecutive year, as the total value of exported goods reached record levels in the first half of 2022. Some of that can be explained by increased trade volumes of certain items, particularly beef, but

Comment: Rains crucial for U.S. corn crop
Reuters – Despite a late start, the U.S. corn crop began the growing season in strong health, though that has since declined after several weeks of dry and sometimes hot weather. That does not necessarily mean analysts need to make drastic cuts to yield assumptions, though they might consider that if rains don’t arrive. The

Comment: Canada’s light canola acres deal another blow for tight vegoil market
It’s the latest supply constraint to face the global edible oil complex
Thinning vegetable oil supplies have driven global prices to record levels this year, so Canadian farmers’ intentions to cut canola plantings this spring are not among helpful remedies. Canada was a top contributor to the supply squeeze last year as severe drought cut canola output to a 14-year low. Canada is the top exporter of