A slow weakening of the La Nina weather pattern is expected in January, but its influence on South American weather will likely continue without much change into at least mid-January.
Corn, soybean and wheat futures are higher to start the week although spring wheat futures are lower on profit taking. Livestock futures are also higher.
USDA estimates there were 11.985 million head of cattle in large feedlots (1,000-plus head) as of Dec. 1, down 51,000 head (0.4%) from both year-ago and the average pre-report estimate.
