Agriculture News
Cotton futures hit contract highs as short covering lifted prices, but weak demand and rising costs are keeping profitability out of reach. Texas Tech’s Darren Hudson breaks down what it means for growers heading into 2026.
No changes to U.S. carryout for corn, wheat or soybeans
Fertilizer prices were already elevated, but they’re now surging just weeks before spring planting. What can be done to ease costs in the short term as well as fix the problem for good?
No changes were made to the U.S. wheat and corn balance sheets, while a 5-million-bu. increase in soybean imports was offset by a 5-million-bu. increase in crush. Corn, soybean and cotton world ending stocks were each higher than respective pre-report estimates.
A wet, active weather pattern across the Eastern Corn Belt could delay early planting this spring. Meteorologist Matt Griffin says repeated rain events through March and April may keep fields too saturated for fieldwork east of Iowa.
South American corn and soybean production estimates will be closely watched
Grains rally as crude oil soars above $100 a barrel
Bloomberg Spot Commodity Index surpasses 2022 peak as energy markets soar
The situation in Iran drove fertilizer prices higher this week while raising shortage fears. Analysts warn higher input costs could shift up to 1 million 1.5 million acres from corn to soybeans this spring.
USDA is urging farmers to respond to 2026 acreage surveys as skepticism grows over recent corn acreage revisions. Officials say stronger participation is key to maintaining the accuracy and credibility of crop reports.