Latest News From First Thing Today

First Thing Today | Sept. 24, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 24, 2021

Rains have Argentine corn planting off to a quick start, but more needed. China the lead buyer of Australian wheat, despite tensions. Likely outcomes for key congressional issues.

First Thing Today | Sept. 23, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 23, 2021

Warm, dry fall and winter could lead to low water levels on the Missouri River. When will Senate vote on combined CR/debt suspension bill? China lowers sow herd target in five-year plan.

First Thing Today | Sept. 22, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 22, 2021

Hurricane Ida made a thin input supply situation worse. Fed focus is on taper timing amid mixed economic signals. CR with debt suspension bill clears House but expected to be defeated in Senate.

First Thing Today | Sept. 21, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 21, 2021

Cordonnier warns his U.S. corn & soybean yield forecasts may fall. Gulf terminals slowly coming back online. Inflation will continue to rise over the next two years. Cattle hold up well in the fact of economic jitters.

First Thing Today | Sept. 20, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 20, 2021

China’s wheat imports reach highest level in more than two decades. Russian wheat export prices climb for 10th consecutive week. Possibility of a debt default rattles the market.

First Thing Today | Sept. 17, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 17, 2021

Russia lowers tariff on wheat exports for first time in a month. Biofuel producers pushing for modeling change regarding SAF tax credit eligibility. Pork prices have turned up, but cash market remains under pressure.

First Thing Today | Sept. 16, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 16, 2021

Strategie Grains calling for tighter global wheat supplies. Business Roundtable sounds alarm on debt ceiling; Yellen calls McConnell. POET pledges its ethanol will reduce emissions at least 70% vs. gasoline by 2030.

First Thing Today | Sept. 15, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 15, 2021

Nicholas expected to stall over Louisiana, storms possible in the Ohio Valley. Another light NOPA crush expected to close out marketing year. Pork prices surge.

First Thing Today | Sept. 14, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 14, 2021

Cordonnier’s corn & bean crop forecasts edge higher. ABARES expects record-setting ag exports for Australia. Neiffer weighs in on proposed tax changes. Nearly 50% of U.S. offshore oil production remains out of service

First Thing Today | Sept. 13, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 13, 2021

Tropical storm headed for Texas, Typhoon to disrupt shipments out of key Chinese ports. Russian wheat export prices continue to climb. Four-page document includes details of $3.5 trillion reconciliation package

First Thing Today | Sept. 10, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 10, 2021

Bigger corn, soybean crop estimates expected. ADM expects to resume export loadings at two Louisiana terminals by month’s end. Russia again hikes tax on wheat exports. Lawmakers announce bill to restore beef MCOOL.

First Thing Today | Sept. 9, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 9, 2021

Hurricane Ida disrupting flow of grains, oilseeds to Asian buyers. Trucker strike in Brazil having limited impact on grain exports so far. Price pressures, slowing rate of growth in U.S. economy keys in Beige Book

First Thing Today | September 8, 2021
First Thing Today | September 8, 2021

Corn and soybeans recouped a portion of Tuesday's sharp losses in corrective trade overnight.

First Thing Today | Sept. 3, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 3, 2021

August jobs report on tap. StoneX raises U.S. corn and soybean yield forecasts after welcome rains. Russia has once more hiked its weekly tax on wheat exports. Manchin to Dems: Hit 'pause' on Biden's $3.5 trillion plan.

First Thing Today | Sept. 2, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 2, 2021

Storm damage, power outages keeping all southern Louisiana terminals closed. Argentine producers consider grain and cattle trade strike to protest restrictions on beef exports. Brazil investigating suspected BSE case.

First Thing Today | Sept. 1, 2021
First Thing Today | Sept. 1, 2021

Transportation expert comments on Hurricane Ida destruction. Russia could extend mineral extraction tax to fertilizer. Indian monsoon rains expected to pick up. Litigation, confusion follow overturning of water rule.

First Thing Today | Aug. 31, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 31, 2021

CHS says it could be up to a month before power restored at its Louisiana grain terminal. Consultant cuts Brazilian corn crop. Covid-19 hits China's service sector. Final U.S. military plane left Kabul.

First Thing Today | Aug. 30, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 30, 2021

More rain for northern areas of the Midwest, Ida causes limited crop damage. IKAR reports Russian wheat prices still climbing. The real price tag of “social” infrastructure measure.

First Thing Today | Aug. 27, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 27, 2021

More rain for the Midwest, Delta producers brace for Hurricane Ida. Big jump in Russian wheat export duty. Fed’s annual Jackson Hole Symposium underway. China’s pork imports will rise in 2022.

First Thing Today | Aug. 26, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 26, 2021

Light pressure on corn and soybeans, but wheat bounces back. Bipartisan House bill would promote ethanol use. Philippines approves Golden Rice for commercial use. Beef prices soften for second day in a row.

First Thing Today | Aug. 25, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 25, 2021

Another round of rain for dry areas of the Midwest. House approves budget resolution. Biden said he planned to stick to his Aug. 31 deadline for military withdrawal. Month-plus streak of beef gains comes to an end.

First Thing Today | Aug. 24, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 24, 2021

Corn, soybean CCI ratings continue to decline. Worries about what another La Nina-plagued growing season might mean for South America. Some Senate Republicans urge EPA to set 2021, 2022 RVOs below ethanol "blend wall."

First Thing Today | Aug. 23, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 23, 2021

Dry Northern Plains, western Corn Belt welcome rain. Reports signal EPA sending proposed RFS levels to OMB for review. Biden tries to limit political and real damage of Afghanistan withdrawal.

First Thing Today | Aug. 20, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 20, 2021

Highlights from Day 4 of our Crop Tour. Some rains fall in far western Corn Belt. Survey finds continuing strong rural economy. Choice beef takes out June highs.

First Thing Today | Aug. 19, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 19, 2021

Day 3 Crop Tour results. Much anticipated rains expected to move into Northern Plains today, Canada records first frost. Beef processing margins near $1,000/head.

First Thing Today | Aug. 18, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 18, 2021

Day 2 Crop Tour results. Rain still in the forecast for the Northern Plains, Canada’s Prairies. China’s YTD grain imports up sharply from 2020. FOMC minutes due to with focus on tapering discussion.

First Thing Today | Aug. 17, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 17, 2021

Day 1 Crop Tour results for South Dakota and Ohio. Biden defends withdrawal amid deadly chaos in Afghanistan. China’s sow herd contracts for first time in nearly two years.

First Thing Today | Aug. 16, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 16, 2021

Pro Farmer Crop Tour begins. Rain chances for the Midwest and Northern Plains later this week. Argentina reroutes funds to help with low water along the Parana River. Big jump for pork values on Friday.

First Thing Today | Aug. 13, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 13, 2021

Friendly USDA data lifts corn, soybean and wheat. Argentine exchange expects soybean plantings to slide for sixth year in a row. Moderate Democrats pressure Pelosi to take up physical infrastructure package.

First Thing Today | Aug. 12, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 12, 2021

USDA’s WASDE and Crop Production Report out at 11:00 a.m. CT. China trims soybean import projection for 2020-21. Low water levels on Parana River could get worse before it gets better.

First Thing Today | August 11, 2021
First Thing Today | August 11, 2021

Stifling summer heat stretches from coast to coast. Heat and dryness remain problematic in Canada. House to cut recess short, take up Democratic budget plan. Delta variant is threatening China’s economic recovery.

First Thing Today | August 10, 2021
First Thing Today | August 10, 2021

Cordonnier holds U.S. corn and soybean yield projections steady after recent rain. Senate Democrats on Monday unveiled a $3.5 trillion spending plan. Information regarding aid for contract hog producers could come soon

First Thing Today | Aug. 9, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 9, 2021

Commodity trade keeping an eye on tumbling crude oil futures. Weekend rains lighter than expected for much of the western Corn Belt. Sanderson Farms announces $4.53 billion sale to Continental Grain.

First Thing Today | Aug. 6, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 6, 2021

July jobs update awaited. Temp swings stressing Argentine wheat, but not enough to lower crop prospects. China to release reserves of commodities ‘essential for livelihood,' takes more steps to control hog supply.

First Thing Today | Aug. 5, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 5, 2021

Global food prices dip in July. Shipping container rates soar. A top Federal Reserve official said higher interest rates could come as soon as early 2023. Boxed beef prices still roaring higher.

First Thing Today | Aug. 4, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 4, 2021

Diminished rain chances for the Corn Belt over the weekend, but rain possible mid-month. StoneX’s U.S. corn crop forecast well under USDA’s. China to probe fertilizer firms.

First Thing Today | Aug. 3, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 3, 2021

Cordonnier sticks with U.S. yield pegs, but anxious about dry northwest Corn Belt. Frost shrinks Brazil’s winter wheat crop. Egypt to raise subsidized bread prices. ASF spreading across the Dominican Republic.

First Thing Today | Aug. 2, 2021
First Thing Today | Aug. 2, 2021

Wheat rallying to kick off August. Dry start to August, but temperatures not expected to be threatening. Big slowdown in soybean crush expected. Republican senators seek meeting with Biden on biofuels.

First Thing Today | July 30, 2021
First Thing Today | July 30, 2021

Profit-taking moved in overnight. Spring wheat tour confirms heavy toll of drought. China to suspend some fertilizer exports. Pork and cash hog prices fall.

First Thing Today | July 29, 2021
First Thing Today | July 29, 2021

Second day of spring wheat tour finds even lower yields. Bunge CEO optimistic Chinese demand for corn is here to stay. USDA confirms ASF in Dominican Republic.

First Thing Today | July 28, 2021
First Thing Today | July 28, 2021

Excessive heat continues for central U.S.; severe weather possible. Day 1 of spring wheat tour calculates a sub-30 bpa yield. Fed meeting ends today. CDC urges masks indoors for everyone in areas of surging cases.

First Thing Today | July 27, 2021
First Thing Today | July 27, 2021

Markets bounce as crop condition ratings slide. Sultry weather grips Northern Plains and western Corn Belt. Latest WHIP+/ag disaster bill authorizes up to $8.5 billion for eligible 2020 and 2021 disasters.

First Thing Today | July 26, 2021

Hot, dry week likely for much of the Midwest & Plains. Low Parana River water levels likely to get worse before they get better. Vilsack predicts moderation in food inflation. Friendly cattle reports may boost futures.

First Thing Today | July 23, 2021
First Thing Today | July 23, 2021

Evening weather update calls for less Midwest rain. French wheat crop ratings dip again, with heavy rains eroding crop prospects. Chinese soybean imports could slow 2H of 2021. Taper talk at the Fed.

First Thing Today | July 22, 2021
First Thing Today | July 22, 2021

Profit-taking overnight. Industry still trying to get a handle on Canada’s wheat and canola crops. Central China is dealing with floods. FTC adopts policy statement to take on ‘right to repair.'

First Thing Today | July 21, 2021
First Thing Today | July 21, 2021

A high pressure ridge could lead to more drying in western Corn Belt, Northern Plains. USDA isn’t the only one missing the mark on Canada’s wheat crop. Odds are low for a proposed bill to end corn-ethanol mandate.

First Thing Today | July 20, 2021
First Thing Today | July 20, 2021

Grain and soy futures rallied overnight amid a concerning forecast for some areas and lower-than-expected corn and spring wheat condition ratings.

First Thing Today | July 19, 2021
First Thing Today | July 19, 2021

Spring wheat still soaring amid weather woes, with the warm dry forecast for the western Corn Belt concerning. China’s grain imports are still soaring. Its Sichuan province reported ASF in illegally transported piglets

First Thing Today | July 16, 2021
First Thing Today | July 16, 2021

Extreme heat coming for spring wheat country. Brazil’s corn contract washouts could be the highest since 2016. Xi raises food security to national security concern. Germany confirms its first cases of ASF in farm pigs.

First Thing Today | July 15, 2021
First Thing Today | July 15, 2021

Another slowdown in crush expected for June, with export sales also out today. Low water levels on Argentina’s Parana River still causing headaches. Chinese pork production hits seven-year high in Q2