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6-10 End of Day: Markets Sharply Mixed to Begin the Week

All prices as of 2:00 pm Central Time

Corn
JUL ’24 451.75 3
DEC ’24 468.25 1
DEC ’25 480 0.5
Soybeans
JUL ’24 1188.25 9
NOV ’24 1158.75 1
NOV ’25 1146.5 0
Chicago Wheat
JUL ’24 607.5 -20
SEP ’24 630.75 -18.5
JUL ’25 686.75 -14.75
K.C. Wheat
JUL ’24 643.75 -22
SEP ’24 656.5 -22.5
JUL ’25 685 -19.75
Mpls Wheat
JUL ’24 675.25 -19.25
SEP ’24 684.5 -19
SEP ’25 702.75 -11.75
S&P 500
SEP ’24 5427 7.5
Crude Oil
AUG ’24 77.44 2.22
Gold
AUG ’24 2328.1 3.1

Grain Market Highlights

  • Despite the strong selloff in the wheat market, the corn market held its own and closed with minor gains as traders begin to square positions ahead of Wednesday’s USDA WASDE report and on a potentially hot and dry forecast.
  • Although soybean export inspections came in weak, healthy gains in soybean meal helped to support soybeans throughout the day, with bull spreading noted between old crop and new crop.
  • The wheat complex continued to slide with sharp double-digit losses across all three classes. Contributing to the negativity were lower Russian export values, decreased Matif wheat prices, and Turkey’s ban on wheat imports.
  • To see the updated US 7-day precipitation forecast and updated US 6-10 and 8-14 day Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks, courtesy of NOAA, the Weather Prediction Center, scroll down to the other Charts/Weather section.

Note – For the best viewing experience, some Grain Market Insider content is best viewed with your phone held horizontally.

Corn

Action Plan: Corn

Calls

2023

No New Action

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

Cash

2023

No New Action

2024

No New Action

2025

Active

Sell DEC ’25 Cash

Puts

2023

No New Action

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

Corn Action Plan Summary

As July ’24 corn rallied beyond the congestion range on the front-month continuous charts, it began showing signs of being overbought, suggesting potential resistance to higher prices. Although managed funds have covered a portion of their net short position, their remaining net short position could provide fuel for a more substantial upside move as we transition into the growing season. While obstacles persist for higher prices, weather is still a dominant feature, and seasonal tendencies remain positive.

  • No new action is recommended for 2023 corn. Given the recent weakness in the July ’24 contract, and that we are at the time of year when the perception of any improving weather can move prices lower very quickly, we recently employed our Plan B stop strategy and recommended making additional sales. Although the technical picture could look better, weather remains a dominant factor and could still move prices back higher if conditions deteriorate. Therefore, we are currently targeting the 480 – 520 range versus July ’24 to make what will likely be our final sales recommendation for the 2023 crop.
  • No new action is recommended for 2024 corn. After the Dec ’24 contract posted a bearish key reversal in mid-May, we implemented our Plan B stop strategy and advised making additional sales considering we are in the time of year when changes in weather, actual or perceived, can move the market swiftly in either direction. Also considering the volatility that this time of year can bring, our current strategy is to have several targets in place to provide both upside coverage as well as downside. While targeting 520 – 540 to recommend additional sales versus Dec ’24, we are targeting the 510 – 520 area to buy puts on any production that cannot be priced ahead of harvest. We are also targeting a close below 451 in Dec ’24 to buy upside calls for their value to protect any existing or future new crop sales.
  • Grain Market Insider sees a continued opportunity to sell a portion of your anticipated 2025 corn production. We had been targeting a fill of the price gap between 502 ½ and 504 on the Dec ’25 futures to recommend making the first sale for the 2025 crop. When looking at this target area, we also set a calendar deadline which it needed to be hit by, as we know we need to utilize the opportunities the growing season presents to get early sales on the books. The deadline we set was by the June 4 close. If Dec ’25 did not fill that gap by that day’s close, then we would proceed with making a sales recommendation at the going market price. This Plan A (upside) / Plan B (calendar deadline) duo looks to capitalize on rally opportunities, while simultaneously making sure bushels get sold in case the market falls short of upside target areas. Therefore, Plan B has officially triggered so we are recommending today to get started with selling a portion of your 2025 production on an HTA contract so basis can be set at a later, more advantageous time. Grain Market Insider will likely have two more recommendations over the course of this growing season to get additional sales made for the 2025 crop.

To date, Grain Market Insider has issued the following corn recommendations:

Market Notes: Corn

  • The corn market finished with marginal gains to start the week as the market held firm against a strong selloff in wheat and likely was squaring positions before Wednesday’s USDA WASDE report and the potential for a hot forecast.
  • Weather models are predicting above normal temperatures to move into the Corn Belt into late June. Early indications are for the heat to be joined by an active rainfall pattern. The key for the market will be the extent of the heat and does the moisture stay in the forecast going into July.
  • Managed money has been extending their short position in the corn market. On Friday’s Commitment of Traders report, funds were net sellers of 79,229 corn contracts to move their net short positions to 212,706 short positions. 
  • The USDA will release the latest Crop Progress report this afternoon. Expectations are for corn planting to reach 96% complete. The focus will be crop conditions, as the corn crop is expected to be 74% good/excellent, down 1% from last week.
  • Weekly export inspections remain strong for US corn. Last week, US exporters shipped 52.7 mb (1.340 mmt) of corn, down slightly from the prior week. Total inspections for the marketing year have reached 1.540 billion bushels, up 26% from last year.

Above: Corn Managed Money Funds net position as of Tuesday, June 4. Net position in Green versus price in Red. Managers net sold 79,229 contracts between May 29 – June 4, bringing their total position to a net short 212,706 contracts.

Soybeans

Action Plan: Soybeans

Calls

2023

No New Action

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

Cash

2023

No New Action

2024

Active

Sell NOV ’24 Cash

2025

No New Action

Puts

2023

No New Action

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

Soybeans Action Plan Summary

After rallying out of its previous congestion range in early May on planting concerns, the soybean market has been rangebound, capped overhead by resistance around 1250 with support below the market near 1200 for much of May. To start June, soybean prices have broken underlying support and look poised to test the recent lows which sit near the 1150 level on the July chart. With much of the growing season in front of the market a weather-related issue or surge in currently poor demand appear to be the most likely catalysts to push prices back near their recent highs.

  • No new action is recommended for 2023 soybeans. We are currently targeting a rebound to the 1275 – 1325 area versus July ’24 futures for what will likely be our final sales recommendation for the 2023 crop. If you need to move inventory for cash or logistics reasons, consider re-owning any sold bushels with September call options.  
  • Grain Market Insider sees a continued opportunity to sell a portion of your 2024 soybean crop. Since peaking in May, the market has broken through 100-day moving average support (1180-81) and retraced over 50% back towards the April low. This suggests that our Plan A upside targets are now less likely to be achieved and prices could trend lower. Considering this and the currently weak demand picture, Grain Market Insider is implementing a Plan B Stop strategy to recommend beginning to market your 2024 soybean crop by making sales at these still elevated prices.
  • No Action is currently recommended for 2025 Soybeans. We currently aren’t considering any recommendations at this time for the 2025 crop that will be planted next year, and it may be some time before conditions are conducive to consider making any recommendations. Be patient as we monitor the markets for signs of improvement.

To date, Grain Market Insider has issued the following soybean recommendations:

Market Notes: Soybeans

  • Soybeans ended the day higher to start the week but were heavily bull spread with the July contract gaining 9 cents, while the November contract gained only one cent, likely indicating that the trade is expecting a large upcoming soybean crop. Soybean meal led the complex higher today with the July contract gaining 2.02%, while soybean oil was mixed with gains in the two front months but losses in the deferred contracts.
  • This week’s Export Inspections report was relatively soft with soybean inspections totaling 8.5 mb for the week ending June 6. Total inspections for 23/24 now total 1.490 billion bushels which is down 17% from the previous year. With export sales poor in general, there is a possibility that the USDA will lower exports in Wednesday’s WASDE report.
  • Today, the USDA will release its first crop ratings for soybeans in the Crop Progress report. Trade estimates have an average guess of 72% good to excellent with the high end of guesses at 75%. 89% of the crop is expected to be planted, which would compare to 78% last week.
  • Friday’s CFTC report showed funds as aggressive sellers in the soy complex adding 45,523 contracts to their short position as of June 4, leaving them net short 59,741 contracts. Funds were heavy sellers across the entire ag complex last week.

Above: Following the June 3 close below the 100-day moving average, July soybeans pierced the 1192 – 1146 support area. Should this area hold, and prices recover, they could then test the 1190 – 1200 area on their way toward recent highs near 1260.

Above: Soybean Managed Money Funds net position as of Tuesday, June 4. Net position in Green versus price in Red. Money Managers net sold 49,523 contracts between May 29 – June 4, bringing their total position to a net short 59,741 contracts.

Wheat

Market Notes: Wheat

  • Wheat closed sharply lower across all three US classes. Continued pressure is coming from Paris milling wheat futures, which have closed lower for the sixth consecutive session. The recent sharp rise in the US Dollar Index is also offering weakness, as is the recent news that Turkey will ban wheat imports until October 15. Additionally, Russian FOB export values are said to be dropping, ending last week at $242 per mt compared with $248 the week prior. 
  • Weekly wheat inspections as of June 6 totaled 12.9 million bushels, with 11 million bushels for the 24/25 season. This puts 24/25 inspections down 7% from last year. However, the USDA estimates that 24/25 wheat exports will increase by 8% from the previous year to 775 mb.
  • Friday’s CFTC data indicated that, as of last Tuesday, managed funds added only 8,000 contracts to their net short in the wheat complex, indicating that the recent selloff was likely not driven by fund selling.
  • This Wednesday will feature the monthly USDA Supply and Demand report. There is anticipation that they will lower the Russian crop to between 82-84 mmt, compared with 88 mmt a month ago. Additionally, Sov Econ reduced their estimate of the Russian crop to 80.7 mmt last week, down significantly from their early season estimate of 94 mmt.
  • Last year, Australia’s wheat crop totaled 26 mmt. But expectations are for an increase to production this year, with Rabobank estimating a 27.4 mmt harvest. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics is even higher, pegging the crop at 29.1 mmt.

Action Plan: Chicago Wheat

Calls

2023

No New Action

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

Cash

2023

No New Action

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

Puts

2023

No New Action

2024

No New Action

2025

Active

Enter(Buy) JUL ’25 Puts:

620 @ ~ 33c

Chicago Wheat Action Plan Summary

Since rallying nearly 200 cents from the March low to the May high, largely on fund short covering from Russian crop concerns and dryness in the southwestern Plains, prices have fallen from their peak with seasonal weakness and the onset of harvest. Although the market is showing signs of weakness, it is also becoming oversold, which can be supportive in the event prices turn back higher, and the recent breakout above the December highs suggests there is potential for a test of the 2023 summer highs.

  • No new action is currently recommended for 2023 Chicago wheat. Any remaining 2023 soft red winter wheat should be getting priced into market strength. Grain Market Insider won’t have any “New Alerts” for 2023 Chicago wheat – either Cash, Calls, or Puts, as we have moved focus onto 2024 and 2025 Crop Year Opportunities.
  • No new action is recommended for 2024 Chicago wheat. Considering the recent rally in wheat, we recommended taking advantage of the elevated prices to make additional sales and buy upside July ’25 860 and 1020 calls (for their extended time frame) in case of a protracted rally. Our current strategy is to target 740 – 760 versus July ’24 to recommend further sales and to target a selling price of about 73 cents in the 860 calls to achieve a net neutral cost on the remaining 1020 calls. The remaining 1020 calls would then continue to protect existing sales and give you confidence to make additional sales at higher prices.
  • Grain Market Insider sees a continued opportunity to buy July ‘25 620 Chicago wheat puts on a portion of your 2025 SRW wheat crop for approximately 33 cents plus commission and fees. The 706 support level in July ‘25 Chicago wheat futures has been broken. The market closing below 706 now paints a very uncertain picture for the overall direction of the market. The upside breakout in late May suggested that the macro trend had turned higher for wheat, with an overall higher trend possible into next year. If the overall macro trend was indeed up, we expected 706 support to hold. Therefore, this break of support raises the question of whether the upside breakout in late May was a false breakout or not. Given the market’s higher volatility and uncertain global picture, we want to maintain the July ’25 call options that are in place for the 2024 crop, and now add July ’25 put options for downside coverage on the 2025 crop. Adding put options now creates a “Strangle” option strategy, which is comprised of long calls and long puts in the same option month. This strategy is beneficial when market direction becomes uncertain, yet the expectation is for a future large move. From the current price level, if the macro trend is indeed up a move to 800+ looks possible on the topside, and if the macro trend is down, then a move back to 550 or lower looks possible on the downside.

To date, Grain Market Insider has issued the following Chicago wheat recommendations:

Above: Chicago Wheat Managed Money Funds net position as of Tuesday, June 4. Net position in Green versus price in Red. Money Managers net sold 5,815 contracts between May 29 – June 4, bringing their total position to a net short 52,741 contracts.

Action Plan: KC Wheat

Calls

2023

No New Action

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

Cash

2023

No New Action

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

Puts

2023

No New Action

2024

No New Action

2025

Active

Enter(Buy) JUL ’25 KC Puts:

620 @ ~ 30c

KC Wheat Action Plan Summary

Between the end of February and the middle of April, KC wheat was mostly rangebound between the mid-590s on the topside and mid 550s down low, with little to move prices higher, all the while Managed funds continued adding to their large net short positions. Toward the end of April, dryness in the Black Sea region and the US HRW growing areas started becoming more concerning and triggered a short covering rally across the wheat complex, driving prices to levels not seen in over six months. Although US wheat exports continue to struggle to compete on the world market, which can keep a lid on US prices, the recent breakout above resistance from the December highs suggests there is potential for a test of the highs from last summer.

  • No new action is recommended for 2023 KC wheat. Any remaining 2023 hard red winter wheat should be getting priced into market strength. Grain Market Insider won’t have any “New Alerts” for 2023 KC wheat – either Cash, Calls, or Puts, as we have moved focus onto 2024 and 2025 Crop Year Opportunities. 
  • No new action is recommended for 2024 KC wheat. Considering the recent upside breakout in KC wheat, we recommended buying upside July ’25 860 and 1020 calls (for their extended time frame) in case of a protracted rally. Our current strategy is to target 820 – 840 versus July ’24 to recommend further sales and to target a selling price of about 71 cents in the 860 calls to achieve a net neutral cost on the remaining 1020 calls. The remaining 1020 calls would then continue to protect existing sales and give you confidence to make additional sales at higher prices.
  • Grain Market Insider sees a continued opportunity to buy July ‘25 620 KC wheat puts on a portion of your 2025 HRW wheat crop for approximately 30 cents plus commission and fees. The 706 support level in July ‘25 KC wheat futures has been broken. The market closing below 706 now paints a very uncertain picture for the overall direction of the market. The upside breakout in late May suggested that the macro trend had turned higher for wheat, with an overall higher trend possible into next year. If the overall macro trend was indeed up, we expected 706 support to hold. Therefore, this break of support raises the question of whether the upside breakout in late May was a false breakout or not. Given the market’s higher volatility and uncertain global picture, we want to maintain the July ’25 call options that are in place for the 2024 crop, and now add July ’25 put options for downside coverage on the 2025 crop. Adding put options now creates a “Strangle” option strategy, which is comprised of long calls and long puts in the same option month. This strategy is beneficial when market direction becomes uncertain, yet the expectation is for a future large move. From the current price level, if the macro trend is indeed up, a move to 800+ looks possible on the topside, and if the macro trend is down, then a move back to 550 or lower looks possible on the downside.

To date, Grain Market Insider has issued the following KC recommendations:

Above: KC Wheat Managed Money Funds net position as of Tuesday, June 4. Net position in Green versus price in Red. Money Managers net sold 3,790 contracts between May 29 – June 4, bringing their total position to a net short 13,538 contracts.

Action Plan: Mpls Wheat

Calls

2023

No New Action

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

Cash

2023

No New Action

2024

Active

Sell SEP ’24 Cash

2025

No New Action

Puts

2023

No New Action

2024

No New Action

2025

Active

Enter(Buy) JUL ’25 KC Puts:

620 @ ~ 30c

Mpls Wheat Action Plan Summary

From mid-February through most of April, Minneapolis wheat traded mostly sideways to lower, lacking significant bullish fundamental news to drive prices upward. However, in late April, spurred by concerns over the world wheat crop and dry conditions in the HRW growing regions, Minneapolis wheat experienced a rally back towards last fall’s highs. Despite lingering obstacles for the US wheat market, the recent rally above resistance from last winter’s highs suggests there is potential for an extended rally toward summer 2023 highs.

  • No new action is recommended for 2023 Minneapolis wheat. Any remaining 2023 spring wheat should be getting priced into market strength. Grain Market Insider won’t have any “New Alerts” for 2023 Minneapolis wheat – either Cash, Calls, or Puts, as we have moved focus onto 2024 and 2025 Crop Year Opportunities.
  • Grain Market Insider sees a continued opportunity to sell a portion of your 2024 spring wheat crop. Since peaking in May, the market has retraced just over 50% of the rally that began in late April, suggesting that our Plan A upside targets are now less likely to be achieved and prices may trend lower. Considering this, along with the fact that prices remain elevated, Grain Market Insider is implementing a Plan B Stop strategy and recommending additional sales for the 2024 HRS crop.
  • Grain Market Insider sees a continued opportunity to buy July ‘25 620 KC wheat puts on a portion of your 2025 Spring wheat crop for approximately 30 cents plus commission and fees. The 706 support level in July ‘25 KC wheat futures has been broken. The market closing below 706 now paints a very uncertain picture for the overall direction of the market. The upside breakout in late May suggested that the macro trend had turned higher for wheat, with an overall higher trend possible into next year. If the overall macro trend was indeed up, we expected 706 support to hold. Therefore, this break of support raises the question of whether the upside breakout in late May was a false breakout or not. Given the market’s higher volatility and uncertain global picture, we want to maintain the July ’25 call options that are in place for the 2024 crop, and now add July ’25 put options for downside coverage on the 2025 crop. Adding put options now, creates a “Strangle” option strategy, which is comprised of long calls and long puts in the same option month. This strategy is beneficial when market direction becomes uncertain, yet the expectation is for a future large move. From the current price level, if the macro trend is indeed up, a move to 800+ looks possible on the topside, and if the macro trend is down, then a move back to 550 or lower looks possible on the downside. The KC wheat market has a high correlation with Minneapolis wheat’s price movements, and Grain Market Insider recommends buying July ’25 KC Wheat puts in lieu of Minneapolis puts due to the significantly higher liquidity levels in the KC wheat market versus that of the Minneapolis wheat market.

To date, Grain Market Insider has issued the following Minneapolis wheat recommendations:

Above: Minneapolis Wheat Managed Money Funds net position as of Tuesday, June 4. Net position in Green versus price in Red. Money Managers net bought 1,992 contracts between May 29 – June 4, bringing their total position to a net long 7,732 contracts.

Other Charts / Weather

Above: US 7-day precipitation forecast courtesy of NOAA, Weather Prediction Center.