8 July 2009

4 minute read

North America

NOTE: The report will not be published for 13 July or 20 July.

I will be in France, partly on holiday and partly on work. I am taking my wife of 38 years on our “first” honeymoon. She has said it is okay if we go into the French country to meet with some French agriculture ministry officials to tour some farms while there. I may have material for a report or two when I get back.

Thanks for reading... Mike R.

LIVE CATTLE futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) were mixed Monday with nearbys off and deferreds up. The AUG’09LC contract closed off $0.450/cwt at $84.425/cwt; $0.200/cwt lower than this time last week on hedge selling and jitters over the US economy. DEC’09LC futures closed at $89.875/cwt; down $0.175/cwt and $0.375/cwt lower than last report. The February contract broke even. Slow retail sales amid a weaker US economy pressured prices. Traders don’t see any let up in the near future. Beef demand is off on the highest unemployment in 26 years noting more hamburger grillers than steak grillers this past holiday. Tight supplies and higher cash cattle were supportive. USDA put the Choice Beef Cutout at $137.98/cwt, up $0.09/cwt but $1.40/cwt lower than this time last week. Cash cattle traded $1.00-1.50/cwt higher as USDA put its 5-area average at $82.81/cwt; up $1.18/cwt from last report. According to HedgersEdge.com, average packer margins were lowered $11.75/head to a positive $1.80/head based on the average buy of $81.64/cwt vs. the average breakeven of $81.78/cwt. It is still a good idea to hold cattle to heavier weights if you can. It might be a good idea to lock in near-term feed needs.

FEEDER CATTLE at the CME were up again Monday on support from lower grain and tight supplies. AUG’09FC futures finished at $103.80/cwt; up $0.350/cwt and $2.075/cwt higher than last report. The OCT’09FC contract closed at $102.925/cwt; up $0.450/cwt and $1.600/cwt higher than this time last week. Cash feeders were $2/cwt higher in Oklahoma City. The latest CME Feeder Cattle Index was placed at $98.93/cwt, up $0.41/cwt and $1.26/cwt higher than a week ago. It might be a good idea to hold feeders to heavier weights.

CORN futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) were down again in on Monday after a weak open. The JULY’09 contract closed at $3.432/bu; off 2.4¢/bu and 33.75+¢/bu lower than last Monday. DEC’09 corn futures finished at $3.442/bu; down 13.25¢/bu and 53.0¢/bu under last report. Good crop weather, bull spreading, a strengthening US dollar causing exports to slow, and lower crude oil prices pressured the corn market. Support was found in tight supplies on slow farmer selling. Israel and South Korea were among export buyers as USDA reported corn-inspected-for-export at 31.1 mi bu vs. expectations between 30.0-35.0 mi bu. USDA placed the US corn crop at 71 per cent good-to-excellent condition vs. 62 per cent this time last year. Funds sold about 12,000 contracts as large speculators continue to increase net bear positions. It looks like the December ’09 corn chart may have posted an exhaustion gap while technically oversold with a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 24.18. An RSI at or below 30 is considered oversold while an RSI at or above 70 is considered overbought. These prices may be too low for large specs and funds to resist. Hopefully the ’09 crop is 70-80 per cent sold.

SOYBEAN futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) were down on Monday. The JULY’09 contract closed off 43.0¢/bu at $12.000/bu and 15.0¢/bu under last report. The NOV’09 contract closed at $9.630/bu; off 43.0¢/bu and 20.5¢/bu lower than Monday a-week-ago. The same negative factors affecting corn worked on soybeans: ideal crop weather; a firm US dollar; and a sharp drop in crude oil prices. Exports were supportive as USDA put soybeans-inspected-for-export at 14.1 mi bu vs. expectations between 10.0-13.0 mi bu. Basis remained firm amid quiet farmer sales. USDA placed soybeans in good-to-excellent condition at 66 per cent vs. 68 per cent last week and 58 per cent this time last year. Funds sold about 3,000 lots in positions squaring. Hopefully 70 per cent of the ’09 crop has been priced.

WHEAT futures in Chicago (CBOT) were off on Monday. JULY’09 wheat futures finished off 9.75¢/bu at $4.904/bu; 38.0¢/bu lower than last report. The SEPT’09 wheat contract closed at $5.192/bu; off 9.75¢/bu and 38.5¢/bu lower than this time last Monday. Nearby wheat futures fell to four-month lows. Good harvest numbers on rising global supply are proving bearish for prices. In addition, bearish outside markets and a stronger US dollar weighed on price. Exports were neutral with USDA placing wheat-inspected-for-export at 12.1 mi bu vs. expectations between 11.00-14.0 mi bu. Saudi Arabia bought 440,000 tonnes (16.17 mi bu). Late Monday USDA placed the US wheat crop at 72 per cent good-to-excellent condition vs. 76 per cent last week and 69 per cent this time last year. Sinking US prices pressured prices in Europe while heat stress on the crop in northern France was supportive. Reports from early wheat harvest in the center-west of France indicated acceptable yields and very good milling quality wheat. Funds sold 3,000 contracts. As suggested last week, it would be a good idea to finish pricing the ’09 crop at this time. It will not pay to store wheat this year.