Wittal: Funds playing the weather game

Feb. 5 — Grain futures made some nice gains today. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s weekly export inspection numbers were at or above expected levels, which helped all grains rally. Corn was up 13 cents a bushel, beans were up 24 to 31 cents per bushel, wheat was up 17 to 21 cents a bushel, […] Read more

Wittal: Trade awaits USDA numbers

Feb. 4 — Markets were very jumpy today. Most grains started out with nice positive gains but the lack of new export business, and concerns over where the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) might peg stocks next week, sent things down rather quickly. Oilseeds were able to hold on to some of today’s gains to […] Read more


Wittal: Slim export business adds to bearish tone

Feb. 3 — Yet another down day on the markets for grains, as continued rains in Argentina have set a negative tone in the markets. That, along with very little export activity in any of the grains the past two weeks, is setting a very bearish tone to the markets right now. The U.S. Department […] Read more

Wittal: Rain in Argentina dampens markets

Feb. 2 — There was continued downward pressure on all grains today as beneficial rains hit a good portion of the drier regions in Argentina over the weekend and forecasts call for continued showers this week. The rains are not enough to repair damage done to yield already, but it will stop yield losses from […] Read more

Wittal: Profit-taking pressures wheat

Jan. 30 — It was a roller coaster ride today with stocks going up and down, up and down as various news items came in throughout the day that influenced the markets. Corn ended down two to three cents a bushel, beans finished up eight to 13 cents a bushel, wheat is down four to […] Read more


Wittal: Traders play it safe

Jan. 29 — It was another off day, with all grains ending up negative. Corn is down two to three cents a bushel, beans are down three to 13 cents a bushel, wheat is down 16 to 18 cents a bushel, canola is down $2 to $3 a tonne and barley is down $7 per […] Read more


Wittal: Crude oil drags on canola, beans

Jan. 27 — It was a negative day for most of the grains in the markets today. Oilseeds started off the day in an upward move, but that didn’t last long once crude oil started to trade lower and pulled beans and canola down with it. Continued weather forecasts calling for rain throughout Argentina in […] Read more



Wittal: Grains end week mixed

This was a very mixed and choppy trading day for all grains. They started down in the morning, tried to rebound, then faded away into the close. Some ended up for the day and others were down. Corn is up two to three cents a bushel, beans are down three to 14 cents a bushel, […] Read more