Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.com

🌎 Markets & Macro
Grains, oil, and global headlines all moving fast—stay sharp.

🌽 Grain Update
Corn, soybeans, and wheat action you need to know.

⛽ Energy & Biofuels
Ethanol, crude oil, and policy shifts impacting demand.

📈 What It Means
Key takeaways to help you stay ahead of the market.

Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.com

Grain Markets and Other Stuff Links —

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
TikTok
YouTube

Futures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

President Trump is headed to China 🇨🇳 for a high-stakes meeting with Xi, and markets are already reacting. Soybeans surged on the news, while corn and wheat followed higher amid fertilizer and acreage concerns.

The EPA also issued another E15 summer waiver ⛽🌽, keeping ethanol demand supported—for now. But with plants already running near capacity, how much more corn can actually be used?

Meanwhile, fertilizer prices are rising fast 💥, USDA funding is being cut 💰, and ethanol production/margins are improving 📈.

👉 Plenty to unpack across energy, policy, and grain markets.

Subscribe for daily updates 👍 and drop your thoughts in the comments!

Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.com

Grain Markets and Other Stuff Links —

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
TikTok
YouTube

Futures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

🌽 E15 Decision Coming?
Another summer waiver may drop today, allowing E15 sales and supporting ethanol demand—not permanent, but still bullish short-term.

🛢️ Oil Still Wild
Crude jumped, then pulled back as war headlines flip hourly. No real clarity yet—volatility remains high ⚡

🌾 Fertilizer Concerns Growing
Prices are surging, and many farmers haven’t locked supply. Washington is scrambling for solutions ahead of Friday’s ag event.

🌍 Global Supply Tightening
Russia just restricted exports, and Australia is cutting wheat acres—potential supply issues ahead.

👉 Energy + fertilizer + policy = big market risk (and opportunity)

👍 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment with what you’re seeing locally!

Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.com

Grain Markets and Other Stuff Links —

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
TikTok
YouTube

Futures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

Welcome back! Today we’re breaking down a wild mix of geopolitics 🌍, energy markets 🛢️, biofuels policy 🌽, and key ag fundamentals 🌾👇

🛢️ Oil Market Whiplash

Oil prices dropped sharply Monday as optimism grew that the Iran conflict could cool off. WTI crude plunged more than 10%, hitting its lowest level in nearly two weeks after President Trump signaled progress in talks and ordered a temporary pause on strikes. That said, the situation remains volatile—Iran denies direct talks, and attacks in the region continue. Bottom line: headlines are still driving massive swings in energy and commodity markets.

🌽 Biofuels Policy Incoming

The Trump administration is expected to roll out new biofuel blending quotas by month-end, likely tied to Friday’s White House agriculture event. EPA head Lee Zeldin confirmed updated Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requirements are coming soon, with more rulemaking to follow. Key issues include diesel volumes, RIN values, and blending mandates—plus ongoing debate over year-round E15. This is a big one for corn demand and ethanol margins.

🌾 Wheat Weather Watch

HRW wheat areas across the Plains remain dry, with little relief expected over the next 10 days. Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and the southern Plains are all under pressure, though longer-range models hint at rain returning. Current Kansas ratings sit at 46% good/excellent and 19% poor/very poor. Weather risk is building—but forecasts beyond a week are always shaky.

🚢 Strong Export Demand

US export activity was solid last week:

Corn shipments hit 1.7 mmt (strong vs. last year)
Soybeans came in at 1.1 mmt, with China taking 60%
Wheat exceeded expectations at 458k mt

Demand continues to hold up well, especially on the corn and soybean side.

🐖 China Demand Concerns

China’s hog sector is under serious pressure. Pork prices have collapsed to multi-year lows, and producer margins are shrinking fast. Weak consumer demand and rising feed costs are forcing Beijing to step in—cutting herd sizes and buying pork for reserves. This has major implications for global feed demand, especially soymeal.

🇧🇷 Brazil Harvest Update

Brazil’s soybean harvest is lagging, now at 68% complete vs. 80% last year. Dry weather helped recently, but rains are coming back into the forecast. Meanwhile, second crop corn planting is nearly finished at 97%. Timing and logistics here remain critical for global supply flows.

⚡ Flash Sales

USDA confirmed fresh demand:

102,000 mt of corn sold to Mexico (new crop)
161,120 mt of soybeans sold to Mexico (new crop)

Steady demand continues to show up on the daily wire.

👍 If you’re in agriculture, these moving pieces matter—energy, policy, weather, and global demand are all tightly connected right now.

Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.com

Grain Markets and Other Stuff Links —

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
TikTok
YouTube

Futures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

⚠️ Middle East tensions are escalating fast… and markets are watching closely.

🌍 Geopolitics
Trump issues a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran over the Strait of Hormuz—threatening strikes on power infrastructure if it’s not reopened. Iran pushes back, raising fears of broader conflict and long-term shipping disruptions.

🛢️ Energy vs. Grains
Crude oil holding firm despite the headlines, while grain markets slipped Friday. Corn, soybeans, and wheat all pressured by profit-taking, a stronger dollar, and improving US weather outlooks.

📊 Fund Positioning
Funds keep piling into corn (largest net long since Feb ‘25), trimming soybeans, and reducing wheat shorts. Positioning remains a key driver heading into spring.

🌱 Global Ag Developments
China eases restrictions on Brazilian soybeans after recent trade tensions—potentially smoothing export flows during peak shipment season.

⛽ Diesel & Inflation
Diesel prices surge above $5—fueling inflation concerns across agriculture, trucking, and the broader economy.

🐄 Cattle Market
Cattle on Feed report leans bearish with larger-than-expected placements, though context matters vs. last year’s low numbers.

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments—are grain markets too cheap here?

Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.com

Grain Markets and Other Stuff Links —

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
TikTok
YouTube

Futures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

🌍 War & Bullish Setup
Bank of America says ag markets may be underpricing the Iran war. Prolonged conflict could tighten fertilizer supplies and spark a new grain bull cycle 🌽📈

⛽ Energy Shock = Fertilizer Risk
Damage to Qatar LNG + soaring nat gas prices = major nitrogen concerns. Urea futures hit multi-year highs… big implications for crop costs ⚠️

🌽 Grains Higher
Corn, beans, and wheat all pushed higher Thursday on energy + fertilizer fears. New calendar-year highs in corn contracts 🚜

💰 Funds Still Long
Funds were net buyers again—holding large long positions in both corn and soybeans 👀

🛢️ Oil Surge
Crude spiked sharply this week amid Middle East attacks. Higher energy = higher input costs + biofuel support 🔥

🏛️ Fertilizer Bill
New bipartisan “Fertilizer Transparency Act” aims to improve pricing visibility and boost domestic production 🇺🇸

🌧️ Weather Update
Better moisture in the Corn Belt, but worsening drought in the Plains. Mixed outlook heading into planting season 🌦️

👉 If you’re watching inputs, energy, and geopolitics… this could get interesting fast.

👍 Like & subscribe for more daily grain market updates
💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments—bull market coming?

Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.com

Grain Markets and Other Stuff Links —

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
TikTok
YouTube

Futures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

🌾 Wheat Leads the Rally
Wheat futures surged on weather concerns across the Plains—winter damage risk + hot/dry forecasts gave bulls a reason to step in.

🌽 Corn & Beans Follow + Funds Active
Corn and soybeans moved higher alongside crude oil 📈
Funds were aggressive buyers again—corn and beans both sitting with big net long positions.

📊 Acreage Debate Heating Up
Private estimates are creeping higher on corn acres, but fertilizer costs could throw a wrench into everything.
March 31 numbers? Probably noisy. June will matter more.

🚢 Jones Act Waived
The administration temporarily lifted shipping restrictions to ease fertilizer and fuel logistics—but it may be too late to impact spring costs.

🌍 China Trip Delayed
Trump’s China visit pushed back amid geopolitical tensions—trade talks (and ag demand expectations) remain in limbo.

⛽ Ethanol Slips
Production dipped, stocks rose, and margins are hovering around breakeven across the Corn Belt.

💵 Fed Holds Rates Steady
No rate change. Markets slid after the announcement as uncertainty tied to global conflict remains high.

Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.com

Grain Markets and Other Stuff Links —

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
TikTok
YouTube

Futures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

🌽 White House Biofuels Event & RVO Decision
President Trump is hosting a major ag event next week with farmers and biofuel producers 🇺🇸
Comes just ahead of the 2026–2027 blending mandate decision
Potential increase in mandates = stronger demand for ethanol & biodiesel
⚠️ Refiners pushing back, warning of higher fuel prices
Timing matters with Middle East conflict already pressuring energy markets

💸 Rising Farm Costs Becoming Political
War-driven input inflation is hitting farmers hard 🚜
Fertilizer + fuel costs surging right before planting
Margins already tight due to weak grain prices
Could impact rural sentiment ahead of midterms 🗳️
Higher farm costs = potential food inflation pressure 🍔

🌾 Wheat Market Update
Wheat futures slipped Tuesday 📉
Chicago wheat ~ $5.90, KC wheat ~ $6.07
Cold temps + ongoing dryness in the Plains
Forecast: hot + dry → then cooldown
Russia still undercutting U.S. on price 🌍

🌍 Trump Delays China Trip
Trade tensions stay in focus 🇺🇸🇨🇳
Visit pushed back 5–6 weeks
Trump ties trip to China helping reopen Hormuz
Treasury says delay is logistical

⏳ Delays progress on ag trade talks (soybeans!)
Meanwhile:
Strait of Hormuz effectively closed 🚢
Iranian attacks continue across the region
Energy markets remain on edge

🇧🇷 Brazil Soybean Export Problems
Brazil facing fresh export disruptions 🚫
China tightening inspection standards
Issues: insects, damage, treated beans
Cargill paused some shipments
Local soybean bids have collapsed in some areas

Officials heading to China to try and fix it 🤝
👉 This could shift demand back toward the U.S. if it drags on