Farm Progress

Normal temps and plenty of rain has the U.S. soybean crop looking good and driving up ending stocks, but demand remains strong.

Kevin Van Trump, Founder

August 15, 2018

2 Min Read
yelena yemchuk/ThinkstockPhotos

Soybean bears are talking about improved U.S. weather, mostly normal temperatures and above normal rainfall now in the forecast across large portions of the key U.S. growing regions.

This is starting to bring about more talk of increasing yields and the more realistic probability of the U.S. harvesting a +4.5 billion bushel crop and ending stocks staying north of 750 million bushels. 

The bears clearly believe there is more downside risk in the market and that prices could eventually fall to sub-$8.00. Keep in mind, the USDA recently lowered the U.S. season-average farm price by -35 cents per bushel with the range now being from $7.65 to $10.15.

Despite the massive ending stock numbers being tossed around, the bulls continue to talk about strong demand for new-crop soybeans, and perhaps China booking more U.S. new-crop shipments than the market has currently given credit.

From a technical perspective, bulls were happy to see the soybean market trade back above its 50-day moving average yesterday. I suspect there will be even more optimism if we can eventually close back above $9.00 per bushel. It still feels like there are a couple of pockets of stiff resistance in the NOV18 contract. The first between $8.85 and $8.90 and next between $9.10 and $9.20 per bushel.

On the downside, it seems like nearby support is in the $8.50 to 8.60 range. A bit more longer-term is the most recent low, set back in mid-July, down at $8.26^2.

As for today, the trade will be wanting to see the latest NOPA crush data, where most are expecting to see the July numbers set another monthly record. The previous record for the month of July happened in 2016 with an estimate of 145.23 million bushels.

The trade is thinking we will see something north of +161.00 million bushels for July of 2018.

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About the Author(s)

Kevin Van Trump

Founder, Farmdirection.com

Kevin is a leading expert in Agricultural marketing and analysis, he also produces an award-winning and world-recognized daily industry Ag wire called "The Van Trump Report." With over 20 years of experience trading professionally at the CME, CBOT and KCBOT, Kevin is able to 'connect-the-dots' and simplify the complex moving parts associated with today's markets in a thought provoking yet easy to read format. With thousands of daily readers in over 40 countries, Kevin has become a sought after source for market direction, timing and macro views associated with the agricultural world. Kevin is a top featured guest on many farm radio programs and business news channels here in the United States. He also speaks internationally to hedge fund managers and industry leading agricultural executives about current market conditions and 'black swan' forecasting. Kevin is currently the acting Chairman of Farm Direction, an international organization assembled to bring the finest and most current agricultural thoughts and strategies directly to the world's top producers. The markets have dramatically changed and Kevin is trying to redefine how those in the agricultural world can better manage their risk and better understand the adversity that lies ahead. 

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