Farm Progress

Soybean bears focus on improved South America moisture and bulls are backpedaling.

Kevin Van Trump, Founder

December 16, 2017

2 Min Read
fotokostic/iStock/ThinkStock

Soybean bears continue to talk about improved moisture in the forecast for South America, particular parts of southern Brazil and some dry areas of Argentina. Demand bulls are also backpedaling a bit on talk of weaker Chinese crush margins, meaning perhaps weaker nearby demand than originally forecast. I'm also hearing longer-term bears talk about increasing DDGS demand as the Chinese start ramping up ethanol production.

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Thoughts are perhaps growth in soy demand slows a bit during the next two years as end-users are able to substitute a portion with the ethanol byproduct. This is obviously out on the horizon but is certainly something we have to think about and keep in the back of our minds. The global balance sheets are extremely healthy and banking on continued growth in Chinese demand.

Here at home, I continue to hear talk that exports are currently overstated and the balance sheet could get a bit more burdensome in the year-end report. I also keep hearing early talk that the U.S. planted soybean acres could again set yet another record in 2018. Obviously, that ultimately depends on the weather, but as things are setting up, U.S. producers could continue to plant more soybean acres. Hence, without a significant weather story, the bulls have a hard time gaining and keeping traction.

The "technicals" are also creating some headwinds, as the market is under pressure and now teetering on levels of important support. As a producer, I continue to keep hedges in place and am happy to have made a couple of sales on the previous rally. I feel like I have a ton of time on the clock and absolutely no desire to get in any type of hurry.

As a spec, I'm going to keep paying close attention and look to perhaps grab a few cheap calls on a deeper break. Being short from the upper end of the range made some sense, but I'm not a big fan of shorting a breakout to the downside. It just seems like it could be tough to navigate when money starts rotating again.

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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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