Updated forecasts favor hot weather spreading through the Midwest next week and that had traders bidding corn, soybeans and spring wheat higher. The heat could stress corn that is either pollinating or will pollinate soon.

Failure by the U.S. Senate to pass a health care bill caused a sharp drop in the dollar, which is now the lowest since September 2016. The lower dollar could aid crop exports. 

Listen to the report using the audio link on this page.

Farm Futures Senior Editor Bob Burgdorfer comes to Penton Farm Progress with experience as a reporter covering grain markets and other global news with Reuters, Inc. A journalism graduate from Kansas State University, Bob has also worked at daily newspapers and Knight-Ridder as a commodity reporter, covering grains and livestock. He has earned five writing awards for his coverage of Mad Cow Disease, immigration issues and other international breaking news stories.

For more corn, wheat and soy news, commodity marketing recommendations and daily commodity charts, subscribe to Farm Futures' free e-newsletter, Farm Futures Daily, and keep up during the day with Farm Futures on Twitter.