There are a handful of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts issued each year that are extra sensitive for markets. USDA’s 101st Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, which will be held Feb. 27-28 near Washington, D.C., is one of them. The theme of this year’s event is “Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges Today.”
U.S. corn and soybean acreage forecasts under current conditions will be among the key focal points. Those acreage numbers often set the price tones for corn (ZCH25), soybeans (ZSH25) and even wheat (ZWH25) for many weeks to follow — until the USDA planting intentions and quarterly grain stocks updates are published in late March.
