The Latest Breaking News from USDA

Most daily expenses have gone up, with one exception that does spell relief for millions of Americans — especially Boomers, while other costs of living rise.

Texas lawmakers heard conflicting reports on the state’s readiness to fight the New World Screwworm, which is approaching the southern border.

Corn futures posted gains of 4 to 5 cents across most contracts on Tuesday, following a bullish USDA report. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price was up 4 1/2 cents at $4.03 1/2. The monthly WASDE was out this morning, showing a 125 mbu cut to US ending stocks,...

Cotton futures posted Tuesday gains of 10 to 19 points at the close, as contracts held up despite a mildly bearish USDA report. Crude oil futures were down 49 cents per barrel at $58.39 on the day, with the US dollar index $0.114 higher to $99.175. USDA’s Crop Production report...

Lean hog futures closed Tuesday with mixed trade, as December was up 20 cents another other contracts down 45 to 55 cents. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $71.43 on Tuesday afternoon, up $1.39 from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index was back up 3 cents...

The wheat complex was mixed across the three exchanges on Tuesday, with spring wheat holding higher. Chicago SRW futures were fractionally mixed on the day. KC HRW futures also saw fractionally mixed action at the close. MPLS spring wheat was 5 cents higher in the March contract. USDA published their...

Live cattle futures are down 50 cents in nearby December, with other contracts 20 to 30 cents higher. There were 15 new deliveries on Tuesday for West Point, NE, with another 15 retendered in Kearney, NE. Cash trade has been quiet thus far this week. Last week was $220-225 in...

NEWS ANALYSIS: Trump’s USDA chief argues that farmers need a bailout — but insists Trump isn’t responsible. The president’s critics say his trade war is obviously the reason, writes John Bowden

Nearby ICE cotton futures have not traded above 70 cents per pound since May 2025, but they have also remained above 60 cents. With the cotton market in the heart of winter, it could be the perfect time to consider a long position in the fluffy fiber for 2026.

March NY world sugar #11 (SBH26 ) on Tuesday closed down -0.15 (-1.01%), and March London ICE white sugar #5 (SWH26 ) closed down -3.80 (-0.90%). Sugar prices tumbled to 3-week lows on Tuesday. Weakness in the Brazilian real is weighing on sugar prices as the real (^USDBRL ) fell...

Live cattle futures are down 20 cents to 50 cents higher across the front months on Tuesday. There were 15 deliveries tendered on First Notice Day on Monday, with the oldest long dated September 27. Cash trade has been quiet thus far this week. Last week was $220-225 in the...