Grains Report - Thursday, Aug. 20

WHEAT
General Comments: Wheat was higher yesterday on reports of more war between Ukraine and Russia. The war news was quieter yesterday. The price action was also tied to reports of reduced exports due to increased tensions in the Black Sea with Ukrainian bombing keeping Russia unable to ship anything through the Azov Sea and world weather. The Winter Wheat harvest is almost over. Spring Wheat is being harvested and is rated 52% good to excellent. Conditions are good in the US Midwest, but Europe has been too hot. The weather is now featuring scattered showers for parts of the Midwest along with moderate temperatures after a got week last week. The Gret Plains should stay hot and dry. USDA reduced production slightly to 1.531 billion bu and left total demand unchanged at 1.874 billion bu for a cut in ending stocks at 717 billion bushels.
Chart Analysis: Trends in Chicago are mixed. Support is at 646, 626, and 620 September, with resistance at 686, 711, and 718 September. Trends in Kansas City are mixed. Support is at 719, 691, and 679 September, with resistance at 777, 784, and 790 September. Trends in Minneapolis are not available

RICE
General Comments: Rice closed slightly lower yesterday on harvest pressure and selling in response to the USDA reports. USDA increased harvested area and production. Demand was also increased but ending stocks were still higher at 36.0 million cwt. Long grain ending stocks were also higher at 20.3 million cwt, from 17.7 million before. USDA said that Long Grain Production was estimated at 106.7 million cwt and demand was estimated at 167 cwt. Brazil prices are also strong on ideas of short production and El Nino fears for production on the next crop. Condition was little changed from the previous week Harvest is active in most states. Demand remains moderate to poor for US Rice and was moderate to poor last week.
Chart Analysis: Trends are mixed to up. Support is at 1406, 1389, and 1374 September and resistance is at 1444, 1456, and 1468 September.

CORN AND OATS
General Comments: Corn was higher yesterday after big rains were reported over the weekend and on the results of the Pro Farmer tour. Weakness was seen on response to increased production estimates from Brazil released last week. The Pro Farmer tour found below average yields in Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, and western Iowa. We made a quick crop tour of Indiana and Illinois late last week and over the weekend. Yield reports were generally good but below last year. We purposely sought to find good looking fields. Many fields were yellowing from nitrogen loss from too much rain and some fields had lower leaves dying due to the rain and heat alternating. USDA raised harvested area to 88.6 million acres from 87.4 million previously. Yield was cut to 180.7 bu/acre from 184 bu/scre. Production was estimated at 16.013 billion bushels from 16.000 billion previously. Domestic demand was left unchanged at 13.055 billion bushels but export demand was increased to 3.275 billion bushels from 3.2 billion before. Ending stocks were cut to 1.653 billion bushels from 1.7 billion before. Buying was seen based on reports of more big rains in much of the Midwest. Northwest areas did especially benefit, but central and many northern areas of the Midwest were hurt due to excessive rains. There is still too much hot and dry weather in the western and southern Midwest but moderating conditions in Europe. Ukraine and Russia are back at war again and shipping is very limited in both countries. It should be cooler with drier weather in the Midwest this week. The crop conditions are unchanged from last week and below aa year ago. Maturity is starting and progress is ahead of normal. Temperatures in the Midwest should be cooler this week. Pro Farmer found below average yield potential in South Dakota and Ohio. Oats were lower yesterday. Production and demand were increased by USDA last week to leave ending stocks unchanged.
Chart Analysis: Trends in Corn are mixed. Support is at 435, 427, and 421 September, and resistance is at 472, 478, and 484 September. Trends in Oats are mixed. Support is at 307, 300, and 294 September, and resistance is at 333, 349, and 347 September.

SOYBEANS
General Comments: Soybeans were higher and the products were lower yesterday on reports of more Chinese demand and because of reports for rain in the northern half of the Midwest and into central areas. The rain caused some significant ponding in Illinois and Indiana as seen from our brief crop tour late last week and over the weekend. The Pro Farmer crop tur found below average yield potential in Indiana but near average potential in Illinois. Nebraska had below averaged potential but Iowa had above average potential. USDA said that harvested area increased to 85.8 million acres from 84.4 million before. Yield was estimated at 52.7 bu/acre from 53 bu /acre before. The crush was increased by 30 million bu to 2.780 billion bushels and export demand was left unchanged. Ending stocks were estimated at 320 million bushels from 310 million before. It is still mostly hot and dry in the southern and western Midwest. Rapid blooming and setting pods progress was shown by USDA this week and reports of good conditions continue. Condition is below a year ago. Pro Farmer found below average yield potential in South Dakota and Ohio. Cooler temperatures and drier weather in northern areas are expected for the next week in the Midwest. Southern areas should stay hot and dry
Overnight News: Unknown destinations bought 150,000 tons of US Soybeans.
Analysis: Trends in Soybeans are mixed. Support is at 1140, 1122 and 1110 September, and resistance is at 1225, 1238, and 1250 September. Trends in Soybean Meal are mixed. Support is at 305.00, 302.00, and 299.00 September, and resistance is at 320.00, 323.00, and 328.00 September. Trends in Soybean Oil are mixed. Support is at 6660, 6540, and 6440 September, with resistance at 7260, 7290, and 7420 September.

PALM OIL AND CANOLA
General Comments: Palm Oil was higher today. Canola was higher yesterday.
Chart Analysis: Trends in Canola are mixed to up. Support is at 795.00, 778.00, and 769.00 November, with resistance at 839.00, 845.00, and 852.00 November. Trends in Palm Oil are mixed. Support is at 4600, 4530, and 4400 October, with resistance at 4780, 4820, and 4880 October.