Grains Report - Thursday, May 28

WHEAT
General Comments: Wheat markets were mixed, with Hard Red Winter futures a little higher and Soft Red Winter and Spring Wheat futures a little lower. Improving weather around the world and here at home was the big reason to see some selling hit the markets, but reports that Europe and parts of the western Great Plains are dry supported the markets. Reports indicate that Russia got some very beneficial rains over the weekend. The US Midwest has also seen a lot of rain and a bumper SRW crop is expected. Reduced production ideas are floated for HRW areas after some disappointing rains over the weekend and no forecasts for much relief in the future. The crop is suffering under the hot and dry weather. Growing conditions are better now with the arrival of showers in these areas, but the showers in the west have not been big enough to solve the problem. It has been mostly dry in the northern Great Plains and into the Canadian Prairies but the market is less concerned about production potential for Spring Wheat crops. It was warmer and drier last week and a lot of planting got done.
Overnight News: The southern Great Plains should get scattered showers through Thursday, then dry conditions. Temperatures should be near to below normal. Northern areas should see scattered showers through Thursday, then dry conditions. Temperatures will average near to below normal. The Canadian Prairies should see mostly dry conditions. Temperatures should average below normal in the west and above normal in the east.
Chart Analysis: Trends in Chicago are mixed. Support is at 501, 496, and 494 July, with resistance at 512, 518, and 528 July. Trends in Kansas City are mixed. Support is at 439, 431, and 428 July, with resistance at 457, 461, and 468 July. Trends in Minneapolis are mixed. Support is at 510, 504, and 502 July, and resistance is at 520, 526, and 528 July.

RICE
General Comments: Rice was higher, with July leading the way. The domestic situation remains tight for the old crop month of July. New crop months have reflected ideas of greatly increased planted area from producers, but those ideas have been thrown into doubt due to big rains in Mississippi and Arkansas at planting time. There is little time left to plant and some producers are now looking at the Prevent Plant program for help. The overall planted area might be close to last year. Demand for US Rice remains generally positive and the export sales pace, in general, has been very good. The weekly crop progress reports showed that southern Rice is emerging well.
Overnight News: The Delta should get scattered showers. Temperatures should be generally above normal.
Chart Analysis: Trends are mixed to up with no objectives. Support is at 1620, 1608, and 1591 July, with resistance at 1656, 1668, and 1680 July.

CORN AND OATS
General Comments: Corn was a little higher and seemed to rally in sympathy with Soybeans. Some traders noted that the Brazilian Real was stronger to help Corn and Soybeans prices here. The main fundamental remains demand destruction caused by the lack of ethanol demand and the lack of feed demand. Both have been detrimentally affected by the Coronavirus. Some states are starting to open now in the US but the experience in other countries suggests that the people will be very cautious in any activities and really not go out and spend money or hit the stores as before. Driving will be significantly less. Feed demand has been reduced as packers have been forced to shut plants down due to infected employees in the plants. The plants are opening now with some government-mandated protections for workers, but not all workers are back to work and the social distancing requirements means that less meat can be processed in any case. Cattle and hog producers are seeing much less demand for their production and that has affected feed demand. The Midwest weather is improving after the recent cold spell. It is now warmer with some showers and storms around. The funds are very short this market and are keeping prices down. Traders wonder how long they will hold these positions as they are not making any money.
Overnight News:
Chart Analysis: Trends in Corn are mixed. Support is at 319, 315, and 312 July, and resistance is at 323, 325, and 327 July. Trends in Oats are up with objectives of 334 and 346 July. Support is at 322, 320, and 315 July, and resistance is at 333, 336, and 339 July.

SOYBEANS AND PRODUCTS
General Comments: Soybeans and products closed higher as the Brazilian Real moved higher and helped with demand ideas. The saber-rattling between the US and China are hurting demand ideas although for now it appears that no one wants to touch trade agreements in the war of words over Hong Kong and Chinas transparency in the wake of the Coronavirus epidemic. The President has said that he will announce new measure to punish China for its actions later this week. Chinese moves to better control Hong Kong are not going well with western nations who want Hong Kong to hold onto its more independent status. The demand has been slow otherwise with the significant competition from Brazil. The Real has weakened a lot against the US Dollar and Brazil producers can sell at very high prices in the local currency. Basis levels at the ports in Brazil are increasing to choke off the flow. Weather is improving with warmer temperatures. Some Soybeans might need to be replanted this week. Brazil production is almost sold out now. Production estimates there are slightly less than before due to hot and dry weather in some areas. There is some talk that the ports in Brazil could slow down loading due to the outbreak of Coronavirus there.
Overnight News:
Chart Analysis: Trends in Soybeans are mixed. Support is at 840, 818, and 812 July, and resistance is at 861, 868, and 877 July. Trends in Soybean Meal are mixed to down with objectives of 279.00 July. Support is at 280.00, 277.00, and 274.00 July, and resistance is at 286.00, 288.00, and 290.00 July. Trends in Soybean Oil are mixed to up with objectives of 2840 and 3020 July. Support is at 2690, 2660, and 2630 July, with resistance at 2810, 2820, and 2960 July.

CANOLA AND PALM OIL
General Comments: Palm Oil closed higher after news of renewed demand interest from India and China. It as closed today. Palm Oil has been hoping for better demand from importers as world economies slowly open after being closed by the Coronavirus epidemic. A government change in Malaysia helped open the Indian market to Malaysian imports again. Canola was higher despite improved growing conditions in the Canadian Prairies as Chicago was stronger. Manitoba said that a lot of planting got one last week, but producers are still behind the five-year average due to wet weather earlier in the season. The weather has been warmer this past week after weeks of cold and wet weather.
Overnight News:
Chart Analysis: Trends in Canola are mixed to down with no objectives. Support is at 459.00, 456.00, and 452.00 July, with resistance at 468.00, 470.00, and 472.00 July. Trends in Palm Oil are up with objectives of 2340 August. Support is at 2260, 2240, and 2210 August, with resistance at 2350, 2390, and 2400 August.