Closing Market Report

Todd E. Gleason

Established 1985 The Closing Market Report airs weekdays at 2:06pm central on WILL AM580, Urbana. University of Illinois Extension Farm Broadcaster Todd Gleason hosts the program. Each day he asks commodity analysts about the trade in Chicago, delves deep into the global growing regions weather, and talks with ag economists, entomologists, agronomists, and others involved in agriculture at the farm and industry level. website: willag.org twitter: @commodityweek

  1. 4 days ago

    Jul 06 | Closing Market Report

    This Monday edition of the Closing Market Report highlights a major, post-holiday surge across the agricultural commodity markets, driven primarily by an adverse late-summer weather forecast and renewed export interest from China. Host Todd Gleason reports substantial gains in corn, soybean, and wheat futures following recent contract lows. Market analyst Curt Kimmel of AgMarket.net discusses the logistical significance of China picking up soybean cargoes off the Pacific Northwest and the Gulf, noting that while the technical fundamentals haven't shifted, the buying enthusiasm provides critical support ahead of Friday's upcoming USDA WASDE report. In agricultural news, farm groups are actively pushing back against Bayer's request for anti-dumping duties on Chinese glyphosate imports due to concerns over narrowing farmer margins. Additionally, University of Illinois Extension entomologist Nick Seiter warns producers to actively scout for corn leaf aphids as crops enter their vulnerable tasseling stage, and Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman expresses hope to transition foreign food aid programs back under the jurisdiction of the USDA via a new farm bill. The program also features an in-depth economic perspective from University of Minnesota Extension economist Ed Usset, who views the current market rally as a classic post-July 4th weather market. While acknowledging the bump from hot, dry domestic forecasts and extreme heat hitting crops in France, Usset reminds producers that this rally serves as an excellent "second chance" to clean out remaining old crop inventories and execute scale-up sales on new crop corn and soybeans before defensive seasonal trends potentially return. Finally, Mark Russo of EverStream Analytics breaks down the broader global weather patterns, noting that while the core U.S. Midwest looks secure, a highly intense ridge of high pressure will bring crop-stressing heat to western plains states like Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota next week. Internationally, Russo reports a disastrous third heat wave accelerating crop deterioration for  corn in France and parts of Eastern Europe, while unseasonal winter rains slightly slow the safrinha corn harvest in southern Brazil. 01:35 Ag Markets with Curt Kimmel, AgMarket.net07:20 Bayer Requests Glyphosate Import Protections08:00 Scout for Corn Aphids09:12 Farm Bill Legislation May Attempt to Move Foreign Food Aid10:54 Commodity Market Discussion with Ed Usset, University of Minnesota18:04 Ag Weather with Mark Russo, EverStream Analytics ★ Support this podcast ★

    24 min
  2. 1 Jul

    Jul 01 | Closing Market Report

    The July 1, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report covers recent commodity market trends and global weather impacts. The episode opens with a daily market recap, noting gains in corn, soybeans, and wheat futures, alongside slight declines in livestock futures such as live cattle and lean hogs. Greg Johnson of Total Grain Marketing analyzes the fallout from recent USDA reports, noting that despite bearish data on corn and soybean stocks and acreage, markets rallied due to traders taking profits on short positions. Looking ahead, Johnson emphasizes that upcoming rainfall in the Corn Belt is expected to benefit pollination, which will likely suppress weather-driven price rallies and keep producers reluctant to sell their grain at current low prices. Meteorologist Drew Lerner of World Weather, Inc. details the North American weather outlook, forecasting cooler and wetter conditions for the U.S. Midwest in July. While this moisture is largely beneficial for the corn and soybean crops, excessive rainfall threatens production potential in parts of the lower Midwest and the Canadian prairies, though improved dry conditions in the U.S. High Plains are currently aiding the winter wheat harvest. Lerner concludes with an update on severe heat and drought conditions affecting European agriculture, particularly in France. The region has received a fraction of its normal rainfall since March, and while mature winter crops like wheat and rapeseed were rushed to the finish line to avoid catastrophe, summer crops face significant yield losses if substantial precipitation does not arrive by late July. 02:34 Ag Markets with Greg Johnson, TGM13:39 Ag Weather with Drew Lerner, World Weather, Inc Click here to view the episode transcript. ★ Support this podcast ★

    24 min

About

Established 1985 The Closing Market Report airs weekdays at 2:06pm central on WILL AM580, Urbana. University of Illinois Extension Farm Broadcaster Todd Gleason hosts the program. Each day he asks commodity analysts about the trade in Chicago, delves deep into the global growing regions weather, and talks with ag economists, entomologists, agronomists, and others involved in agriculture at the farm and industry level. website: willag.org twitter: @commodityweek

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