DTN Midday Grain Comments 01/24 10:55

DTN Midday Grain Comments 01/24 10:55 Corn, Soybeans, Wheat Futures Lower at Midday Corn futures are 1 to 2 cents lower at midday Friday; soybean futures are 4 to 5 cents lower; wheat futures are 7 to 10 cents lower. David M. Fiala DTN Contributing Analyst MARKET SUMMARY: Corn futures are 1 to 2 cents lower at midday Friday; soybean futures are 4 to 5 cents lower; wheat futures are 7 to 10 cents lower. The U.S. stock market is mixed with the S&P 1 point higher. The U.S. Dollar Index is 75 points lower. The interest rate products are firmer. Energy trade is mixed with crude off .25 with natural gas .07 lower. Livestock trade is firmer with live cattle leading again. Precious metals are firmer with gold up 17.00. CORN: Corn futures are 1 to 2 cents lower at midday with early broad selling across the ag contracts easing at midday with the sharply weaker dollar helping to offset the reduction in Argentine export taxes. Weekly ethanol production eased slightly lower with colder weather, while inventories remain larger, keeping ethanol margins under pressure. Weekly export sales were strong at 1.66 million metric tons (mmt). Basis action continues to wobble as bushels move into the commercials' hands. On the March chart, the 20-day moving average at $4.68 is support with the fresh high at $4.92 3/4 as resistance. SOYBEANS: Soybean futures gapped lower on the open after the Argentina news, but have firmed back and remain 4 to 5 cents lower at midday with oil retaking the lead in the product complex. Meal is 8.00 to 9.00 lower and oil is 20 to 30 points higher. South America weather continues to keep overall concerns limited in the near term as early harvest will continue to grow. Weekly export sales were strong at 1.492 mmt with products easing a little with 208,700 of meal, and 2,900 of oil. Basis should stabilize and remain more toward flat in the near term. On the March chart, trade has support at the 20-day moving average at $10.22, with the fresh high at $10.73 1/2 the next level of resistance. WHEAT: Wheat futures are 7 to 10 cents lower at midday with long liquidation returning despite the sharply lower dollar as we remain rangebound overall. The Plains are expected to be mostly warmer and drier into the end of the month. MATIF wheat is sharply lower Friday morning as well with little change to Black Sea weather in the short term while the dollar continues to hold the lower end of the range as the spread remains flat there. Weekly export sales were soft at 164,800 metric tons (mt) of old crop, and 50,500 mt of new. On the KC March chart, support is the 20-day moving average at $5.56 with the Upper Bollinger Band at $5.76 as resistance. David Fiala can be reached at [email protected] Follow him on social platform X @davidfiala (c) Copyright 2025 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.