Grain markets have shown mixed movement as traders react to uncertainty surrounding acreage expectations, input costs and global influences affecting agriculture. Analysts say shifting fertilizer and fuel prices, along with outside pressure from energy markets, continue to create volatility in corn, soybean and wheat trade. Market analyst Bill Moore of Price Futures Group says multiple factors are contributing to uncertain trade patterns.
“We’ve got an interesting week ahead of us. It’s a short week because we’re off on Good Friday… there’s just a lot of balls in the air this week, a lot of volatility. The big story today is bean oil… crude up today three to four dollars, helping the beans.”
Moore says changing input costs and global tensions may influence final planting decisions this spring as producers monitor profitability outlooks. Meanwhile, livestock markets continue to show strength in cattle due to tight supplies and steady consumer demand, particularly as herd numbers remain historically low.
“The numbers just aren’t there in the cattle… the lowest cattle herd in 70-some years… we continue with the lower slaughters. The demand is good… people like their burgers, they like their steaks. We’re in the best demand period of the year.”
Bill Moore made his comments as part of the Closing Market Podcast on Monday (3/30/26) from the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network which can be found here: https://iowaagribusinessradionetwork.com/podcasts/
