In the overnight session the grains are trading lower with corn down 2 1/4 cents, soybeans down 1 cent and wheat down 4 3/4 cents. The U.S Dollar is trading up over a percent this morning and crude oil has slipped 68 cents. Japan is seeking to buy 100,262 metric tons of food quality wheat from the U.S or Canada in a regular tender closing tomorrow.
Heavy rains which ranged from 1-4 inches fell across Texas, Oklahoma and parts of Kansas causing localized flooding and adding to the concern of winter wheat crop quality. This is the 5th week in a row that significant rains have fallen throughout the southern plains. The southern plains are expected to receive more precipitation later on this week before the outlook turns drier once again.
Between 1/4 inch and 1 1/2 inch of rain fell throughout the majority of the Midwest this weekend providing excellent growing conditions for the newly seeded crop. Crop progress will be released at 3 PM CST today and will show the first crop condition ratings for corn. Last week the crop progress showed 85 percent planted with soybeans 45 percent complete.
UkrAgroConsult announced that it has raised its 2015 forecast for grain harvest to 54.9 million metric tons from 52.3 million in its previous estimate. The increased grain outlook was primarily due to revision higher in wheat production. Ukrainian farmers have planted 95 percent of acreage as of May 25th. SovEcon announced it expects Russia to harvest 95 million metric tons of grain this year down significantly from the 105 million metric tons last year.
