Closing Market Report logo

Closing Market Report

Today's wrap-up on the agricultural markets: news, analysis, and weather

Jul 09 | Closing Market Report

This July 9, 2026, edition of the *Closing Market Report*, hosted by Todd Gleason, covers agricultural markets, weather forecasts, and a local wildlife rescue. Matt Bennett of AgMarket.net begins by analyzing recent commodity market fluctuations, attributing the downturn to profit-taking ahead of the upcoming July WASDE report and shifting weather expectations. The program then takes a unique turn as Gleason recounts his unexpected absence the previous day, which involved coordinating with an arborist and the local Wildlife Medical Clinic to return a fallen baby Cooper's Hawk to its 65-foot-high nest. Finally, Mike Tannura of Tstorm Weather outlines the complexities of the upcoming 10-to-14-day weather models, highlighting the tension between a potential Midwestern heat dome and cooler Canadian air, while noting that current soil moisture remains largely adequate for the critical crop pollination period.

01:33 Ag Markets with Matt Bennett, AgMarket.net
07:37 Putting a Cooper's Hawk Chick Back in its Nest
15:44 Ag Weather with Mike Tannura, Tstorm.net

★ Support this podcast ★

Jul 08 | Closing Market Report

The July 8, 2026, edition of the *Closing Market Report* covered commodity market fluctuations, regional agricultural updates, and international weather conditions. Farm broadcaster Todd Gleason hosted the program, noting that while the final numbers from the CME Group were unavailable, grain markets faced downward pressure due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, contrasting with a notable rise in crude oil prices. Greg Johnson of Total Grain Marketing discussed a 50% retracement on corn charts following the June crop report, outlining local crop conditions in Illinois and evaluating market dynamics like basis levels and Chinese export demand. The broadcast previewed four upcoming University of Illinois Extension and Crop Sciences field days across July, including events at the Orr Center, Heyworth, Monmouth, and Dixon Springs. Finally, Drew Lerner of World Weather Inc. provided an ag weather outlook, highlighting severe heat and moisture deficits hitting the northwestern Corn Belt and northern Plains, alongside extreme drought stress affecting crops across France and parts of Western Europe.

00:58 Ag Markets with Greg Johnson, Total Grain Marketing
08:56 Four Field Days to Close Out July
12:11 Ag Weather with Drew Lerner, World Weather Inc.

★ Support this podcast ★

Jul 07 | Closing Market Report

This edition of the Closing Market Report covers the latest developments in agricultural commodity markets, crop progress, and regional weather forecasting. Host Todd Gleason opens with commodity price updates before talking with Naomi Blohm of Total Farm Marketing, who details a recent technical recovery bounce driven by hot, dry weather patterns and underscores the market significance of the upcoming July WASDE report. The program also reviews the nationwide USDA NASS Crop Progress Report, highlighting that corn, soybean, and winter wheat developments are running well ahead of their historic five-year averages. A feature from Harvest Public Media examines the ongoing regulatory and ecological challenges surrounding the volatile herbicide dicamba and its propensity for off-target drift. Finally, meteorologist Don Day warns of an intense, unseasonable "heat dome" set to bring triple-digit temperatures and dry conditions to the northern Corn Belt, establishing a unique weather pattern wrapped by an outer ring of moisture.

02:19 Ag Markets with Naomi Blohm, Total Farm Marketing
09:32 USDA NASS Crop Progress Report
11:58 CropProtectionNetwork.com to Monitor Disease
13:48 Dicamba, EPA, and U.S. Farmers
18:06 Ag Weather with Don Day, Day Weather

★ Support this podcast ★

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.net
07:20 Bayer Requests Glyphosate Import Protections
08:00 Scout for Corn Aphids
09:12 Farm Bill Legislation May Attempt to Move Foreign Food Aid
10:54 Commodity Market Discussion with Ed Usset, University of Minnesota
18:04 Ag Weather with Mark Russo, EverStream Analytics

★ Support this podcast ★

July 4th | Independence, Agricultural Adaptation, and the Land

This 4th of July program, hosted by Todd Gleason, explores the history of agricultural adaptation and innovation in the United States, drawing a parallel to the founding spirit of the Declaration of Independence. The broadcast features three historical segments detailing the evolution of primary row crops and soil management practices. It traces the genetic development of corn from early flint and dent crosses to modern commercial hybrids, emphasizing the narrowing of its genetic base. It also highlights the pioneering no-till farming experiments at University of Illinois Extension's Dixon Springs research farm, which revolutionized soil conservation by drastically reducing soil erosion in Southern Illinois. Finally, the program outlines the domestication of the soybean, its introduction to North America by sailors and agricultural explorers, and the critical importance of preserving its genetic diversity to protect future crops against pests and diseases.

00:00 July 4th | Independence, Agricultural Adaptation, and the Land
01:24 Declaration of Independence
05:59 A History of Corn with Forrest Troyer
16:03 No-Till Preserves Soils and Independence
19:40 A History of the Soybean with Ted Hymowitz

★ Support this podcast ★

Jul 02 | Closing Market Report

The July 2, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report highlights commodity settlements and a shift toward a weather-driven market. Analyst Matt Bennett and industry leaders discuss the agricultural risks of the USMCA entering an annual review process rather than an automatic renewal, while Representative Angie Craig connects rising farm bankruptcies to current trade policies and reduced food assistance. On the agronomic front, entomologist Nick Seiter advises producers to scout for corn leaf aphids during early reproductive crop stages, though he notes severe outbreaks are rare. Finally, meteorologist Mike Tannura forecasts near-term cooling for Illinois and outlines competing mid-July models that predict either a beneficial cool front or a persistent heat dome during the critical corn pollination window.

02:13 Ag Markets with Matt Bennett, AgMarket.net
07:06 WILLAg News Update for July 2, 2026
11:28 Corn Leaf Aphids – when to scout and what to expect
16:00 Ag Weather with Mike Tannura, T-storm Weather

Click here to view the episode transcript.

★ Support this podcast ★

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, TGM
13:39 Ag Weather with Drew Lerner, World Weather, Inc

Click here to view the episode transcript.
★ Support this podcast ★

Jun 30 | Closing Market Report

The June 30, 2026, broadcast of the Closing Market Report, hosted by Todd Gleason, provides a comprehensive look at agricultural markets, conservation practices, and weather forecasts. The program begins with Naomi Blohm of Total Farm Marketing analyzing the morning's USDA grain stocks and acreage reports, noting that while corn and soybean acreages aligned closely with expectations, a significant drop in winter wheat harvested acres due to drought offered some market support. The focus then shifts to a University of Illinois Extension conservation cropping initiative featuring a panel discussion with farmers Brent Fowler, Adam Dahmer, and Greg Thoren. They share their personal experiences overcoming familial skepticism, equipment limitations, and the necessary mindset shifts required to successfully adopt no-till practices and multi-species cover crops. Finally, returning meteorologist Ed Kieser delivers the agricultural weather outlook, forecasting intense heat across the Corn Belt leading into the holiday weekend, with scattered, "ridge-riding" thunderstorms expected along the edge of a high-pressure system before slightly cooler temperatures arrive the following week.

01:05 Ag Markets with Naomi Blohm, Total Farm Marketing
07:49 Cover Crop Conversations: cultural and mindset shifts
18:53 Ag Weather with Ed Kieser, Illinois Public Media

★ Support this podcast ★

Jun 29 | Closing Market Report

This broadcast of the Closing Market Report from June 29, 2026, hosted by Todd Gleason, provides a comprehensive overview of commodity markets, agricultural policy, industry data, and global weather patterns. The program begins with an assessment of the grain markets, noting a broad downward trend in corn, soybean, and wheat futures ahead of the upcoming USDA reports. Guest analyst Sue Martin shares regional crop insights from North Central Iowa, highlighting favorable crop appearances due to timely rains and structured planting rotations. She anticipates potential shifts in acres toward soybeans in the upcoming government data and outlines market expectations for a July low followed by a demand-driven rally tied to international trade developments with China.

The report transitions into federal regulatory updates, highlighting the USDA's finalization of a voluntary regenerative feedstock rule linked to low-carbon biofuel markets and the federal 45Z credit. The program also touches on a joint university study tracking rural concerns regarding the expansion of AI data centers, as well as new bipartisan legislation designed to train local extension agents to counter the spread of the New World screwworm pest. In livestock industry updates, recent USDA NASS figures are presented, showing a total US hog and pig inventory of 73.7 million head alongside steady weaning averages. This is followed by a discussion on legislative friction regarding California's Prop 12 standards and a Supreme Court decision affecting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants, which may tighten labor supplies for food processors and meatpackers.

The final segment features an ag weather analysis with Mark Russo of EverStream Analytics, detailing an immediate heat wave and high humidity building across the Corn Belt and the Central and Eastern United States. Russo reports an increase in short-term environmental stress across multiple livestock sectors—including Plains beef cattle, Midwestern poultry and swine operations, and East Coast facilities—though high winds and projected ridge shifts are expected to offer regional relief and more normalized temperatures by the following week. Additionally, the forecast indicates a low threat of disruptive heat during domestic corn pollination throughout July, while contrasting these developments with an intensifying, multi-wave European heat wave breaking all-time temperature records in Germany and Poland and compounding summer crop deficits across Western and Eastern Europe.

01:22 Ag Markets with Sue Martin, Ag and Investment Services
08:31 WILLAg News for June 29, 2026
11:52 Considering Pork Industry News
15:08 Ag Weather with Mark Russo, EverStream Analytics

★ Support this podcast ★

Jun 26 | Closing Market Report

cmr260626

The June 26, 2026, broadcast of the Closing Market Report, hosted by Todd Gleason from the Land Grant University in Urbana-Champaign, features expert analysis on agricultural commodities and weather forecasting. In the markets segment, Mike Zuzolo of GlobalCommResearch highlights the potential market impact of the upcoming USDA crop acreage and grain stocks reports. Zuzolo notes that commodity prices are currently driven more by macroeconomic factors—such as a strong US dollar, currency devaluations in Russia and Japan, and crude oil trends—than by agricultural supply-and-demand fundamentals. He cautions that unless these fundamental reports shift investor focus and establish market lows by early July, producers will need to adopt more defensive market strategies.

During the weather segment, Eric Snodgrass of Nutrien Ag Solutions reviews a highly active June characterized by heavy rainfall and a record number of tornadoes across Illinois, which effectively eliminated local drought conditions but heightened the risk of crop disease. Looking ahead, Snodgrass forecasts a significant heat wave persisting through mid-July, caused by a stationary atmospheric wave that will keep both daytime and overnight temperatures high. Fortunately, excessive soil moisture will help mitigate heat stress on local crops by generating hyper-local, cooling thunderstorms, though Snodgrass warns that the stationary ridge poses a severe, immediate drought risk for states situated closer to its epicenter, such as Missouri and Kansas.

01:34 Ag Markets with Mike Zuzlo, GlobalCommResearch 
10:53 Ag Weather with Eric Snodgrass, NutrienAgSolutions

★ Support this podcast ★