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Closing Market Report

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

May 13 | Closing Market Report

- Ag Markets with Greg Johnson
- Ragged Corn but a Good Start for IL Crops
- Ag Weather with Drew Lerner

In the May 13, 2026 edition of the Closing Market Report, host Todd Gleason discusses agricultural markets, planting progress, and weather conditions with three industry experts. 

Greg Johnson of TGM highlights a recent market rally driven by USDA significantly lowering yield and acreage estimates for hard red winter wheat, and he advises farmers to consider catching up on soybean crop sales while prices remain high. '

Next, University of Illinois agronomist Giovani Preza Fontes reports that Illinois corn and soybean planting is ahead of schedule, noting that the crops are off to a solid start despite some uneven emergence caused by fluctuating April temperatures. 

Finally, meteorologist Drew Lerner forecasts welcome warming across the Midwest corn belt, though he warns that impending heat and low humidity will further stress the already struggling hard red winter wheat crops in the High Plains.

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May 12 | Closing Market Report

- Ag Markets with Naomi Blohm
- WILLAg News | Senate Farm Bill, Beef Imports, Trump v Xi
- E15 Supports Hold Press Conference on the Capitol Steps
- Ag Weather with Don Day

The May 12, 2026, Closing Market Report details a confluence of critical agricultural market data, legislative stalemates, and international trade developments. 

Market analyst Naomi Blohm noted that while the latest USDA WASDE report offered a surprising bump in soybean export and crush demand, markets remain hesitant ahead of a highly anticipated Beijing summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, where U.S. Senators are already heavily lobbying for increased agricultural exports. 

Domestically, agricultural policy faces significant friction; Senator Charles Grassley indicated the Senate farm bill is likely stalled over SNAP reform disputes, and the Trump administration's move to increase beef import flexibility has divided the domestic cattle industry. Conversely, bipartisan momentum is building in the House for permanent, year-round E15 fuel legislation, championed by Representative Nikki Budzinski as a crucial stabilizer for rural economies. 

Meteorologically, the U.S. Corn Belt is expected to transition from an unseasonably cool pattern to warmer, stormier conditions, while Brazil’s safrinha corn region trends unfavorably dry.

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May 11 | Closing Market Report

- Ag Markets with Curt Kimmel
- International Year of the Woman Farmer Commentary
- Phosphorus Loads & Streambanks

The May 11, 2026, Closing Market Report hosted by Todd Gleason covers agricultural market trends, policy commentary, and soil research. Curt Kimmel of agmarket.net analyzes market dynamics, emphasizing the influence of upcoming USDA crop reports, planting progress, and commodity funds on corn and soybean prices. Gleason follows with a brief commentary questioning the Trump administration's unexplained decision to deny appointments to four women on the United Soybean Board. In the final segment, University of Illinois soil scientist Andrew Margenot details his research on streambank erosion, explaining it as a major non-point source of phosphorus pollution in waterways and outlining mitigation strategies such as buffering wetlands and reconsidering ditch channelization.

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May 08 | Closing Market Report

- Ag Markets with Mike Zuzolo

- Power, Politics, and Pushback on Data Centers

- Ag Weather with Eric Snodgrass

The May 8, 2026, Closing Market Report covers agricultural markets, local infrastructure debates, and weather forecasts. Market analyst Mike Zuzolo notes a sharp rise in soybean prices, driven by energy market fluctuations and anticipation of soybean orders from an upcoming Trump-Xi summit in China. 

Lincoln resident Allison Isley voices community opposition to a proposed 500-megawatt hyperscale data center in Logan County, citing concerns over its massive power consumption, environmental impact, and disruption to the rural quality of life. 

Finally, meteorologist Eric Snodgrass outlines a weather forecast featuring a transition from a cool, wet early May to warmer, drier conditions suitable for planting, while warning of an unprecedented upcoming El Niño event that could significantly impact global summer weather and South American crop yields.

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May 07 | Closing Market Report

- Ag Markets with Matt Bennett
- WILLAg News Update | USDA, USB, Women, and SNAP
- Applied Research Results from the University of Illinois
- Ag Weather with Mike Tannura

The May 7, 2026, episode of the Closing Market Report features a variety of agricultural updates, beginning with analyst Matt Bennett discussing the sideways trade in corn futures, planting delays caused by wet Midwestern weather, and the impact of crude oil prices and international politics on oilseed markets. 

Additionally, the program covers agricultural news, noting the USDA's unexplained dismissal of several United Soybean Board members and the implementation of stricter nutritional stocking requirements for retailers in the SNAP program. 

University of Illinois entomologist Nick Seiter also joins the broadcast to highlight the newly published 2025 Applied Research Results guide, which offers farmers independent data on pest control and new findings concerning the northern corn rootworm. 

Finally, meteorologist Mike Tannura provides a global weather outlook, detailing severe drought concerns for the U.S. hard red winter wheat crop, favorable planting conditions in the Northwestern Corn Belt, the onset of the dry season for Brazil's safrinha corn, and beneficial rains expected across Europe and Russia.

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May 06 | Closing Market Report

- Ag Markets with Greg Johnson
- Asking County Boards to Site Data Centers is an Unfair Thing
- Pope Leo's Food Waste Petition and Prayer
- Ag Weather with Drew Lerner

The May 6, 2026, broadcast of the Closing Market Report, hosted by Todd Gleason from the Land-Grant university in Urbana-Champaign, covers commodity market trends, the agricultural impact of data centers, food waste, and regional weather forecasts. 

Analyst Greg Johnson reports that declining crude oil prices and anticipated average U.S. crop yields are pressuring corn and soybean markets. Agricultural policy specialist Jonathan Coppess criticizes the shifting of responsibility onto local county boards for siting large data centers, citing the facilities' immense and unsustainable consumption of farmland, water, and electricity. Additionally, Gleason highlights the ADM Institute for Post-Harvest Loss's efforts to reduce global grain waste, referencing a related public message by Pope Leo XIV. 

Concluding the report, meteorologist Drew Lerner predicts frost risks for winter wheat in Kansas and Colorado, ongoing drought conditions in Nebraska, and incoming rain that will benefit southern portions of Brazil's Safrinha corn crop.

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May 05 | Closing Market Report

- Ag Markets with Naomi Blohm
- Data Center Discussion with Google's Liz Scwhab
- Ag Weather with Don Day

The May 5, 2026, Closing Market Report covers agricultural commodities, tech infrastructure, and regional weather updates. Market analyst Naomi Blohm highlights recent multi-year highs in corn and soybean prices, advising farmers to capitalize on these prices ahead of upcoming USDA reports and potential market volatility. 

Next, Google infrastructure manager Liz Schwab addresses common community concerns regarding hyperscale data centers, detailing their operational noise levels, water usage, and the company's approach to funding local electrical grid and infrastructure upgrades. 

Finally, meteorologist Don Day provides a weather outlook for the Corn Belt and High Plains, noting a beneficial late-season snowstorm for western wheat areas, while highlighting persistent and concerning drought conditions across Nebraska and western Iowa.


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May 04 | Closing Market Report

- Ag Markets with Curt Kimmel
- Pesticide Resistant Alfalfa Weevils
- Search Google for cropCentral
- Commodity Markets with Ed Usset
- Ag Weather with Mark Russo

The May 4, 2026, Closing Market Report highlights a strong rally in agricultural commodities, with corn and soybeans experiencing significant gains driven by global events, high crude oil prices, and speculative fund buying. Market analysts Curt Kimmel and Ed Usset emphasize that farmers should immediately capitalize on these higher price levels—such as $5.00 for December corn and $12.00 for November soybeans—to lock in profitable new-crop sales. 

In agronomic updates, entomologist Nick Seiter reports increasing pyrethroid insecticide resistance in alfalfa weevils across the Midwest and encourages producers to participate in a regional management survey. Finally, agricultural meteorologist Mark Russo notes that while the U.S. Corn Belt has faced unseasonably cold and dry weather, planting continues at a steady pace, and Europe is forecasted to receive beneficial rainfall to relieve recent dry conditions.

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May 01 | Closing Market Report

- Ag Markets with Mike Zuzolo, GlobalCommResearch.com  
- Ag Weather with Eric Snodgrass, NutrienAgSolutions.com


The May 1, 2026, Closing Market Report features agricultural insights from market analyst Mike Zuzolo and meteorologist Eric Snodgrass. 

Zuzolo highlights that corn and wheat prices are currently finding support from energy markets, delayed U.S. planting due to poor weather, and a historic drought threatening Brazil's second-crop safrinha corn. He also warns of a deteriorating U.S. hard red winter wheat crop and potential energy market disruptions stemming from ongoing tensions in the Middle East. 

On the weather front, Snodgrass recaps the recent severe storms and tornadoes across Illinois, forecasting a shift toward cooler, drier conditions for the first half of May that will bring regional frost risks. Looking ahead to the summer, Snodgrass notes that a developing El Niño and current Pacific Ocean temperatures suggest the Midwest may experience a stormier, cooler-than-average season rather than extreme, yield-threatening heat.

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Apr 30 | Closing Market Report

- Ag Markets with Matt Bennett, @AgMarket_Net
- US House Passes Farm Bill Legislation
- Illinois Farm Financials Reviewed
- Ag Weather with Mike Tannura, @TstormWeather

This April 30, 2026, Closing Market Report covers updates on agricultural markets, farm legislation, farm financials, and global weather. Analyst Matt Bennett noted that heavy rains have paused Midwest farming activities, while severe, persistent drought in the western plains has likely caused irreversible damage to the hard red winter wheat crop. 

On the legislative front, Jonathan Coppess reported that the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a modernized farm bill, though it faces an uncertain future and significant challenges in the Senate. 

Reviewing farm financials, Brad Zwilling explained that while average farm debt-to-asset ratios have remained stable at 18%, the debt per acre has climbed to nearly $900, which is driving up interest expenses for producers. 

Finally, meteorologist Mike Tannura confirmed the severe drought damage to southern winter wheat and observed that while the southeastern Corn Belt is experiencing cool, wet weather that may slow crop growth, the drier conditions in the northwest are currently providing an ideal environment for planting.

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