Futures ended up slightly higher in yesterday's corn trading action. The Ukraine war and lower South American supplies helped fuel the rally to new highs. We also have to consider with plantings not coming out of the blocks, there is little margin for error, and we will need help from Mother Nature if the US is going to fill the hole or void in those markets.
Concerns about rains, tornadoes, and Derechos with 90-degree days and moisture in the Northeast & Midwest could help the crop mature, but more moisture could mean more severe storms. And that is what farmers and traders worry about in 2022. In the overnight electronic session, the July corn is currently trading at 814 ¼, which is ¾ of a cent higher. The trading range has been 817 ¾ to 809 ½.
On the ethanol front, higher ethanol use and strong exports offset a record 2021 corn yield. This comes when ethanol producers applaud Governors' year-round E15 move. There were no trades or open interest in ethanol futures.
The same old song keeps playing on the Crude oil front. Offshore, in the Gulf of Mexico, we have the most significant oil rig in the world that can produce 140 thousand barrels per day. Do the math… If the Keystone Pipeline, Anwar, and pipelines were not forced out of business by the current administration, we would not be talking about energy independence. We would have it, and that should be more than enough proof that this is a National Security issue. In the overnight electronic session, the June crude oil is currently trading at 10671, which is 135 points higher. The trading range has been 10690 to 10454.
On the natural gas front, Germany's ban on Russian energy supports the market today after yesterday's down day. We will see if the EU sticks to its guns and does not fund the Russian war machine. In the overnight electronic session, the June natural gas is currently trading at 7.114, which is o.226 higher. The trading range has been 7.168 to 6.805.