In the News

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presents WEEKLY COMMODITY HIGHLIGHTS

Nearby Futures	Weekly Change	Friday's Close	Year Ago
Corn	+.01	7.25 ¼	6.45
Soybeans	+.44	15.08 ½	13.32 ½
Wheat	-.23 ¼	6.90	6.30 ½
Cattle	-2.40	127.55	126.65
Hogs	+.90	82.03	87.75
Cotton	+1.48	86.48	89.56
Milk	+.24	17.03	15.36
Crude Oil	+1.27	91.95	106.58

Comments: Strength in the value of the U.S. dollar remained a negative factor across agricultural commodity markets last week, while a better-than-expected U.S. employment report boosted the general economic outlook. It was a mixed week in the grain/soy complex futures as old-crop soybean futures rose on support from tight U.S. supplies and continued strong export demand amid loading delays at Brazilian ports. An unchanged U.S. soybean carryout estimate from USDA on Friday did not do much to ease supply concerns. Front-end corn futures were also supported by tight old-crop supplies, but felt pressure from continued weak export demand, while favorable precipitation in the U.S. Corn Belt drove 2013-crop futures lower. Wheat futures came under further pressure from improved moisture conditions in the U.S. Plains, technical weakness and forecasts for near-record world production in 2013-14. Livestock futures were broadly mixed with live cattle futures turning lower again on concerns a surge in beef prices would shut off consumer demand again and commodity fund technical selling. Lean hog futures were pressured by demand concerns much of the week, with USDA reporting January U.S. pork export sales down 15.1% from last year, but rebounded late in the week on a bounce in cash hog prices and technical short covering. Cotton futures were supported by strong export demand and a smaller U.S. carryout forecast. Click on the Brock logo or call 1-800-558-3431 for more info on our services.