U.S. Ag Markets Reopen With Mixed Moves as Soybeans and Wheat Slip, Cattle Rise

Overview

• Soybean futures eased 3 to 4.5 cents on Friday in thin post-holiday trade, retracing part of this week’s pre-Christmas rally as cash beans ticked higher to $9.88 1/2.
• Wheat futures finished 1 to 3 cents lower but still logged weekly gains, with some commentary tying softness to a reported Sunday meeting between President Trump and Ukraine’s President Zelensky to discuss peace talks.
• Corn gave back 1 to 2 1/4 cents at midday after earlier strength, with export commitments at 47.579 MMT as of December 11, equal to 59% of USDA’s projection and 31% above last year.
• Live cattle closed 90 cents to $1.12 higher, supported by cash sales around $229–$230 per cwt that were steady to $2 above last week, even as boxed beef prices weakened.
• Key government releases were delayed to next week, with the next Export Sales report for the week ending December 18 due Wednesday, as traders also monitored favorable Argentine crop metrics.