Closing Market Report

The November 3, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report features analysis from Naomi Blohm on recent large U.S. corn export sales to Mexico, which historical data suggests could signal a market bottom and precede upcoming price rallies. Adam Wattson then details his Champaign County farm's transition to strip-till agriculture, explaining how the practice has reduced his equipment costs, altered his nitrogen management to liquid-only applications, and maintained yield consistency. Following this, Don Day provides a weather outlook, noting that a remarkably quiet and mild Pacific air mass across the U.S. will keep soil temperatures too warm for immediate fall anhydrous ammonia applications, while northern South America faces stormy conditions. The program concludes with a memorial tribute to Dale Orville Helms, a distinguished University of Illinois animal sciences alumnus.

01:36 Ag Markets with Naomi Blohm, Total Farm Marketing
09:19 Strip Till Transition, a farmer conversation
18:57 Ag Weather with Don Day, Day Weather
21:38 Remembering Dale Helms

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This episode of the Closing Market Report features discussions on agricultural commodity trends, fall specialty crops, and global weather impacts. Agricultural economist Ed Usset analyzes the recent downturn in crop and crude oil prices, noting that while soybeans are supported by strong crush demand, corn and wheat are struggling to find positive recovery signals. The broadcast then highlights two fall stories: the 75th anniversary of the USDA APHIS international pre-clearance program for imports like Dutch tulip bulbs, and a profile of Illinois's dominance in the processing pumpkin industry. Finally, Mark Russo from EverStream Analytics provides an agricultural weather outlook, covering harvest-slowing rains in the American Midwest, persistent dry conditions threatening Indonesian palm oil, and early-season planting weather across South America.

02:10 Commodity Markets Discussion with Ed Usset
11:43 Tulips and Pumpkins, a story for the fall
16:04 Ag Weather with Mark Russo, EverStream Analytics

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The October 30, 2026, broadcast of the *Closing Market Report* features host Todd Gleason discussing agricultural market dynamics and global weather impacts with industry experts. Mike Zuzolo of Global Commodity Analytics and Consulting analyzes how geopolitical tensions in the Black Sea and Middle East, combined with evolving U.S. biofuels policies, are influencing wheat, crude oil, corn, and soybean prices. Meteorologist Eric Snodgrass of Nutrien Ag Solutions then details the effects of an early polar vortex split on Midwest fall weather, noting a brief period of mild temperatures before a cold front, and evaluates delayed planting conditions and dry weather risks in Brazil's agricultural regions.

01:34 Ag Markets with Mike Zuzolo, Global Commodity Analytics and Consulting
12:21 Ag Weather with Eric Snodgrass, Nutrien Ag Solutions

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The October 29, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report, hosted by Todd Gleason, begins with a daily commodity market recap before transitioning into a special audio tour of the University of Illinois' Morrow Plots. Led by crop scientist Andrew Margenot, the tour celebrates the 150th anniversary of the world's oldest continuous crop rotation experiment, highlighting how a century and a half of specific planting practices and fertility treatments have impacted crop yields and depleted native prairie soil organic matter. The program concludes with an agricultural weather forecast from Mike Tannura of Tstorm Weather, who details an upcoming rain system expected to slow the harvest in the U.S. Corn Belt, varying moisture conditions for domestic winter wheat, and the ongoing wet and unusually cool weather patterns currently affecting crops in Brazil and Argentina.

02:04 Audio Tour of the Morrow Plots Crop Rotation Experiment
18:44 Ag Weather with Mike Tannura, Tstorm Weather

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The October 28, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report provides updates on commodity markets, alternative bioenergy crops, and global agricultural weather. Greg Johnson analyzes recent corn and soybean price declines driven by fund liquidation, while Andy VanLoocke details the agronomic behavior, nitrogen storage cycles, and commercial bioenergy applications of Miscanthus. Meteorologist Drew Lerner concludes with weather forecasts impacting near-term harvest progress in the U.S. Corn Belt and early-season planting conditions across South America.

00:31 Ag Markets with Greg Johnon, TGM Total Grain Marketing
06:23 Summit Explores Miscanthus Agronomy and Bioenergy Use
16:02 Ag Weather with Drew Lerner, World Weather Inc.

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This episode of the *Closing Market Report*, hosted by Todd Gleason, covers agricultural markets, emerging crops, and global weather forecasts. Naomi Blohm of Total Farm Marketing analyzes the commodity markets, noting the bearish impact of the Brazilian election on soybeans, oversold conditions in corn and wheat pointing toward a potential harvest low, and a friendly Cattle on Feed report indicating a stagnant herd size. Professor Emily Heaton from the University of Illinois discusses the first annual International Miscanthus Summit, highlighting miscanthus as a highly productive perennial grass that yields building materials, compostable packaging, and fuels while improving soil and water quality on underperforming farmland. Finally, Don Day of Day Weather provides an agricultural weather update, forecasting an end to the highly favorable Corn Belt harvest weather with a significant rain system approaching next week, alongside returning moisture for South American growing regions.

01:03 Ag Markets with Naomi Blohm, Total Farm Marketing
09:40 The 1st Annual International Miscanthus Summit
19:54 Ag Weather with Don Day, Day Weather

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In this October 26, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report, agricultural economist Joe Janzen analyzes current commodity trends, highlighting strong soybean exports, lagging corn sales, and the market headwinds caused by Brazil's recent elections. The program also details a recent USDA data processing error that temporarily skewed September corn yield estimates for Nebraska and Kansas. Finally, Everstream Analytics' Mark Russo provides a global agricultural weather update, covering harvest progress in the U.S. Corn Belt, winter wheat planting in the Plains, and soybean sowing conditions across South America.

00:39 Commodity Markets Discussion with Joe Janzen, University of Illinois
17:42 USDA Revises the September Crop Production Report
19:49 Ag Weather with Mark Russo, EverStream Analytics

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This edition of the Closing Market Report begins with commodity market analysis by Matt Bennett, who discusses recent soybean sales and variable corn yield reports impacting prices. The program then transitions to an agricultural news update covering a potential USDA harvest fuel relief program and ongoing Senate negotiations to pass a farm bill before the year ends. A feature segment by Hope Kirwan explores Sargento's development of a new natural American cheese designed to replicate the melt of processed cheese without using artificial emulsifiers. Finally, Mike Tannura provides a comprehensive agricultural weather forecast detailing wet conditions for hard red winter wheat, dry harvest weather in the eastern Corn Belt, and heavy rains across Brazil and Argentina driven by a strong El Niño.

01:39 Ag Markets with Matt Bennett, AgMarket
07:23 WILLAg News Update
10:40 A New American Slice for your Toasted Cheese
15:34 Ag Weather with Mike Tannura, Tstorm Weather

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The October 21, 2026, Closing Market Report covers late-stage corn and soybean harvest progress with Greg Johnson, noting strong soybean yields but disappointing corn returns due to lower prices and high input costs. Soil scientist Sam Indorante discusses the significance of resampling Illinois' oldest soil test site from 1861 to measure agricultural impacts over time. Finally, Drew Lerner provides a global weather outlook, highlighting beneficial moisture moving into dry regions of the US Corn Belt, Western Europe, and Australia.

01:06 Ag Markets with Greg Johnson, Total Grain Marketing
10:17 Resampling 1861 Prairie Site to Measure Soil Change
18:27 Ag Weather with Drew Lerner, World Weather Inc.

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The October 20, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report covers commodity market trends, the value of soil science, and regional agricultural weather. Brian Beckler of Total Farm Marketing analyzes recent fund liquidation and harvest pressure affecting corn and soybean prices, noting that long-term bullish factors like the Russia-Ukraine conflict and strong demand could eventually drive a market recovery. Next, soil scientist Kevin McSweeney discusses his career transition from studying land reclamation in Illinois strip mines to evaluating how agricultural practices alter soil profiles over time, emphasizing the importance of detailed soil surveys. Finally, Don Day of Day Weather provides a forecast detailing dry, warm conditions favorable for harvesting across the Corn Belt, with most near-term precipitation limited to the western United States.

01:30 Ag Markets with Brian Beckler, Total Farm Marketing
08:44 A Soil Science Journey
21:30 Ag Weather with Don Day, Day Weather

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This edition of the Closing Market Report covers commodity market movements, supply and demand estimates, and agricultural weather forecasts. Agricultural economist Ben Brown of the University of Missouri reviews disappointing September soybean crush numbers from NOPA, muted Chinese export demand following recent bilateral talks, and the impact of heavy managed money fund liquidation across corn, soybeans, and wheat. Former USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer analyzes whether last year's record corn crop was overstated, examining how statistical discrepancies in the feed and residual category obscure actual domestic disappearance, alongside emerging shifts in consumer meat demand driven by GLP-1 medications. Finally, Mark Russo of Everstream Analytics details a warm, dry forecast across the Corn Belt that will accelerate harvest progress while keeping soil temperatures above the 50-degree threshold required for fall anhydrous ammonia applications, alongside favorable planting conditions in South America.

00:45 Commodity Markets Discussion with Ben Brown, University of Missouri
12:49 Crop Size and Feed Usage, a Question or Two
20:44 Ag Weather with Mark Russo

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The October 16th edition of the Closing Market Report, hosted by Todd Gleason, provides an overview of agricultural markets, shifting consumer demands, and weather forecasts. Market analyst Mike Zuzolo discusses recent trends in the commodity markets, highlighting the influence of inflation, the value of the dollar, and new European export routes on crop prices. The program also features insights from CoBank's Brian Earnest, who explains how the increasing use of GLP1 medications is altering meat consumption, driving demand for protein-dense, leaner beef cuts and poultry. Finally, Eric Snodgrass offers an agricultural weather update, detailing a recent cold front across the Corn Belt, the upcoming harvest window, and the anticipated effects of a strong El Niño winter on both North and South American agriculture.

01:15 Ag Markets with Mike Zuzolo, Global Commodity Analytics and Consulting
07:53 GLP1s and Demand for Animal Proteins
10:59 Ag Weather with Eric Snodgrass, Nutrien Ag Solutions

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The October 15, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report opens with commodity market updates, noting lower closes for corn, soybeans, and wheat. Matt Bennett of AgMarket discusses completing harvest in central Illinois, rapid crop dry-down, local yield results, and current technical price pressures facing both corn and soybean futures. Jim McCormick highlights AgMarket's growth, including its rebrand and transition to becoming a guaranteed introducing broker clearing through StoneX, alongside its brokerage, consulting, and crop and livestock insurance services. A report from Stephanie Hoff and CoBank analyst Billy Roberts details how soaring cocoa prices, reduced sugar beet acreage, and pest pressures are pushing candy makers toward ingredient reformulation and smaller packages to combat consumer sticker shock. Finally, Mike Tannura of Tstorm Weather delivers an agricultural weather outlook, analyzing rain-delayed winter wheat planting in the Southern Plains, favorable harvest windows across the Corn Belt, and the broader impacts of a strong El Niño pattern on soil moisture and crops across Brazil and Argentina.

01:21 Ag Markets with Matt Bennett, AgMarket
06:42 AgMarket Grows, Rebrands, and has a new Clearing Firm
12:12 Candy Makers Grapple with Cocoa, Sugar Headwinds
16:32 Ag Weather with Mike Tannura, Tstorm Weather

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Watch the YouTube version of this program at the following link...

https://youtu.be/oYslOpCJWD0?si=W-ZxwAY4kmAXhPNB

Join our panel of agronomic and economic experts, alongside a real-world practitioner, for an in-depth discussion on fall and spring fertilizer management. As farmers face fluctuating input costs and changing weather patterns, making the right nutrient management decisions is more critical than ever.

In this video, the panel breaks down the latest on-farm research and economic data to help you optimize your fertilizer strategy. We cover the logistics of fall anhydrous applications, the importance of the 50-degree soil temperature rule, and how to maximize your Return on Investment (ROI) using Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) rates. The discussion also dives into practical strategies for managing Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) during times of high fertilizer prices, and wraps up with best practices for winter wheat fertility.

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In this Wednesday edition of the Closing Market Report, Greg Johnson of Total Grain Marketing highlights that the East Central Illinois soybean harvest is nearing 90% completion with strong yields, though early corn yields are falling 20 to 25 bushels short of last year's marks. Nationally, the USDA Crop Progress Report shows the soybean harvest making rapid gains, particularly in Minnesota, while the U.S. corn harvest lags slightly behind the five-year average. In agricultural news, a global diesel shortage is projected to extend into 2027, compounded by regional violence in the Middle East, alongside updates on federal pardons related to diesel emissions sensors under the Clean Air Act. Finally, World Weather Inc.'s Drew Lerner forecasts incoming rain and a season-ending freeze for parts of the U.S. Midwest, alongside a much-needed dry period for waterlogged crop regions in southern Brazil.

01:33 Ag Markets with Greg Johnson, Total Grain Marketing
09:52 Oct 13 Weekly Crop Progress Report
11:18 WILL TV to Air Morrow Plots 150th 7:30 Thursday
12:06 DEF Sensors, NOx Sensors, EPA, & Pardons
13:10 Saudi Arabia, Diesel Supplies, and Aramco
14:29 Ag Weather with Drew Lerner, World Weather Inc.

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The October 12, 2026, edition of the *Closing Market Report* opens with closing commodity settlement prices for corn, soybeans, wheat, livestock, and energy. Host Todd Gleason discusses recent USDA grain stocks and crop production reports with North Dakota State University Extension agricultural economist Frayne Olson, examining how harvest progress, feed and residual calculations, yield adjustments in Plains states, export pace, and the increased carry-in are impacting corn marketing decisions. In agricultural news, beef industry consultant Nevil Speer analyzes why the administration’s tariff-free foreign beef import quota has failed to significantly move retail ground beef prices, while StoneX vice president Josh Linville reviews international fertilizer supply disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East. The broadcast concludes with regional weather outlooks for key growing areas across the U.S. Corn Belt and Brazil.

02:11 Commodity Market Discussion with Frayne Olson, North Dakota State University

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The October 9, 2026, broadcast of the Closing Market Report features host Todd Gleason analyzing daily commodity markets and the latest USDA crop production estimates. Guest Mike Zuzolo of Global Commodity Analytics and Consulting reviews the unexpected upward revisions to domestic and global corn yields, noting that the data runs counter to recent market trends and creates new headwinds for prices. Additionally, Joshua Nagelberg of CropProphet outlines the agricultural weather forecast, highlighting an incoming wet pattern for the western Corn Belt and evaluating how the current El Nino weather event is impacting early planting conditions for South American crops.

01:32 Ag Markets with Mike Zuzolo, Global Commodity Analytics and Consulting
12:27 Ag Weather with Joshua Nagelberg, CropProphet

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The October 8, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report covers late-season harvest conditions and an exploration of global food systems. Host Todd Gleason first speaks with Matt Bennett of AgMarket.net, who notes that favorable dry-down weather has accelerated the harvest, with soybeans generally outperforming corn yields ahead of the upcoming USDA Crop Production report. The broadcast then shifts to an interview with Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth, co-directors of the documentary *World Without Cows*. The filmmakers discuss their travel to 22 countries to document the complex cultural, economic, and environmental roles cattle play worldwide, emphasizing the need for nuanced, non-polarizing conversations about agricultural sustainability and the diverse goals of global producers.

01:42 Ag Markets with Matt Bennett, AgMarket.net
06:46 Alltech's World without Cows Film

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