Top 5 Things to Watch

By DTN Staff

OMAHA (DTN) -- Here are the Top 5 things the DTN Newsroom is tracking for the week of May 18. Watch for coverage of these and other topics throughout the week on our subscription platforms as well as on DTNPF.com. Note that all report release times are Central Daylight Saving Time unless otherwise noted.

1. Cattle Herd Update: Friday afternoon we'll have the latest analysis of the USDA Cattle on Feed report. For a preview of that report, watch for DTN Livestock Analyst ShayLe Stewart's comments on Thursday.

2. Cooler Temps This Week: A second rain system will roll through the Ohio Valley early to mid-week on the heels of the weekend's storms, adding widespread rainfall potential. Temperatures will fall there and in many other regions, and much of the country will be on the cool side for the rest of May. The central and southern Plains could see rain through Tuesday with cooler temps raising the potential for frost. Similar conditions are expected in the Northern Plains, with frost potential on the backside of rainfall systems. The Delta stays wet, and continued flooding is possible.

3. World Weather Updates: We're expecting colder and wet conditions for the Canadian Prairies, slowing spring seedings but bringing welcome moisture to emerged crops. Farmers in southern Brazil should get some rains to help winter wheat crops, while much of central Europe remains on the dry side, as systems hitting Spain and Eastern Europe skip over central areas.

4. Continued Farm Bill Wrangling: As the weekend approached, the House Agricultural Committee was still attempting to get farm bill language out to the budget reconciliation package. Cuts to SNAP benefits continues to be the catch point between the two political parties as both sides look to update the farm program safety net from levels locked in from the previous farm bill.

5. Economic Reports this Week: Monday at 9 a.m., we'll see U.S. Leading Economic Indicators data, followed by Grain Inspections at 10 a.m. After 3 p.m., we'll have the weekly USDA Crop Progress report, along with DTN analysis. No reports on Tuesday. Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. is EIA's Weekly Petroleum Status, including ethanol production and stocks, followed by the Broiler Hatchery report at 2 p.m. Thursday reports start with the 7:30 a.m. release of Grain Export Sales and Initial Jobless Claims. Then, at 8:45 a.m., comes the S&P Flash Services and Manufacturing PMI. At 9 a.m. is Existing Home Sales data, and at 10:30 a.m., the Economic Index. At 2 p.m. is the release of Livestock Slaughter numbers. Friday, we'll see New Home Sales numbers at 9 a.m. At 2 p.m. is the Cattle-on-Feed report, while at 2:30 p.m. we'll see the weekly CFTC Commitment of Traders report.

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