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 Sept. 20. Watch for coverage of these and other topics throughout the week on our subscription platforms as well as on www.DTNPF.com.

Note that all report release times are Central Daylight Savings Time unless otherwise noted.

1. Cattle Make Headlines: Last week's Cattle on Feed report showed the lowest August marketings in 30 years, with a slight (1%) increase in total head on feed. We'll track how that plays against the expected reopening of the port of entry in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on Thursday. For our analysis of the latest Cattle on Feed report, see here: https://www.dtnpf.com/…

2. U.S., China Meet: Will this week's meeting between President Trump and China's President Xi reiterate the White House's claim that China will agree to purchase an additional $17 billion in U.S. agricultural products in 2027? Could additional corn sales be part of that goal?

3. Weather This Week: In the northern Plains, heavy rains and potential flooding over the weekend should lead to drier conditions through this week. In the Delta, hot and dry conditions are likely to continue, aiding harvest but deepening drought. Showers are more likely in the southwestern Plains. Harvest continues to be well behind schedule in the Canadian Prairies, and many areas remain wet, leading to quality issues. However, drier and somewhat warmer conditions are forecast for much of this week, which could be a bit more favorable.

4. Diesel Prices Set Record: We'll continue to watch the ramifications of record diesel and other input prices as combines and hay balers bring in the 2026 harvest.

5. Reports Due This Week: Monday at 10 a.m., Grain Inspections. At 2 p.m., Chicken and Eggs report. At 3 p.m., we'll have the latest USDA Crop Progress report with DTN analysis of the numbers. Tuesday at 2 p.m., Milk Production. Wednesday at 8:45 a.m., U.S. Flash Manufacturing and Services PMIs. At 9:30 a.m., EIA's Weekly Petroleum Status, including ethanol production and stocks. At 2 p.m., Broiler Hatchery data. Thursday at 7:30 a.m., Grain Export Sales and Weekly Jobless Claims. At 9 a.m., New Home Sales, then at 10 a.m., the Kansas City Fed Survey. At 10:30 a.m. Weekly Economic Index. At 2 p.m., Hogs and Pigs and Livestock Slaughter and Slaughter Weekly. Friday at 7:30 a.m. Durable Goods data for August. At 9 a.m., University of Michigan Final Consumer Survey for September. At 2 p.m., Poultry Slaughter and Turkeys Raised data are released. At 2:30 p.m., the CFTC's Commitment of Traders report.

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