Cash Market Moves

The office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is proposing fees on Chinese-made ships entering U.S. ports, which could be financially detrimental to U.S. businesses, including the agricultural industry.

In their annual early season planting survey, the National Cotton Council reports 2025 U.S. cotton acres will fall, opening the door for corn to fill the gap.

The Twin Ports of Duluth-Superior reported a strong year for grain tonnage in 2024.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange announced it will launch micro grain and oilseed futures contracts to include corn, Chicago wheat, soybean, soybean meal and soybean oil.

One day after the inauguration of Donald Trump, a new chairman was named to head the STB.

Shipping season will end on the Great Lakes for the winter as the last of the Soo Locks close on Jan. 15.

Late Jan. 8, the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) announced a tentative contract agreement.

The Bulk Carrier Vessel Federal Biscay left Duluth Saturday evening, becoming the last oceangoing departure of the 2024 Duluth-Superior navigation season.

U.S. farmers harvested a near-record crop in 2024 even after a wet spring in some areas stalled planting.

The last tow leaving St. Paul, Minnesota, on Dec. 1 put an end to the 2024 shipping season on the far Upper Mississippi River. In the meantime, levels on the Lower Mississippi River are falling again.

Just as renewed contract talks began between International Longshoremen's Association and United States Maritime Alliance, they quickly ended as automation once again became a sticking point with the union.

The Longshore Workers Union (ILWU 514) issued a 72-hour strike notice to the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) on Nov. 4; the BCMEA then issued a lock out of workers that same day.

According to the North Dakota Wheat Commission 2024 crop quality reports for durum and spring wheat, both crops overall graded number one, with proteins lower than average for spring wheat and higher for durum.

CME announced the resetting of price limits for grain and oilseed futures as of Nov. 1, 2024; its variable price-limit mechanism enacted in March 2014, resets price limits every six months in each of the CBOT grain and oilseed contracts.

The Mississippi River at Memphis and other spots in the Lower Mississippi River continue to fall without much long-term relief in sight.

U.S. Wheat Associates recently published a first look at results of the U.S. 2024 soft red and hard red winter wheat crops, noting that both crops overall were good quality for bakers and exporters.

Hurricane Helene provided some relief to the Lower Mississippi River, but with the return of dry conditions, water levels are expected to drop.

Dockworkers on strike at 36 U.S. ports have a tentative agreement, temporarily suspending the port strike.

At 12:01 a.m. EDT on Oct. 1, members of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) walked off the job at 36 ports East Coast and Gulf ports.

Many mayors from towns along the Mississippi River gathered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Sept. 18 as part of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative's 13th annual meeting.