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 Dec. 21. 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 and webinar times are Central Standard Time unless otherwise noted.

1. A pause for the Claus: Markets will have an abbreviated week for the Christmas Day holiday. Commodity markets close early on Christmas Eve, and resume Friday morning. DTN's market coverage will wrap early afternoon on Wednesday, begin again with Early Word commentary Friday morning. Have a joyful holiday!

2. Corn/soy acre battle: The usual annual push/pull over U.S. soybean and corn acres has some unique twists this winter. While politicians keep promising increased soybean sales to China, the increasing yield predictions out of Brazil and Argentina may put a hard end date to China's winter orders from the U.S. If low bean prices move U.S. farmers to plant more corn and decrease soybeans in 2026, we may not have the 2026 crop to help China make good on its eventual import promises. We're squeezing the tea leaves for logical directions.

3. Dreaming of a warm Christmas?: Warm air takes over much of the central part of the country, which will reduce the chance of precipitation. Cold air stays mostly in Western Canada, and where that mass moves into U.S. border states there will be a couple of light snow/rain showers. Farther south, things will be mostly dry. That's not good for winter wheat, with Plains areas seeing a drop in soil moisture. Warm air also could awaken some wheat, which would reduce winter hardiness when cold air returns. In the Midwest, warm air will melt snow in those areas that have it, moving moisture into the soil. Some of that melt will get into the Mississippi River and tributaries, but river levels will remain low.

4. South American Weather: A front moves into southern Brazil on Sunday and may be stuck there for most of next week. Showers continue, especially in Mato Grosso and Goias and farther north, but we may see fewer showers across the east in Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo. Overall conditions continue to be either favorable or improving. In Argentina, this weekend's front should create widespread rainfall. It's expected to stall across the far north during the week. Soil moisture is still largely favorable across most of the country, favorable for developing corn and soybeans, favorable for developing corn and soybeans.

5. Reports due this week: Significant reports for the week ending Dec. 26: It is surely a slow one on Christmas week. With traders watching both for new China business and at weather in South America, the following reports are also ahead: Monday at 10 a.m. Grain Inspections and at 2 p.m. Milk Production. Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. is Delayed 3rd Q GDP, Durable Goods delayed (October), at 9 a.m. Consumer Confidence and New Residential Sales, and at 2 p.m. Hogs and Pigs and Poultry Slaughter. Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. is Initial Jobless Claims, and at 9:30 a.m. EIA weekly petroleum status including Ethanol production and inventory. At 10:30 a.m. Weekly Economic Index followed at 2 p.m. with Broiler Hatchery and Livestock Slaughter. Thursday (Christmas): NO reports. Friday at 7:30 a.m. is delayed Export Sales, and at 2 p.m., Slaughter Weekly.

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Bonus content: This week we'll see the third and final story in the Global Fertilizer Outlook series written by DTN Fertilizer Editor Russ Quinn. If you missed the first two, check out:

-- Global Fertilizer Outlook - 1. "2026 Nitrogen Prices Will Be Determined by Several Global Factors, Including N Supply," https://www.dtnpf.com/….

-- Global Fertilizer Outlook - 2, "Less Chinese Phosphorus Exports, Continuing Countervailing Duties Affect P 2026 Outlook," https://www.dtnpf.com/….

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