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 April 28. Watch for coverage of these and other topics through the week on our subscription platforms as well as on www.DTNPF.com. Note that all report release times are Central Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.

1. Planting progress: There have been a lot of spring crops put in the ground between rainstorms -- and it's also been a weekend of wild weather in the heart of the country. On Monday, we'll cover USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report, due out at 3 p.m., to get the national and state-by-state perspective as we get ready to roll into May.

2. Stormy weather: From Friday through the weekend, the Plains and Midwest have gone through several rounds of storms and severe weather, including an outbreak of dangerous tornadoes, heavy rain, large hail and high winds. As rural communities and cities cleaned up from the storm damage, there are areas starting the week with flood watches and warnings stretching from Kansas and Missouri down to the Gulf Coast. More rain is likely through the week and weekend. Areas that need rain will welcome the moisture. We'll especially watch Kansas, as drought continues to creep in there. In the Eastern Corn Belt and Delta, where it's been wet, farmer hope to be spared more rainfall. On top of watching planting progress around the storms, we'll keep tracking the potential for severe weather threats.

3. Aviation fuel ruling: We could see a final rule on what products qualify for the sustainable aviation fuel tax credit. Hanging in the balance is how ethanol fairs as such fuel, and a favorable ruling could lift some weight off corn prices.

4. Mental health special issue: This week, Progressive Farmer subscribers will receive the May issue, which features an in-depth package on mental health on the farm and in rural America. We'll look at the unique challenges farmers and ranchers face, from significant stress to limited access to options in rural areas. However, we'll also include the rays of hope -- including useful information to help maintain your mental wellness and how to help others. We'll kick off the coverage of those stories online later in the week.

5. Economic reports this week: Reports start Monday at 10 a.m. with U.S. Grain Inspections. At 2 p.m. we'll see livestock and meat data and the latest poultry production numbers, followed by USDA NASS's weekly Crop Progress report at 3 p.m. Then Tuesday includes 7:30 a.m. release of Employment Cost Index, then 8 a.m. S & P Case-Schiller Home Price Index. At 9 a.m. the latest Consumer Confidence numbers are released followed by 2 p.m. NASS Agricultural Prices report. Wednesday's reports include 7:15 a.m. ADP Employment numbers, 9 a.m. Construction Spending, ISM Manufacturing and Job Openings (JOLTS). At 9:30 a.m. is the EIA Weekly Petroleum numbers, including ethanol. At 1 p.m. the Fed's interest rate decision becomes public, followed by Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference at 1:30 p.m. At 2 p.m. we'll see the release of Broiler Hatchery, Fats and Oils, Flour Milling and Grain Crushings reports. Thursday starts with 7:30 a.m. release of Grain Export Sales, Initial Jobless Claims, U.S. Trade Balance and Productivity reports. At 9 a.m. the Factory Orders report hits, and at 10:30 a.m. is the Weekly Economic Index. Friday sees the U.S. Employment and Unemployment and the U.S. Hourly Wages reports at 7:30 a.m. At 2 p.m. is the Consumer Credit numbers, then the 2:30 pm. release of the CFTC's Commitment of Traders report.

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