08/17/26 Crop Damage, Yield Potential Assessments Start Today

08/17/2026 Click Above to Watch the Morning Market Talk Video Crop Damage, Yield Potential Assessments Start Today On the Grains Corn and soybean futures built on last week’s strong gains overnight amid crop concerns. The assessment of damage from last week’s storms and yield potential will a focal point as Pro Farmer Crop Tour samples fields across seven Corn Belt states this week (see “Ag Headlines and Hotlines” below for details and insider insights). Winter wheat markets pulled back from last week’s strong gains, despite ongoing Black Sea attacks.Forecasts call for seasonal to slightly below-normal temperatures and rainfall chances this week, though they won’t be nearly as heavy rains seen across from eastern Nebraska through Ohio last week. The two-week forecast indicates slightly elevated temps and near-normal rainfall for most of the Corn Belt. Chinese demand for U.S. soybeans will remain a focal point. USDA has announced daily new-crop soybean sales for four straight days as China’s state-owned firms continue to make goodwill purchases ahead of President Trump’s planned meeting with Xi Jinping in Washington in late September. Meanwhile, Chinese state stockpiler Sinograin will auction another 361,728 MT of state-owned soybeans procured from 2022 to 2025 – mostly 2022 –…