Dan Flynn is the writer of The Corn & Ethanol Report, a daily market letter covering grains, energies, and various global issues that are the driving force and backbone of the commodity markets. Contact Mr. Flynn at (312) 264-4374
We kickoff the day with ADP Employment Change Weekly at 7:15 A.M., Redbook YoY at 7:55 A.M., Fed Waller Speech at 8:00 A.M., Pending Home Sales MoM & YoY at 9:00 A.M., 6-Week Bill Auction 10:30 A.M., API Energy Stocks at 3:30 P.M., Fed Paulson Speech at 6:00 P.M., and Fed Venable Speech at 6:30 P.M.
Corn Rallied Monday Morning Following White House Fact Sheet Release:
Corn prices showed 13 to 16 cent gains early in Monday’s action. Futures closed Friday’s session with contracts falling 7 to 11 ¾ cents as July ended with losses of 15 ½ cents on the week. December was 12 ½ cents lower last week. Open Interest was down 13,481 contracts, suggesting some longs were coming off the table. The Commodity View national average cash corn price was down 11 cents to 416 ¾. On Sunday, the White House released a fact sheet on the US/China talks from last week , in part stating that, “China will purchase at least $17 billion per year of agricultural products in 2026 (prorated), 2027, and 2028, in addition to the soybean purchase commitments it made in October 2025.” The weekly CFTC update from Friday showed manages money paring back their net long position by 44,442 contracts in the week ending 5/12. That took their net long position in corn futures and options to 299,483 contracts. Export Sales data showed total corn commitments at 77.748 MMT as of May 7th after last week’s disappointing number. That is still a 25% increase year-over-year and is now 93% of the USDA forecast compared to the 95% average sales pace. Export shipments are 55.8 MMT, which is 69% of that number and running ahead of the 66% average pace. US fob prices are still competitive on the world market though a larger Argentine crop is cutting into that. According to Austin Schroeder – Barchart
Corn Planting Progress Still Below 50% in 2 States:
Key Take Aways;
*Michigan farmers have planted 47% of their crop, which is behind the five-year average of 52%.
*Pennsylvania farmers planted 43% of their corn crop, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 42%.
*Nationwide, 76% of the corn crop has been planted, which is ahead of the five-year average of 70%.
The USDA released it’s Crop Progress report yesterday, the seventh publication of the 2026 growing season. Nationwide, 76% of the corn crop has been planted, the department said. That’s slightly ahead of the five-year average of 70% and equal to last year at this time.
Michigan:
According to the March 31st Prospective Plantings report, Michigan farmers are expected to plant 2.25 million of acres of corn this year. This is down from 2.35 million acres in 2025, USDA said. The latest Crop Progress report said 47% of Michigan corn had been planted the week ended May 17th. This is 5 points behind the five-year average of 52%. Last year at this time, Michigan farmers had planted 60% of the crop. “Corn planting saw more significant progress this week,” said Beck’s Agronomist Aaron Brooker. Michigan farmers had 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork the week ended May 17th, according to USDA. That’s up 1 day from the week prior. Brookers reported, “Central Michigan, north of I-96 is nearly done with 95% planted. The thumb and West Michigan report about 80% completion. The rest of Michigan is at least 60% done.”
Pennsylvania
The 2026 Prospective Plantings report said Pennsylvania farmers are expected to plant 1 million acres last year, USDA reported. Monday’s Crop Progress report noted 43% of the state’s corn has been planted. This is slightly ahead of the five-year average of 42%. Last time at this time of year, 39% of Pennsylvania corn had been planted.
Other States:
Ten top corn-growing states, IL, IA, KY, MN, MO, NE, NC, SD, TN, and TX, report planting progress of75% or more. TN is the closest to completing the planting season with 96% of its corn crop in the ground. Farmers in CO, IN, KS, ND, OH, and WI have more than half of their corn cop, but less than 75%, planted.
Have A Great Trading Day!
Contact me directly with any questions or open a trading account at 1-888-264-5665 or dflynn@pricegroup.com.
Corn Rallies to Start Week. The Corn & Ethanol Report 05/19/2026
We kickoff the day with ADP Employment Change Weekly at 7:15 A.M., Redbook YoY at 7:55 A.M., Fed Waller Speech at 8:00 A.M., Pending Home Sales MoM & YoY at 9:00 A.M., 6-Week Bill Auction 10:30 A.M., API Energy Stocks at 3:30 P.M., Fed Paulson Speech at 6:00 P.M., and Fed Venable Speech at 6:30 P.M.
Corn Rallied Monday Morning Following White House Fact Sheet Release:
Corn prices showed 13 to 16 cent gains early in Monday’s action. Futures closed Friday’s session with contracts falling 7 to 11 ¾ cents as July ended with losses of 15 ½ cents on the week. December was 12 ½ cents lower last week. Open Interest was down 13,481 contracts, suggesting some longs were coming off the table. The Commodity View national average cash corn price was down 11 cents to 416 ¾. On Sunday, the White House released a fact sheet on the US/China talks from last week , in part stating that, “China will purchase at least $17 billion per year of agricultural products in 2026 (prorated), 2027, and 2028, in addition to the soybean purchase commitments it made in October 2025.” The weekly CFTC update from Friday showed manages money paring back their net long position by 44,442 contracts in the week ending 5/12. That took their net long position in corn futures and options to 299,483 contracts. Export Sales data showed total corn commitments at 77.748 MMT as of May 7th after last week’s disappointing number. That is still a 25% increase year-over-year and is now 93% of the USDA forecast compared to the 95% average sales pace. Export shipments are 55.8 MMT, which is 69% of that number and running ahead of the 66% average pace. US fob prices are still competitive on the world market though a larger Argentine crop is cutting into that. According to Austin Schroeder – Barchart
Corn Planting Progress Still Below 50% in 2 States:
Key Take Aways;
*Michigan farmers have planted 47% of their crop, which is behind the five-year average of 52%.
*Pennsylvania farmers planted 43% of their corn crop, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 42%.
*Nationwide, 76% of the corn crop has been planted, which is ahead of the five-year average of 70%.
The USDA released it’s Crop Progress report yesterday, the seventh publication of the 2026 growing season. Nationwide, 76% of the corn crop has been planted, the department said. That’s slightly ahead of the five-year average of 70% and equal to last year at this time.
Michigan:
According to the March 31st Prospective Plantings report, Michigan farmers are expected to plant 2.25 million of acres of corn this year. This is down from 2.35 million acres in 2025, USDA said. The latest Crop Progress report said 47% of Michigan corn had been planted the week ended May 17th. This is 5 points behind the five-year average of 52%. Last year at this time, Michigan farmers had planted 60% of the crop. “Corn planting saw more significant progress this week,” said Beck’s Agronomist Aaron Brooker. Michigan farmers had 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork the week ended May 17th, according to USDA. That’s up 1 day from the week prior. Brookers reported, “Central Michigan, north of I-96 is nearly done with 95% planted. The thumb and West Michigan report about 80% completion. The rest of Michigan is at least 60% done.”
Pennsylvania
The 2026 Prospective Plantings report said Pennsylvania farmers are expected to plant 1 million acres last year, USDA reported. Monday’s Crop Progress report noted 43% of the state’s corn has been planted. This is slightly ahead of the five-year average of 42%. Last time at this time of year, 39% of Pennsylvania corn had been planted.
Other States:
Ten top corn-growing states, IL, IA, KY, MN, MO, NE, NC, SD, TN, and TX, report planting progress of75% or more. TN is the closest to completing the planting season with 96% of its corn crop in the ground. Farmers in CO, IN, KS, ND, OH, and WI have more than half of their corn cop, but less than 75%, planted.
Have A Great Trading Day!
Contact me directly with any questions or open a trading account at 1-888-264-5665 or dflynn@pricegroup.com.
Thanks,
Dan Flynn
Questions? Ask Dan Flynn today at 312-264-4374