Closing Market Report

Hosted by Todd E. Gleason

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Episodes

1221

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Established 1985 The Closing Market Report airs weekdays at 2:06pm central on WILL AM580, Urbana. University of Illinois Extension Farm Broadcaster Todd Gleason hosts the program. Each day he asks commodity analysts about the trade in Chicago, delves deep into the global growing regions weather, and talks with ag economists, entomologists, agronomists, and others involved in agriculture at the farm and industry level. website: willag.org twitter: @commodityweek

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60 recent

August 26, 2026Episode 1042323 min

Aug 26 | Closing Market Report

The August 26, 2026, broadcast of the Closing Market Report features three primary segments covering agricultural markets, community programs, and weather forecasts. Greg Johnson of TGM analyzes a significant recent rally in commodity prices, attributing the gains to global supply-side pressures and the Pro Farmer crop tour, while advising producers to capitalize on current profitable margins. The program then shifts to farmer and broker Garrett Toay, who highlights the localized benefits of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library on early childhood literacy. Finally, Drew Lerner of World Weather Inc. examines global and domestic weather patterns, utilizing historical El Niño data to project a warmer, drier trend for the western Corn Belt and stabilizing conditions in the eastern regions. 01:17 Ag Markets with Greg Johnson, TGM 10:49 Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and a Farmer's Family 13:59 Ag Weather with Drew Lerner, World Weather Inc ★ Support this podcast ★

August 25, 2026Episode 1042223 min

Aug 25 | Closing Market Report

This is a summary of the August 25, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report. In today's program, Naomi Blohm of Total Farm Marketing analyzed current agricultural markets, highlighting an inside trading day for corn and beans while cautioning that a lack of fresh bullish news could lead to a near-term price pullback. She also emphasized the ongoing impacts of Canadian trade tensions and global conflicts on market stability. The broadcast then detailed practical cover crop and no-till management strategies from Illinois farmers Adam Dahmer, Brent Fowler, and Greg Thoren. They stressed the necessity of proper equipment calibration, adjusting planting angles to avoid old corn rows, and utilizing cover crops for targeted erosion control. Finally, Don Day of Day Weather outlined the agricultural forecast, noting a favorable shift toward warmer, drier conditions in the Corn Belt for late August, while advising producers to monitor potential tropical development heading into September. 00:42 Ag Markets with Naomi Blohm, Total Farm Marketing 05:59 Cover Crop Conversations: practical management advice 20:09 Ag Weather with Don Day, Day Weather ★ Support this podcast ★

August 24, 2026Episode 1042123 min

Aug 24 | Closing Market Report

This edition of the *Closing Market Report*, hosted by Todd Gleason, covers commodity market movements, Illinois crop prospects, and global agricultural weather. Sherman Newlin of Zaner Ag Hedge reviews the findings from the Pro Farmer Crop Tour, discussing observed crop stress, shorter ear lengths, and market reactions to reduced yield estimates in Illinois and Indiana. Following a brief announcement for an upcoming FarmDoc webinar on farmland values, cash rents, and energy leases, University of Illinois agronomist Giovani Preza Fontes examines corn development, explaining that despite widespread "tip back," adequate soil moisture and favorable grain-filling conditions keep USDA's 212-bushel-per-acre projection attainable. Finally, Mark Russo of EverStream Analytics provides an ag weather outlook, forecasting drier, seasonal conditions across the Corn Belt, subdued Atlantic hurricane activity due to a strong El Niño, and critical moisture trends across the U.S. Plains, Europe, and Brazil. 01:00 Ag Markets with Sherman Newlin, Zaner Ag Hedge 08:52 WEBINAR PROMO | Rents and Prices Outlook: Results from a Mid-Year Survey 10:27 Corn Prospects in Illinois on Track with USDA 18:34 Ag Weather with Mark Russo, EverStream Analytics ★ Support this podcast ★

August 21, 2026Episode 1042023 min

Aug 21 | Closing Market Report

The Pro Farmer national yield predictions released today present a sharply mixed outlook for this year's harvest, diverging significantly from recent USDA estimates. Pro Farmer pegs the national corn yield at just 173.2 bushels to the acre—down sharply from the USDA’s 180.7 estimate—driven primarily by lower ear counts and persistent nutrient loss across the rain-soaked eastern corn belt. Conversely, they project a record-breaking soybean crop at 53.3 bushels to the acre, supported by impressive pod counts and sufficient moisture to finish the crop out strong. Market analysts anticipate this divergence will prompt a bullish reaction in corn and pressure soybean prices, particularly as the trade looks ahead to critical late-September trade negotiations between the US and China. In the livestock sector, a newly announced plan to import 300,000 metric tons of African beef is expected to heavily pressure domestic cattle prices heading into the fall. Fortunately for Midwest row crops, the weather pattern is finally shifting toward a drier, sunnier trend that will provide the essential growing degree days needed to finish the season. 00:40 Ag Markets with Mike Zuzolo, GlobalCommResearch.com 07:29 Pro Farmer 173.2 Corn / 53.3 Soybean 12:41 Ag Weather with Eric Snodgrass, Nutrien Ag Solutions ★ Support this podcast ★

August 20, 2026Episode 1041923 min

Aug 20 | Closing Market Report

The August 20, 2026, Closing Market Report highlights critical observations from the Pro Farmer Crop Tour, revealing significant regional crop yield discrepancies across the Midwest. Market analysts Matt Bennett, Oliver Sloup, and Sherman Newlin confirm that while eastern Iowa and Minnesota project strong corn yields, excessive moisture in Illinois and drought conditions in western Iowa will likely necessitate downward revisions to current USDA estimates for those states. Despite localized nitrogen loss and lower ear counts in the eastern Corn Belt, Bennett anticipates upward adjustments to national soybean yields due to favorable late-season finishing conditions. Meteorologist Mike Tannura forecasts a generalized drying trend and normalized temperatures moving into September, indicating that late-season weather variables will have a diminishing impact on final production numbers. 02:07 Ag Markets with Matt Bennett, AgMarket.net 07:18 Pro Farmer Crop Tour with Oliver Sloup and Sherman Newlin 07:28 Crop Tour Update from Corn Belt Garden Spot 12:32 Crop Tour Update from Western Iowa and Minnesota 20:11 Ag Weather with Mike Tannura, Tstorm.net ★ Support this podcast ★

August 19, 2026Episode 1041823 min

Aug 19 | Closing Market Report

This August 19, 2026, broadcast of the Closing Market Report, hosted by Todd Gleason, provides a comprehensive update on agricultural commodities, field conditions, and global weather impacts. In the opening segment, Greg Johnson of Total Grain Marketing discusses recent fluctuations in corn and soybean prices, noting how farmer selling behaviors and the critical wild card of Chinese export purchases are influencing the market. Next, field scouts Sherman Newlin and Oliver Sloup share on-the-ground insights from the Pro Farmer Crop Tour in Iowa and Illinois, respectively, with both reporting underwhelming corn and soybean yields stemming from early-season weather stress and wet springs. Finally, meteorologist Drew Lerner highlights extreme global weather events—including severe flooding in the Philippines and historic drought in France—while emphasizing the U.S. Midwest's immediate need for warmer, drier conditions to support late-season crop maturation. 00:36 Ag Markets with Greg Johnson, Total Grain Marketing 08:31 Pro Farmer Crop Tour | Iowa and Illinois 14:45 Ag Weather with Drew Lerner, World Weather Inc. ★ Support this podcast ★

August 18, 2026Episode 1041723 min

Aug 18 | Closing Market Report

The August 18, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report, hosted by Todd Gleason, provides a comprehensive update on agricultural commodity markets, ongoing crop assessments, global energy supplies, and regional weather trends. Naomi Blohm of Total Farm Marketing breaks down recent grain price movements, noting technical resistance, profit-taking in corn and soybeans, and international supply dynamics from Southeast Asia to the Black Sea. Pro Farmer Tour crop scouts Sherman Newlin and Oliver Sloup report day-two findings from the western and eastern legs of the Pro Farmer Crop Tour across South Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, and Indiana, detailing the effects of severe field moisture, variable plant populations, and disease pressure on yield expectations. Dave Chatterton of Strategic Farm Marketing analyzes agricultural energies, highlighting the market impact of expired diplomatic agreements, Middle Eastern shipping disruptions, and multi-decade lows in global distillate stocks ahead of the North American fall harvest. Finally, Don Day of Day Weather reviews the active thunderstorm pattern moving across the Midwest, forecasting a gradual moderation in rain intensity alongside cooler overnight temperatures in the weeks ahead. 01:18 Ag Markets with Naomi Blohm, Total Farm Marketing 07:25 Pro Farmer Crop Tour | Nebraska, Ohio, and Indiana 15:53 Ag Energies with Dave Chatterton, Strategic Farm Marketing 20:22 Ag Weather with Don Day, Day Weather ★ Support this podcast ★

August 17, 2026Episode 1041623 min

Aug 17 | Closing Market Report

The August 17, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report details current developments in agricultural markets, industry operations, and agronomic conditions. Economist Matt Maltzbarger outlines how elevated nitrogen costs and a forecasted Super El Niño are influencing the 2027 corn and soybean crop rotation strategies for producers. In industry news, Tyson Foods announced the closure of its Joslin, Illinois, meat packing plant due to excess capacity and tight cattle supplies, while Senate Agriculture Committee progress on the farm bill remains stalled over SNAP penalty disputes. Field observations from Sherman Newlin on the western leg of the Pro Farmer Crop Tour indicate significant drought stress and reduced yield estimates for corn and soybeans in South Dakota. Concluding the broadcast, meteorologist Mark Russo notes an upcoming reprieve from heavy rains across the Eastern Corn Belt and forecasts a shift toward cooler, wetter conditions in Europe that may aid winter crop preparations. 02:21 Ag Markets with Bob Maltzbarger, University of Missouri 10:51 Tyson Foods Closes Joslin, IL Packing Plant 14:09 Pro Farmer Crop Tour | South Dakota 17:35 Ag Weather with Mark Russo, EverStream Analytics ★ Support this podcast ★

August 14, 2026Episode 1041519 min

Aug 14 | Closing Market Report

The August 14, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report, hosted by Todd Gleason, provides a comprehensive overview of agricultural commodity markets, crop progress, and weather forecasts. Market analyst Mike Zuzolo highlights that wheat and crude oil are currently leading the commodity markets, driven by a combination of geopolitical tensions and supply-demand fundamentals. Extension Agronomist Giovani Preza Fontes details the Illinois corn crop's progression through the critical grain fill stage, noting that while record yields are unlikely, the crop remains strong and stands to benefit from recent rains if followed by sunny, warm days. Finally, meteorologist Eric Snodgrass discusses the heavy rainfall and severe storms currently impacting the Eastern corn belt, warning that a rapidly developing El Niño could result in a wet fall harvest domestically and delay the start of the planting season in South America. 01:13 Ag Markets with Mike Zuzolo, GlobalCommResearch.com 08:17 Grain Fill, Overnite Temps, and Rainfall 14:07 Ag Weather with Eric Snodgrass, NutrienAgSolutions.com ★ Support this podcast ★

August 13, 2026Episode 1041423 min

Aug 13 | Closing Market Report

The August 13, 2026, broadcast of the Closing Market Report examines recent commodity market trends, edge-of-field conservation technologies, and weather-related crop stress. Dave Chatterton analyzes the corn market's response to lower-than-expected USDA yield estimates, highlighting the negative impact of sustained high overnight temperatures on grain fill and competitive pressures from Argentine exports. Rabin Bhattarai outlines the mechanics and environmental benefits of woodchip bioreactors and drainage water management systems, which mitigate nitrate runoff and optimize field water retention. Finally, meteorologist Mike Tannura discusses the agronomic effects of current weather patterns, emphasizing that while recent rainfall has been largely adequate, unusually warm overnight temperatures are significantly reducing crop productivity across the Corn Belt. 01:47 Dave Chatterton, Strategic Farm Marketing 08:08 Two Edge of Field Conservation Practices 16:13 Ag Weather with Mike Tannura, Tstorm.net ★ Support this podcast ★