Trump/Xi Meeting Still Possible + US Dollar Rally

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🌾🚜 U.S. Harvest Progress

According to a Reuters poll, harvest is trailing last year’s pace:

Corn: 44% complete (vs. 47% last year)

Soybeans: 58% complete (vs. 67% last year)

The USDA Crop Progress report remains on hold due to the government shutdown, leaving analysts to fill the data gap.

💵📊 Dollar Index Rebounds

The U.S. Dollar Index climbed 0.2% Monday as traders bet on progress in trade talks.

The yen and euro weakened, while U.S. markets stabilized after last week’s tariff-driven selloff.

Despite short-term volatility, analysts say global investors still see few real alternatives to U.S. assets.

🚜📈 Tractor Sales Tick Higher

For the first time in over a year, U.S. tractor sales rose 4.1% in September — a small but welcome sign for the ag equipment sector.

However, combine sales fell 22%, showing continued weakness in big-ticket purchases.

Full details from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) can be found HERE.

🌎🌱 China Soybean Imports Hit Records

China imported 12.9 mmt of soybeans in September — up 4.8% from August and 13.2% from last year — marking the fifth consecutive record month.

Purchases have come mainly from Argentina and Brazil, while U.S. soybeans remain absent from the flow.

Year-to-date imports: 86.2 mmt, up 5.3% year-over-year.

🇧🇷🌧️ Brazil Planting Update

Brazil’s soybean planting is 14% complete, up from 9% last week and 8% a year ago — the third-fastest pace on record.

Corn planting is 45% complete, but conditions are mixed, with excess moisture in some regions and dryness in others.

Conab estimate: 177.7 mmt

USDA estimate: 175 mmt

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments — are markets overreacting to trade headlines?

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