The Pace of Soybean Use

by Todd Hubbs, Agricultural Economist - ILLINOIS Extension
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USDA’s soybean ending stocks forecast of 425 million bushels for the marketing year may show little if any change in the upcoming WASDE report. Despite the recent strength in soybean crush, the current focus is squarely on the impacts of the coronavirus and the implications for both crush and exports as the disease continues to evolve.

University of Illinois ag economist Todd Hubbs discusses the impact coronavirus is and may have on the use of soybeans across the planet.

Soybean crush in January saw a record total for the month of 188.78 million bushels. Thus far this marketing year, crush set monthly records in October, December, and January. Even with those monthly records, the crush pace during the first five months of the marketing year, at 897 million bushels, equaled last year’s pace. The USDA’s current projection for crush indicates a 13 million bushel increase over last year. To reach the crush forecast, crush needs to total 1.2075 billion bushels over the remainder of the marketing year. Soybean crush at that level comes in higher than last year’s 1.194 billion bushel total over the same period. The recent strength in crush led many market observers to raise the prospects for soybean crush totals. The implementation of higher export taxes on soybean products in Argentina helped to bolster this narrative. While soybean crush may see an increase in marketing year use, the prospect of coronavirus issues hurting meat demand may limit the upside potential later in 2020.

Soybean meal prices in Decatur rallied from the low $290 per ton range in early February to settle near $305 last week, which coincides with the marketing year average price put forth in the February WASDE report. The forecast for domestic soybean meal use sits at 36.8 million short tons, up 708 million tons over last year. Plentiful livestock on feed supports strong domestic soybean meal use this marketing year. However, the spread of the coronavirus around the world may put a damper on meat consumption. The prospect of lower meat consumption in the U.S. remains a serious concern. At 13.2 million short tons, the forecast for soybean meal exports came in 354 million tons lower than last year. Soybean meal exports weakened significantly in January and put the pace of exports through January seven percent behind last year’s export total at 4.576 billion short tons. Total commitments through February 27 sit a little over six percent behind last year’s pace. If the expansion of export tariffs on soybean meal in Argentina impact exports, the pace of meal exports could increase.

Soybean oil prices in Decatur fell back to levels seen last September in recent weeks at between 28 and 30 cents per pound. Vegetable oil prices remain under pressure from the impacts of coronavirus spreading around the world. As Chinese crushers come back online, an expectation of growth in world soybean oil stocks over the short term seems a forgone conclusion. Weaker biodiesel production led to a decrease of 300 million pounds in the February WASDE report to 8.2 billion pounds. Through December, the EIA biodiesel production report put soybean oil use at 1.625 billion pounds, down 545 million pounds from the first quarter last year. Biodiesel production from soybean oil needs to increase by fifteen percent over last year for the remainder of the marketing year to hit the USDA’s forecast. Soybean oil exports continue to exhibit strength and provide a counterbalance to relatively weak domestic demand. At 1.9 billion pounds, the USDA’s forecast for soybean exports seems well within reach this marketing year. Census Bureau soybean oil exports through January came in at 809 million pounds. To reach the projection, soybean oil exports need to total 1.09 billion pounds over the rest of the marketing year, 110 million pounds less than the total over the same period last year and hints at an increase to the forecast for soybean oil exports this marketing year in the next WASDE report.

The large Brazilian soybean crop and the potential for expanded Chinese buying continue to be the main factors shaping the potential for soybean exports. USDA projections for soybean exports total 1.825 billion bushels. Estimates of soybean exports from the Census Bureau are available through January. Soybean exports came in at 1.02 billion bushels. As of March 5, cumulative export inspections for the current marketing year totaled 1.107 billion bushels. By using the relationship between Census Bureau data and export inspections, soybean exports total 1.153 billion bushels for the marketing year. Soybean exports need to equal 672 million bushels, approximately 26.3 million bushels per week, during the remainder of the marketing year to reach the USDA forecast. Over the last four weeks, export inspections averaged 26.1 million bushels per week.

A Brazilian crop near 4.6 billion bushels looks in the offing this year. A large crop in combination with a Brazilian real that depreciated almost fifteen percent against the dollar since the turn of the year promise competition from Brazilian soybeans in 2020. Chinese buying of U.S. soybeans remains the key to hitting export projections. For now, Chinese total commitments (export sales and accumulated exports) through February 27 sit at 449 million bushels, up from 344 million bushels over the same period last year. Census Bureau data through January showed soybean exports to China at 431 million bushels thus far this marketing year. The small growth in exports since January highlights the low level of buying from China since the onset of the coronavirus. The recent exemptions on U.S. soybean tariffs granted for some crushers in China provide support to the notion of China attempting to meet its commitments to the Phase 1 trade deal.

Uncertainty about the impacts of coronavirus looks to set market expectations over the near term. Soybean prices will reflect this uncertainty. Volatility appears set to remain high and developments in soybean product export markets seem destined to determine ending stocks this year.

IFES 2017: Crop and Livestock Price Prospects for 2018

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by Todd Hubbs, Commodity Markets Specialist - University of Illinois

CROPS

Crop prices will remain below the high levels seen in the early part of this decade due to large global inventories. Global economic growth continues to build on the momentum seen over the last year. Growth in China and emerging market in Asia is projected to remain strong throughout 2018. The prospects of improved growth support commodity demand, but the significant changes to trade policy could mitigate some of this demand growth in export markets. Lower prices are expected to continue in 2018 barring a shortfall in one of the major production regions. The following price outlook analysis assumes a good 2018 growing season.

Corn prices continue to struggle with large crops and five consecutive years of growth in ending stocks. Domestic corn demand continues to see moderate growth in corn used for ethanol which has been supported by record levels of ethanol exports. Growth in livestock production and low corn prices provide support for increased feed usage during the 2017–18 marketing year. The potential for greater than 5.5 billion bushels in feed and residual use would be the largest amount since 2007–08. Corn exports currently lag the pace of last marketing year’s 2.29 billion bushels and are projected at 1.95 billion bushels by the end of the current year. Planted acreage of corn is expected to increase slightly in 2018 to 90.8 million acres. Assuming a trend yield near 172.3 bushels would result in a 2018 crop near 14.4 billion bushels. A projected total use of 14.5 billion bushels would result in the 2018–19 marketing year ending stocks near 2.44 billion bushels, a slight decrease from 2017–18 projections. Prices are expected to average near $3.30 during the current year and near $3.40 during the 2018–19 marketing year if production develops as expected.

Soybean prices remain strong relative to corn and wheat prices. U.S. soybean ending stocks continue a five-year pattern of growth with 2016–17 ending stocks ending at 301 million bushels. The lower than initially projected ending stocks benefited from very strong export numbers driven by continued growth in exports to China. Soybean exports are projected to exceed 2.2 billion bushels during this marketing year, up from last marketing year’s 2.174 billion bushels. Expanded soybean acreage and a 49.5 bushel yield for the 2017 crop are expected to increase 2017–18 marketing year ending stocks to 480 million bushels. Planted acreage of soybeans is expected to increase moderately to 90.6 million acres in 2018 due to the low prices of corn and wheat and the lower cost of producing soybeans relative to corn. A yield near 48.5 bushels would result in a 2018 crop about 52 million bushels smaller than the 2017 crop. With total use projected at 4.32 billion bushels, a further increase in U.S. stocks is expected by the end of the 2017–18 marketing year. Prices are expected to average near $9.20 during the current year and near $8.80 during the 2018–19 marketing year if world production develops as expected.

U.S. wheat acreage is expected to continue declining. Planted acreage decreased to 46.01 million acres in 2017. U.S. wheat production decreased by 508 million bushels in 2017 with average yield down by 6.3 bushels per acre. Soft red winter wheat production decreased to 202 million acres on 230,000 fewer acres nationally. Soft red winter wheat production is down 49 percent from 2010–2017 in Illinois. During the same period, wheat acreage in Illinois declined by 450,000 acres. World wheat production in 2017–18 is expected to decline slightly from the record levels of 2016–17. Foreign wheat production is expected to increase for the fifth consecutive year. U.S. stocks of wheat in all classes are projected to decline to 935 million bushels after hitting 1.18 billion bushels in 2016–17. U.S. soft red winter wheat ending stocks are expected to grow by 7 million bushels in 2017–18. The average price received for the 2017 crop is expected to be near $4.60. The Illinois price at harvest is expected to be near $4.75.

LIVESTOCK

Livestock markets continue to respond to the growing demand for meat globally and lower feed costs. Prices in the livestock sector look to level out after declining from the highs seen in 2014 and the subsequent supply response. Production levels are expected to increase in 2018.

U.S. beef production is expected to increase 4.6 percent in 2018 on higher levels of feedlot placements in last half of 2017 and the beginning of 2018. Beef production is forecast at 27.6 billion pounds in 2018, up 1.2 billion pounds over 2017. Beef export markets continue to exemplify U.S. competitiveness in foreign markets. Exports are projected at 2.97 billion pounds, up from 2.85 billion in 2017. Recent strength in export markets has been driven by strong demand from Japan. Domestic per capita beef consumption is projected to increase in 2018 to 59.2 pounds, up 1.9 pounds from 2017. Strong demand in 2017 moved cattle through feedlots at a rapid pace. Fed cattle prices look to move lower in the first half of 2018 on large supplies. Fed cattle prices average near $122 in 2017 but look to average near $117 in 2018. Feeder steer prices averaged $145 in 2017 and are projected to be around $142 in 2018.

U.S. pork production is projected to increase in 2018 to 26.9 billion pounds, up 1.2 billion pounds from 2017. Delays in hog slaughter levels in the fourth quarter of 2017 are projected to push first quarter pork production in 2018 up 4.7 percent of 2017 levels. Pork exports in 2018 are expected to increase from the 5.6 billion pounds exported in 2017 to 5.9 billion pounds. While increased exports to Mexico helped to support the export pace thus far in 2017, lower export levels to Japan and China is currently a drag on pork exports. Domestic pork supplies in 2018 are forecast at 52.1 pounds per capita, up from 50.4 in 2017. The average hog price is expected to decrease to $45.00 in 2018, down from $49.01 in 2017

Falling Cattle Prices, Where Is the Bottom

The price of cattle has been on a downward spiral for months and ranchers and farmers are wondering when it’ll hit bottom. Todd Gleason has more on the coming prospects for the price of beef.

Bull Buyers Guide

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It’s that time of year when farmers and ranchers buy bulls for their herds. They’re likely sifting through stacks of bull sale catalogs. Todd Gleason has some advice on evaluating a sire’s potential.

Beef Industry Continues Lower Production Trend

The beef industry stands alone in 2015 in its continued reduction in supplies available to consumers.

2014, by contrast, was a special year for the animal production industry. It set record high farm level prices for cattle, hogs, broilers, turkeys, milk and eggs. 2015 should see much lower annualized prices after the surprisingly fast expansion of the poultry, pork and dairy industries. Beef stands alone in the continuation toward lower production. This does not necessarily mean the price of beef will remain record high. Live cattle futures are suggesting a return to a more normal seasonal price pattern this year. This would mean that while beef cattle have so far traded higher than last year, that pattern would end now says Purdue University Extension Ag Economist Chris Hurt.

Hurt :26 …a couple of dollars lower than 2014.

Quote Summary - The futures tone stays weak through summer with prices falling to the middle $140s by the end of summer and then rallying to the low $150s toward the end of the year. With prices so far this year and futures estimates for the remainder of the year, finished steers would average $153, a couple of dollars lower than 2014.

That’s Chris Hurt’s view, however, USDA has a different take. Agency forecasters in the April 9 WASDE (wahz-dee) report took a much more bullish path with $163.50 at the mid-point of their annual estimated range. Also of note is that USDA analysts increased the potential range of prices as the year progresses. One reason to increase a price forecast range is because of greater uncertainty says Hurt.

Hurt :19 …with annual prices near last year’s $155.

Quote Summary - My judgement is that ultimate prices may be somewhere between these two. Current high $150s prices could drop to the very low $150s by late summer and recover to the mid-$150s by the end of the year, with annual prices near last year’s $155.

One thing seems certain, explains Chris Hurt in his May 4th article on the farmdocdaily website 2014 was an extraordinary year for the animal industries. So comparing this year’s prices to last year’s prices may bring inherent dangers. The beef industry, he says, is the only one which will not increase production this year and therefore has a reasonable chance of seeing annual price averages near 2014 levels.