U.S. Farm Commodities Fall on China Trade Uncertainty as Cattle Rebound

Overview

• Grains and oilseeds extended losses Friday at midday after U.S.–China talks yielded few concrete buying commitments, with wheat, corn and soybeans all in the red.
• Soybeans dropped 14 to 15 cents as processors reported a record April crush of 211.86 million bushels, a sign crushers kept running even as cash bean prices slipped.
• Cotton futures traded sharply lower, with July briefly near limit down, after USDA reported a marketing‑year low in weekly sales for the week ended May 7.
• Cattle futures turned higher, feeder contracts gained, and hogs fell as cash hog prices eased, with traders also noting China’s renewal of export licenses for U.S. beef plants.
• USDA flagged 1,831 active New World Screwworm cases in Mexico, including near the Texas border, raising concerns for ranchers about animal health and potential cross‑border impacts.