A higher start is indicated this am following overnight gains in the grains as well as the lower $ and higher crude oil prices. The early call is 5-7 better wheat, 3-4 up in corn and 7-10 stronger beans.

The Weekly Crop Progress report yesterday afternoon showed corn is only 21% mature and safe from freezing temps compared with the average for this date of 55%. Beans dropping leaves, considered a sign of maturity for this crop, reached 40% vs 58% average. Spring wheat harvesting is catching up with 85% done vs 96% average. Winter wheat planting is on target with 24% done vs 25% average. There isn't a lot of other news to digest so far this am.

Hot and dry conditions will stress late developing crops in northwest and central India now that the monsoon has prematurely withdrawn from this region. The hot and dry weather will also make it more difficult for fall planted crops such as winter wheat. Continued cold temps are forecast in Heilongjiang, China's largest bean growing province, the next several days. This puts the bean crop there at risk of freeze damage.

The US southwest winter wheat belt saw scattered rain the last 24 hours, up to 1.5". More beneficial rain is forecast today through Friday. The northern plains spring wheat belt should enjoy dry harvest weather the next 7 days or so. The Midwest will stay warm the next 5-7 days. The longer term forecast sees above normal temps also except for a possible brief cold spell in the northwest part of the belt. The delta will see more unwelcome rain the next several days, further delaying early bean harvesting.