A higher start is expected this am due almost entirely to the weak $. Crude oil, gold and various other commodities markets are all higher due to the big losses this am in the $ and grains are likely to follow suit. The weather is bearish and without a much weaker $ grains would probably be lower so traders will keep a close watch on the $ for direction throughout the session. The November USDA crop report will be out tomorrow am so there will be a lot of evening up today ahead of this report. The early call is 5-10 higher in wheat and beans, 4-6 better in corn. The weekly crop progress report this afternoon is expected to show roughly 35-40% of the corn crop harvested with beans roughly 70-80% complete.

Somar, the widely followed Brazilian weather forecaster, reports widespread, heavy weekend rain in Brazil, up to 1" in Mato Grasso, the largest bean growing state in the country. Up to 2 3/4" more rain is forecast this week in the northern part of the country with lighter amounts to the south, which had heavier weekend rain than the north. Overall, conditions in Brazil remain very favorable. Weekend rain was seen in Argentina but amounts were not as heavy nor widespread as in Brazil. A mostly dry week is forecast with significant rain not expected again until early next week.

The southwest US winter wheat belt was mostly dry over the weekend and more of the same is predicted this week, allowing farmers to finish up winter wheat planting. The midwest was mostly dry this weekend and more of the same is forecast until late this week. Scattered rain is forecast Fri-Sat in the west, Saturday in the east. The 6-10 day calls for below normal rain, which should allow for continued rapid harvest progress.