Top 5 Things to Watch

OMAHA (DTN) -- Here are the Top 5 things the DTN Newsroom is tracking for the week of March 24. Watch for coverage of these and other topics through the week on our subscription platforms as well as on www.DTNPF.com. Note that all webinar and report release times are Central Daylight Time (CDT) unless otherwise noted.

1. March USDA reports: The March USDA Grain Stocks and Prospective Planting reports will be released at 11 a.m. on March 28. We'll post those numbers shortly after 11, with updates and analysis throughout the morning. Our preview expectations for the report will be available mid-week, and we'll host a webinar on the reports with DTN Lead Analyst Todd Hultman at 12:30 p.m. To register for that webinar, go here: https://www.dtn.com/….

2. Spring storm cometh: Cold air from Canada bumping into warmer air to the south is leading to a major storm system this weekend that should last well into next week. Much of the country could see high snowfall totals, blizzard conditions in some areas, some freezing rain, and strong winds. For the latest, see our Ag Weather Forum blog here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

3. EU responds to Russian grain dumps: European media have been reporting on European Union efforts to slow grain exports from Russia and Belarus in response to the Russia-Ukraine war. EU leaders are attempting to balance excess exports onto world markets from Putin's grain dump while still allowing food supplies into African nations that need it. EU countries are also trying to respond to their own farmers crying foul as Ukraine exports -- needed by that country to shore up its war effort -- have depressed produce and other food prices in bordering countries.

4. Good Friday break: The DTN newsroom will be closed for the Good Friday market holiday, but we'll have breaking news updates throughout the day and weekend.

5. Economic reports to come: Monday at 8 a.m. the Food Price Outlook is released followed by New Home Sales at 9 a.m. and Grain Inspections at 10 a.m. At 2 p.m. we'll watch for the Oil Crop Yearbook and Poultry Slaughter numbers. Tuesday starts with 7:30 a.m. release of Durable Goods Orders, at 8 a.m. we'll see the Case-Shiller Home Price Index and at 9 a.m. the latest Consumer Confidence numbers are out. Wednesday the latest EIA numbers, including ethanol production and inventory, are out at 10 a.m., followed by 2 p.m. Broiler Hatchery report. Thursday we'll watch for the 7:30 a.m. release of Initial Jobless Claims, GDP Revised Q1 reports and Grain Export Sales. At 9 a.m., Pending Home Sales and Consumer Sentiment is out. Then at 11 a.m. is the USDA Grain Stocks and Prospective Planting reports, followed by a 2 pm. release of the Hogs and Pigs report. Friday grain markets are closed for Good Friday; however, some USDA reports are still released that day. At 7:30 a.m. the U.S. Trade Balance, Retail and Wholesale Inventories, Personal Income and the PCE Index reports are released.

Watch for the latest news at www.dtnpf.com, and follow and like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dtnprogressivefarmer. You can find our news on Instagram as well. Give us a follow @dtn.agnews

Sick Dairy Cows Recovering From HPAI
Tests have confirmed dairy cows at three farms in Texas and one in Kansas have highly pathogenic avian influenza, but veterinarians are unsure why this has happened. The virus hasn't crossed to the bovine species previously.
Bridge Collapse Could Affect UAN Market
OMAHA (DTN) -- The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday will influence the economy of the region but could also affect farmers' bottom line. The Port of Baltimore is significant for agricultural products, including farm equipment and fertilizer.
USDA Reports Summary
USDA on Thursday released its Prospective Plantings and quarterly Grain Stocks reports.
RFS Fight Launches in Appeals Court
Biofuels, refining and environmental groups are making cases for a federal appeals court to vacate EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard set rule finalized in June 2023.
DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends
Retail fertilizer prices are mostly higher with seven of the eight major fertilizers now more expensive compared to last month. Two fertilizers -- urea and UAN28 -- were significantly more expensive compared to a month ago.
Cash Market Moves
A container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning, causing a catastrophic failure as the bridge collapsed. Shipping and agricultural interests are still determining the impact the accident will have on shipping in and out of the Port of Baltimore.
Officials Confirm HPAI Dairy Infections
USDA stated the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state veterinarians and public health officials are investigating the illness that has recently hit "primarily older dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico that is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms." USDA also called it a "rapidly evolving situation."
California Pork Prices Spike on Prop 12
A new analysis by USDA officials on behalf of the University of California finds California consumers are paying more for pork than consumers across the country to coincide with implementation of Proposition 12.
Top 5 Things to Watch
March 28 we'll report on the latest Grain Stocks and Prospective Planting Reports from USDA, then host a DTN webinar to provide more analysis on the reports. This week we'll also track a strong spring storm. Markets will be closed for Good Friday.