The corn and winter wheat futures markets saw declines late last week, with December corn down 4 1/4 cents and winter wheat falling 6 1/4 cents. Soybeans performed better, with January beans rising 9 1/2 cents. USDA’s crop production report on Friday will be a highlight for grain futures.

The focus for grain traders is shifting to South America’s growing weather conditions. Rain in Brazil will benefit planting and crop development. Strong domestic and export demand is supporting corn prices, while soybean and meal bulls gained momentum last week. The U.S.-China trade thaw is a key factor for soybean traders.

China’s purchase of U.S. wheat boosted prices, but sustained uptrends depend on global demand. Cotton futures fell last week, with bulls losing ground. The stock market’s instability could impact consumer demand for apparel, affecting cotton prices. USDA’s updates will also impact the cotton futures market.

Grain and cotton traders await USDA’s crop production and supply updates. The potential reopening of the U.S. government could provide fundamental data for daily price action. Weather conditions in South America and Chinese demand for soybeans are crucial factors for traders in the coming weeks.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Dear Grain and Cotton Traders, Mark Your Calendars for November 14