Podcast
Closing Market Report
Hosted by Todd E. Gleason · EN
Established 1985
The Closing Market Report airs weekdays at 2:06pm central on WILL AM580, Urbana. University of Illinois Extension Farm Broadcaster Todd Gleason hosts the program. Each day he asks commodity analysts about the trade in Chicago, delves deep into the global growing regions weather, and talks with ag economists, entomologists, agronomists, and others involved in agriculture at the farm and industry level.
website: willag.org
twitter: @commodityweek
101episodes
Episodes
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Jul 16 | Closing Market Report
6d ago00:23:10Tap to summarizeThe July 16, 2026 edition of the Closing Market Report covers commodity markets, soil management research, and regional agricultural weather patterns. Host Todd Gleason opens the program from the National Association of Farm Broadcasting event in Kansas City, sharing first-hand observations of resilient midwestern corn crops despite recent heat waves. Market analyst Matt Bennett of AgMarket.net discusses current wheat and energy price volatility driven by geopolitical factors, noting that while the corn crop is progressing well through pollination, upcoming weather conditions will determine the extent of market premiums. University of Illinois PhD student Blake Link reports from the Orr Research Center on the expanding necessity of sulfur fertilizers across the Corn Belt, explaining the different forms of sulfur applications and their chemical effects on soil acidity. Finally, Mike Tannura of Tstorm Weather provides a global and domestic agricultural weather outlook, highlighting a temperature divide between a hotter northern region and a milder south, the potential for early-season monsoonal rains in August, and the localized atmospheric impacts of seasonal wildfire smoke on crop photosynthesis and daytime temperatures.01:10 Ag Markets with Matt Bennett, AgMarket.net 08:38 Evaluating the Need for Sulfur Fertilizers in the Corn Belt 16:03 Ag Weather with Mike Tannura, Tstorm.net ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →Jul 15 | Closing Market Report
1w ago00:23:50Tap to summarizeThe July 15, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report highlights the current agricultural commodity markets and upcoming weather patterns influencing crop production. Host Todd Gleason discusses a recent surge in wheat futures driven by supply fears following Russian military attacks on Ukrainian ports, particularly Odesa, shifting the focus away from traditional weather factors. In the ag market segment, Greg Johnson notes that Central Illinois crops are generally performing well, prompting farmers to hold out for stronger prices, though fund activity remains neutral to long. Additionally, the program details upcoming regional agricultural events, including University of Illinois Extension field days and webinars focused on soybean breeding and agricultural AI applications.The second half of the program transitions to regional and international ag weather with Drew Lerner from World Weather Inc.. Lerner breaks down the stressful but manageable heat impacts across the northern Corn Belt, noting that while the upper Missouri River Basin faces high temperatures and dryness, areas like the Red River Valley are insulated by recent heavy rainfall. The international segment details a severe and expanding drought in Western Europe, where central France and the UK face massive precipitation deficits threatening summer crops like sugar beets. Conversely, weather conditions remain favorable for crop maturation in the Black Sea region, making the current market volatility strictly a reflection of regional war developments rather than climate failures.01:21 Ag Markets with Greg Johnson, Total Grain Marketing 11:59 Ag Weather with Drew Lerner, World Weather Inc. ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →Jul 14 | Closing Market Report
1w ago00:23:50Tap to summarizeThe July 14, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report highlights shifting grain dynamics, regional crop conditions, and agricultural energy concerns amid escalating global conflicts. Market analyst Naomi Blohm notes that a recent shift to slightly cooler nighttime temperatures has taken some heat pressure out of corn and soybean prices, while wheat experiences a war premium driven by renewed tensions in the Black Sea region. Nationally, crop progress remains steady, though states west of the Mississippi—particularly Minnesota and Iowa—are significantly outperforming eastern Corn Belt states like Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Energy expert Susan Stroud addresses the growing volatility in the diesel market, explaining how supply crunches in Europe, domestic biofuel mandates, and the continued depletion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve are squeezing fuel availability ahead of the fall harvest. Finally, meteorologist Don Day warns that a stubborn high-pressure ridge will sustain well-above-average temperatures and dry conditions across the northern tier and western Corn Belt for the next 10 to 12 days.01:15 Ag Markets with Naomi Blohm, Total Farm Marketing07:30 USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report09:29 Crop Protection Network Disease Report10:47 AgriNext & Energies with Susan Stroud, No Bull Ag20:59 Ag Weather with Don Day, Day Weather ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →Jul 13 | Closing Market Report
1w ago00:23:50Tap to summarizeThe July 13, 2026, edition of the Closing Market Report covered critical updates in domestic agricultural production, global energy markets, and shifting weather patterns impacting the U.S. corn belt. Curt Kimmel of AgMarket.net analyzed the day's sharp rise in crude oil and grain futures, tying the market's upward momentum to localized heat stress in the western corn belt, declining crop condition ratings, and sudden escalations in Middle East war tensions. Expanding on these geopolitical developments, North Dakota State University Extension Economist Frayne Olson discussed the severe impact of a newly announced U.S. military escort fee for transiting the Strait of Hormuz, alongside the logistics disruption caused by Ukrainian drone attacks near the Sea of Azov. Olson noted that while these conflicts introduce a supportive risk premium for U.S. grain exports, their long-term effects will primarily filter through volatile international energy markets. Finally, meteorologist Mark Russo of EverStream Analytics provided a near-term weather outlook, reporting that while threatening pollination heat will temporarily persist in the northwest Midwest, a retrogressing ridge of high pressure will bring cooler temperatures by the weekend. However, Russo warned that an impending shift toward a suppressed, northwest flow jet stream pattern could signal a prolonged dry spell moving into critical pod-development stages for soybeans in early August.01:11 Ag Markets with Curt Kimmel, AgMarket.net06:53 Commodity Market Discussion with Frayne Olson, NDSU18:46 Ag Weather with Mark Russo, EverStream Analytics ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →Jul 10 | Closing Market Report
2w ago00:57:45Tap to summarizeThe July 10, 2026, broadcast of the Closing Market Report highlights University of Illinois agricultural research and economic analysis. The program begins with an interview featuring soybean breeder Eliana Monteverde, who details how her team utilizes the USDA germplasm bank to develop new commercial soybean varieties with stacked pest resistance and modified amino acid profiles. Following this, the broadcast presents a comprehensive presentation by agricultural economist Bruce Sherrick on the macroeconomic drivers of farmland values. Sherrick examines how factors such as global production disparities, domestic inflation, crop insurance subsidies, and renewable energy land-use influence the long-term investment stability and profitability of agricultural real estate.01:36 Soybean Breeding Research and a Field Day with Eliana Monteverde, University of Illinois14:42 Land Values Discussion with Bruce Sherrick, University of Illinois ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →Jul 09 | Closing Market Report
2w ago00:23:50Tap to summarizeThis July 9, 2026, edition of the *Closing Market Report*, hosted by Todd Gleason, covers agricultural markets, weather forecasts, and a local wildlife rescue. Matt Bennett of AgMarket.net begins by analyzing recent commodity market fluctuations, attributing the downturn to profit-taking ahead of the upcoming July WASDE report and shifting weather expectations. The program then takes a unique turn as Gleason recounts his unexpected absence the previous day, which involved coordinating with an arborist and the local Wildlife Medical Clinic to return a fallen baby Cooper's Hawk to its 65-foot-high nest. Finally, Mike Tannura of Tstorm Weather outlines the complexities of the upcoming 10-to-14-day weather models, highlighting the tension between a potential Midwestern heat dome and cooler Canadian air, while noting that current soil moisture remains largely adequate for the critical crop pollination period.01:33 Ag Markets with Matt Bennett, AgMarket.net07:37 Putting a Cooper's Hawk Chick Back in its Nest15:44 Ag Weather with Mike Tannura, Tstorm.net ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →Jul 08 | Closing Market Report
2w ago00:23:50Tap to summarizeThe July 8, 2026, edition of the *Closing Market Report* covered commodity market fluctuations, regional agricultural updates, and international weather conditions. Farm broadcaster Todd Gleason hosted the program, noting that while the final numbers from the CME Group were unavailable, grain markets faced downward pressure due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, contrasting with a notable rise in crude oil prices. Greg Johnson of Total Grain Marketing discussed a 50% retracement on corn charts following the June crop report, outlining local crop conditions in Illinois and evaluating market dynamics like basis levels and Chinese export demand. The broadcast previewed four upcoming University of Illinois Extension and Crop Sciences field days across July, including events at the Orr Center, Heyworth, Monmouth, and Dixon Springs. Finally, Drew Lerner of World Weather Inc. provided an ag weather outlook, highlighting severe heat and moisture deficits hitting the northwestern Corn Belt and northern Plains, alongside extreme drought stress affecting crops across France and parts of Western Europe.00:58 Ag Markets with Greg Johnson, Total Grain Marketing08:56 Four Field Days to Close Out July12:11 Ag Weather with Drew Lerner, World Weather Inc. ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →Jul 07 | Closing Market Report
2w ago00:23:50Tap to summarizeThis edition of the Closing Market Report covers the latest developments in agricultural commodity markets, crop progress, and regional weather forecasting. Host Todd Gleason opens with commodity price updates before talking with Naomi Blohm of Total Farm Marketing, who details a recent technical recovery bounce driven by hot, dry weather patterns and underscores the market significance of the upcoming July WASDE report. The program also reviews the nationwide USDA NASS Crop Progress Report, highlighting that corn, soybean, and winter wheat developments are running well ahead of their historic five-year averages. A feature from Harvest Public Media examines the ongoing regulatory and ecological challenges surrounding the volatile herbicide dicamba and its propensity for off-target drift. Finally, meteorologist Don Day warns of an intense, unseasonable "heat dome" set to bring triple-digit temperatures and dry conditions to the northern Corn Belt, establishing a unique weather pattern wrapped by an outer ring of moisture.02:19 Ag Markets with Naomi Blohm, Total Farm Marketing09:32 USDA NASS Crop Progress Report11:58 CropProtectionNetwork.com to Monitor Disease13:48 Dicamba, EPA, and U.S. Farmers18:06 Ag Weather with Don Day, Day Weather ★ Support this podcast ★
Transcribe →Jul 06 | Closing Market Report
2w ago00:23:50Tap to summarizeThis Monday edition of the Closing Market Report highlights a major, post-holiday surge across the agricultural commodity markets, driven primarily by an adverse late-summer weather forecast and renewed export interest from China. Host Todd Gleason reports substantial gains in corn, soybean, and wheat futures following recent contract lows. Market analyst Curt Kimmel of AgMarket.net discusses the logistical significance of China picking up soybean cargoes off the Pacific Northwest and the Gulf, noting that while the technical fundamentals haven't shifted, the buying enthusiasm provides critical support ahead of Friday's upcoming USDA WASDE report. In agricultural news, farm groups are actively pushing back against Bayer's request for anti-dumping duties on Chinese glyphosate imports due to concerns over narrowing farmer margins. Additionally, University of Illinois Extension entomologist Nick Seiter warns producers to actively scout for corn leaf aphids as crops enter their vulnerable tasseling stage, and Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman expresses hope to transition foreign food aid programs back under the jurisdiction of the USDA via a new farm bill.The program also features an in-depth economic perspective from University of Minnesota Extension economist Ed Usset, who views the current market rally as a classic post-July 4th weather market. While acknowledging the bump from hot, dry domestic forecasts and extreme heat hitting crops in France, Usset reminds producers that this rally serves as an excellent "second chance" to clean out remaining old crop inventories and execute scale-up sales on new crop corn and soybeans before defensive seasonal trends potentially return. Finally, Mark Russo of EverStream Analytics breaks down the broader global weather patterns, noting that while the core U.S. Midwest looks secure, a highly intense ridge of high pressure will bring crop-stressing heat to western plains states like Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota next week. Internationally, Russo reports a disastrous third heat wave accelerating crop deterioration for corn in France and parts of Eastern Europe, while unseasonal winter rains slightly slow the safrinha corn harvest in southern Brazil.01:35 Ag Markets with Curt Kimmel, AgMarket.net07:20 Bayer Requests Glyphosate Import Protections08:00 Scout for Corn Aphids09:12 Farm Bill Legislation May Attempt to Move Foreign Food Aid10:54 Commodity Market Discussion with Ed Usset, University of Minnesota18:04 Ag Weather with Mark Russo, EverStream Analytics ★ Support this podcast ★
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July 4th | Independence, Agricultural Adaptation, and the Land
3w ago00:29:50Tap to summarizeThis 4th of July program, hosted by Todd Gleason, explores the history of agricultural adaptation and innovation in the United States, drawing a parallel to the founding spirit of the Declaration of Independence. The broadcast features three historical segments detailing the evolution of primary row crops and soil management practices. It traces the genetic development of corn from early flint and dent crosses to modern commercial hybrids, emphasizing the narrowing of its genetic base. It also highlights the pioneering no-till farming experiments at University of Illinois Extension's Dixon Springs research farm, which revolutionized soil conservation by drastically reducing soil erosion in Southern Illinois. Finally, the program outlines the domestication of the soybean, its introduction to North America by sailors and agricultural explorers, and the critical importance of preserving its genetic diversity to protect future crops against pests and diseases.00:00 July 4th | Independence, Agricultural Adaptation, and the Land01:24 Declaration of Independence05:59 A History of Corn with Forrest Troyer16:03 No-Till Preserves Soils and Independence19:40 A History of the Soybean with Ted Hymowitz ★ Support this podcast ★
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