DELMARVA — Grain markets closed lower across the board Thursday, with corn and soybeans leading the retreat in another rough session for commodity traders.
Markets
September corn futures settled at $4.41½ per bushel, dropping 6 cents on the session. August soybeans fell 7¼ cents to close at $11.95. Soybean meal was the lone bright spot among the grains, with August contracts gaining $4.00 to settle at $322.90. September Chicago wheat ended at $6.74¾, off nearly 3 cents.
Analysts attribute the soybean weakness to profit taking and technical selling. Export data offered some encouragement, however, as new-crop soybean sales came in at 65 million bushels — the strongest showing in several months — with China the top buyer.
On the livestock side, August live cattle dropped $3.05 to settle at $227.07. August feeder cattle declined $3.35 to close at $346.60. August lean hogs edged lower, finishing at $100.27.
Policy
In Washington, the National Corn Growers Association held its biannual Corn Congress, with members identifying renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement as their foremost trade priority.
Forecast
A National Weather Service Air Quality Alert issued Thursday remains active for the Delmarva region. Smoke in the area is expected to persist through the weekend, with today’s high reaching 90°F and similar conditions forecast for Saturday. Residents with asthma or respiratory conditions are advised to limit outdoor activity.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, July 17, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
