By Tony Dreibus | Published on December 8, 2025

1. Soybean Futures Down on Chinese Demand Concerns

Soybean futures dropped in overnight trading amid concerns that China will buy far fewer of the oilseeds from the U.S. than originally thought. 

China had committed to purchase 12 million metric tons of soybeans by the end of the year, the White House said after a trade agreement was struck with the Asian nation at the end of October. 

So far, China has purchased roughly 3 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans this year, according to data from USDA. 

Beijing also said it would buy 25 million metric tons in each of the ensuing three years as part of the agreement, the White House said at the time. 

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week that China would meet its obligation to buy the initial 12 million metric tons by the end of February, pushing back the timeline under which the Asian country must make the purchases. 

Corn and wheat were little changed as investors square positions ahead of several supply and demand reports from USDA that are scheduled to be released tomorrow. 

Soybean futures for January delivery lost 6½¢ to $10.98¾ a bushel overnight on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Soy meal was down 30¢ to $307.10 a short ton and soy oil dropped 0.26¢ to 51.43¢ a pound. 

Corn futures for March delivery rose ¾¢ to $4.45½ a bushel. 

Wheat futures for March delivery gained 1¢ to $5.36 3/4 a bushel, while Kansas City futures dropped 1¾¢ to $5.29½ a bushel. 

RELATED: Grains Mixed This Morning | Monday, Dec. 8, 2025

2. Investors Raise Bullish Bets on Beans, CFTC Says

Speculators raised their net long positions, or bets that prices will rise, in soybeans while reducing their bearish stance on corn in the week that ended on Oct. 28, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said in a report late Friday.

The data is the most recently released as the agency continues to play catch up from the government shutdown. 

Investors were net long by 120,019 futures contracts in soybeans, up from 37,493 a week earlier, CFTC said. That’s the highest level since April 2023. 

Money managers also cut their net short positions, or bets on lower prices, in corn last week to 82,925 futures contracts. 

That’s down from 159,272 contracts the previous week, the agency said. 

In wheat, hedge funds and other large investment first reduced their bearish bets on soft red winter futures to 73,331 contracts, the smallest net short position since Sept. 16 and down from 107,377 contracts the week prior. 

Investors cut their net shorts in hard red winter wheat to 52,208 futures contracts from 67,181 contracts a week earlier. That’s the smallest such position since Sept. 23. 

CFTC said it will continue to release two commitment of traders reports each week — other than the week of Christmas and New Year’s when it will send one report on Dec. 23 — until the end of January when it catches up with releases delayed during the government shutdown. 

The weekly Commitment of Traders report from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shows trader positions in futures markets.

The report provides positions held by commercial traders, or those using futures to hedge their physical assets; noncommercial traders, or money managers (also called large speculators); and nonreportables, or small speculators.

A net long position indicates more traders are betting on higher prices, while a net short position means more are betting futures will decline.

3. Windy Winter Weather Headed to Northern U.S. 

Windy and wintry weather is forecast for much of the northern U.S., according to National Weather Service maps. 

Winds in western and central North Dakota will be sustained from 30–40 mph tonight into tomorrow and gust up to 60 mph, the agency said in a report early this morning. 

“High winds may move lose debris, damage property, and cause power bumps,” NWS said. “Travel could be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.”

In northern and central Minnesota, meanwhile, winter weather advisories and winter storm watches have been issued as snow is expected. 

One to 3 inches of snow are forecast for the area starting this afternoon and lasting into tomorrow morning, the agency said. 

Snow will fall at a rate of a half-inch to an inch an hour early this evening, NWS said. 

ARTICLE: SUCCESSFUL FARMING, 12/8/25