From Silence to Surge: How One Weekend Sparked a Soybean Shake-Up

Volatility is Back — and So Are the Opportunities

The Calm Before the Surge

For months, the grain markets were quiet—too quiet. Volatility drained out of the system, option prices stayed cheap, and producers were left waiting for something—anything—to move. Then one weekend changed everything.

A surprise trade deal announcement lit a fire under soybeans, sending prices higher and phones ringing across farm country. After a season of stillness, the market suddenly feels alive again. And when volatility comes back, so do the opportunities.

81 Million Acres, and a Lot of Questions

Jon and Ryan zeroed in on one number this week: 81 million acres. That’s the latest U.S. soybean acreage figure, and it’s shaking up how producers think about marketing into 2026.

Low acreage and renewed Chinese demand could keep upside potential alive—but the rally won’t last forever. South America’s expanding production remains a wild card, and domestic demand must keep pace if prices are going to hold.

The takeaway? Start planning your next move now. The best marketers don’t wait for perfect clarity—they build flexibility into their strategy.

Cattle in Freefall

While beans were climbing, cattle took a beating. A single tweet from Argentina sent feeders tumbling and exposed a key lesson in risk management.

Jon broke down why LRP insurance isn’t as flexible as many think—and why puts still offer the advantage when markets turn fast. If you’re in cattle, this week’s volatility is a reminder of why you hedge, even when things look steady.

What Comes Next

Volatility is back across the board—corn, beans, cattle, even metals are starting to stir.

For producers, that means more opportunities and more risk. The quiet markets of the summer are over.

This is the time to be on the phone, checking in, setting targets, and getting plans in place.

Because when everything moves at once, every decision matters.

🎧 Listen to this week’s episode→ [RIGHT HERE]