The Calm Before the Planting Storm
- Ryan Tungseth
- Apr 17
- 2 min read
Spring Signals Are Flashing—But Markets Aren’t Cooperating (Yet)
As traders wrap up their week ahead of the long weekend, many are enjoying a rare moment of calm. But while the trading floor quiets down, fields across the upper Midwest are about to get loud. With above-average temperatures and little late-season snow in areas like west-central Minnesota, conditions are looking good for early planting—a major signal for the ag markets.
Unlike last year’s chaotic spring, this season feels more stable. But that surface calm is hiding a deeper market confusion. Despite favorable weather patterns, volatility has all but vanished in the grain complex, particularly in soybeans. For traders, this creates a classic hedge dilemma: when the market doesn’t move, should you?