Sunrise Briefing · Sample

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Dry, cool morning with frost risk tonight. Soybeans and wheat rallied overnight on supply tightness. Corn planting window opening soon — soil temps trending up. Three field-work days available before the next moisture system.

🟡

Frost Risk Tonight

Low of 28°F expected after midnight. Cover any early transplants and check irrigation lines for freeze exposure. Temps recover to 54°F by 10 AM Thursday.

Weather

✅

Dry Window — 3 Field-Work Days

No precipitation through Saturday. Ideal window for pre-plant herbicide applications and any remaining tillage. Wind 10–15 mph Wednesday and Thursday — spray early morning.

Weather

ℹ️

Soybeans +1.57% Overnight — Sell/Hold Decision Point

New crop beans now up 2.1% on the week. Basis strengthening at Logan County elevators. Consider pre-selling a portion of expected bushels if you're under 20% forward-contracted.

Market

ℹ️

Corn Planting Window Opens Next Week

Soil temps at 4" depth averaging 48–50°F, targeting 50°F threshold for planting. Forecast supports crossing that threshold by April 14–16. Equipment readiness check recommended now.

Ops

Weather Outlook

🌤️

52°F

Mostly Clear — Akron, CO

Feels like 47°F

Humidity 35%

Wind 12 mph NW

Dew point 22°F

🌅 Sunrise 6:28 AM MT

🌇 Sunset 7:41 PM MT

Today

🌤️

58° 28°

12 mph

Thu

☀️

62° 34°

15 mph

Fri

⛅

64° 38°

10 mph

Sat

🌥️

59° 40°

20% rain

18 mph

Sun

🌧️

54° 36°

65% rain

22 mph

Mon

⛅

57° 35°

10% rain

14 mph

Tue

☀️

65° 40°

11 mph

Field Work Windows

🌿 Best spray window this week: Thursday 6–10 AM — wind 8 mph, 0% rain

Day	🌿 Spray	🌱 Plant	✂️ Cut / Harvest
Today	⚠️ WAIT wind 12 mph — spray 6–9 AM	✅ GO dry, temp 58°F	✅ GO dry, wind 12 mph
Thu	✅ GO 6–10 AM wind 8 mph, 0% rain	✅ GO dry, temp 62°F	✅ GO dry, wind 15 mph
Fri	✅ GO 6–10 AM wind 9 mph, 0% rain	✅ GO dry, temp 64°F	✅ GO dry, wind 10 mph
Sat	⚠️ WAIT 20% rain PM	⚠️ WAIT 20% rain chance	⚠️ WAIT 20% rain chance
Sun	🚫 NO wind 22 mph, 65% rain	🚫 NO 65% rain chance	🚫 NO 65% rain, wind 22 mph

Commodity Markets

Corn

$4.52 /bu

▼ -0.03 (-0.66%)

Range: $4.48 – $4.57

5-day: -1.2%

Wheat

$5.98 /bu

▲ +0.11 (+1.88%)

Range: $5.84 – $6.02

5-day: +0.8%

Soybeans

$11.63 /bu

▲ +0.18 (+1.57%)

Range: $11.51 – $11.74

5-day: +2.1%

Live Cattle

$2.46 /lb

▼ -0.02 (-0.81%)

Range: $2.43 – $2.49

5-day: -0.3%

Feeder Cattle

$3.71 /lb

▲ +0.04 (+1.09%)

Range: $3.67 – $3.74

5-day: +1.4%

USDA Intel

📊 WASDE

Apr 2026

Corn ending stocks revised down 125M bushels on stronger-than-expected ethanol demand and export pace — first meaningful drawdown since 2021
Wheat global stocks tightened as EU drought cuts French and German yield estimates; U.S. hard red winter condition at 42% G/E, down 4 points month-over-month
Soybean crush pace 3.2% ahead of last year's record; South American production confirmed lower, lending support to new crop futures

📊 Crop Progress

Apr 7, 2026

Corn planting at 8% complete nationally — 3 points ahead of the 5-year average; Colorado still 0%, consistent with typical April timing
Winter wheat condition 45% G/E, down 2 points from prior week; dry conditions in southern Plains raising concern for yield potential
Soil moisture rated adequate to surplus across northern Plains and Corn Belt; Colorado's northeast corner near Akron rated adequate

📊 Cattle on Feed

Mar 2026

On-feed inventory 98.2% of year-ago — slightly below expectations, which is mildly supportive for fed cattle prices near-term
Placements at 102.1% of last year, higher than trade guesses; heavier placements could pressure prices in 4–5 month feeding horizon
Marketings at 97.8% due to packer scheduling delays from labor constraints; may create short-term backed-up supply into May

Today's Action Items

🌱

Consider pre-selling 10–15% of soybean bushels

Beans up 2.1% on the week with basis strengthening at local elevators. New crop July contracts approaching resistance at $12.00/bu.

Market

🌡️

Prepare for frost tonight — low 28°F

Move any early transplants or container seedlings indoors. Drain exposed irrigation lines or run drip systems overnight to prevent freeze damage.

Weather

🚜

Use the dry window for pre-plant herbicide work

Three dry days through Saturday. Spray early morning Wednesday–Thursday when winds are under 10 mph. Next rain chance Sunday at 65%.

Ops

📋

Run equipment pre-season check this week

Corn planting window opens April 14–16 as soil temps cross 50°F threshold. Planter inspection, seed meter calibration, and row cleaner setup should happen now — not during planting.

Ops

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