CME Group announced last week that it is adjusting the protein specification for soybean meal and that it is implementing amendments to the soybean meal futures contract.

CME temporarily delisted the July 2019, October 2019 and December 2019 soybean meal futures contract months, but effective Dec. 15, 2016, those previously delisted contract months will be once again listed for trading. CME said it will also list the following new contract months: January 2019, March 2019, May 2019, July 2019, August 2019, September 2019, October 2019, December 2019, July 2020, October 2020 and December 2020.

Regarding the protein specifications, the exchange said the protein content of domestically grown soybeans has been decreasing as soybean production has shifted north and west. It said the cash market for soybean meal has evolved predominantly to a protein specification under CME’s 48.0% protein minimum. As a result, CME said it is adjusting protein specification down one-half of 1%; par will be 47.5% protein, with delivery without penalty or rejection down to 47.0%.

According to Reuters, CME is also considering adding St. Louis, Mo., as a delivery point for its corn futures contracts and has delayed listing new contracts from a Dec. 14 kickoff until it makes a decision. St. Louis is already a delivery point for both wheat and soybeans.

If approved, St. Louis would be the southernmost delivery point and should provide new options for farmers and traders along the lower Illinois River and the Mississippi River, said Fred Seamon, CME senior director of commodity research and product development.

The last time CME made changes to its delivery points for the corn contract was in 2000.