Current situation offers North America reasons for both concern and optimism.

Corn, soybean and wheat sales all gain ground from the prior week.

Beef exports through July up 15% from same period last year.

Feeder cattle movement appears to be holding up well into early September.

Corn stays at 68% good-to-excellent, with soybean dropping one point to 67%.

Numerous anomalies identified in the cattle futures market and R-CALF suspects packers were making trades in the futures market to drive cash cattle prices downward.

Table egg, egg product export value, volume down in July compared to last year.

Wheat export inspections also down slightly versus the prior week.