1. Market closed Monday: Commodity markets are closed for the Memorial Day holiday, as we honor those who've made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The DTN newsroom also will be closed, although some new stories are appearing on our products throughout the holiday weekend. Watch for market reports late Monday night; DTN subscribers will see their next Early Word market reports Tuesday morning.
2. Farm bill progress: As of this writing, the House Agriculture Committee advanced a $1.5 trillion farm bill out of committee on a bipartisan vote. Check out DTN Ag Policy Editor Chris Clayton's blog comparing this farm bill's progress to those he has covered since 2007 at . Clayton and DTN Political Correspondent Jerry Hagstrom will continue with news on the farm bill as it happens.
3. This week's weather: The final system in the incredibly active pattern moves through Sunday and Monday, though showers may linger into Tuesday. We'll see a short break, then another system will come through late in the week and weekend. Planting windows are tight, so our weekly Crop Progress report updates (out Tuesday due to the holiday) bear watching.
4. Final planting date looms: As rain stalls planting, the final planting date for full crop insurance coverage for corn is May 31 in some key production states.
5. Economic reports to watch: Monday, no reports due to Memorial Day holiday. Tuesday, at 8 a.m. the Case-Shiller Home Price Index hits the street. At 9 a.m. we'll see the latest Consumer Confidence numbers, followed by Grain Inspections at 10 a.m. and the 3 p.m. release of the USDA NASS weekly Crop Progress report. Wednesday we'll see the Broiler Hatchery numbers at 2 p.m. Then Thursday is a busier day, starting with several 7:30 a.m. reports, including Grain Export Sales, Initial Jobless Claims, the first quarter revision of US GDP numbers, U.S. trade balance and retail and wholesale inventories. At 9 a.m. we'll see Pending Home Sales reports. Friday reports also kick off at 7:30 a.m. with Personal Income and Spending, PCE Index and Core PCE Index numbers. At 2:30 p.m. we'll have the CFTC's Commitment of Traders report.