By DTN Staff

OMAHA (DTN) -- Here are the Top 5 things the DTN Newsroom is tracking for the week of Jan. 23. Watch for coverage of these and other topics through the week on our subscription platforms as well as on www.DTNPF.com.

Note that all report release times are Central Standard Time unless otherwise noted.

1. Market looks South. While recent bullish prices have caused some grain sales in the United States, most market eyes are on South America. Some areas are wet just as harvest nears, others are dry and the crop has some ways to go before the combines roll. We'll have more coverage of that through the week.

2. Winter weather update: Several clippers will move across the north early in the week, but with generally warmer conditions they will bring showers, not snow. Shower chances increase through much of the country later in the week. Temperatures will be variable, but generally on a rising trend as the week progresses.
3. Convention season starts: This week is the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in San Antonio, and we'll have regular coverage from the event. We're sure there will be commentary and thoughts on the new U.S. administration, cabinet appointments and trade issues.

4. Fed interest rates and other changes: Following the past week's whirlwind of executive orders and announcements, all eyes are on Wednesday's Federal Reserve interest rate decision. While expectations have been for the Fed to hold interest rates steady this round, the question is how Fed Chair Jerome Powell and others respond to President Donald Trump's demands for a drop in rates. That demand comes despite many economists' comments that President Trump's initial policy pushes will likely slow economic growth, increase unemployment, and increase inflationary pressures, at least in the near-term.

5. Economic reports to watch: Monday there is the 9 a.m. release of New Home Sales data, followed by Grain Inspections reports at 10 a.m. Then Tuesday starts with Durable Goods Orders numbers at 7.30 a.m., then at 8 a.m. the S&P Case-Shiller home price index. At 9 a.m. we'll see Consumer Confidence numbers, and the latest Livestock and Meat Domestic Data at 2 p.m. On Wednesday, we'll watch for the 7:30 a.m. release of U.S. Trade Balance, Retail Inventories and Wholesale Inventories figures. At 1 p.m. we'll get the Fed Interest Rate decision, followed by Chairman Powell's press conference at 1:30 p.m. At 2 p.m. Broiler Hatchery numbers are released. Thursday the latest Grain Export Sales figures are out at 7:30 a.m., as are Sales and First Quarter GDP figures. At 9 a.m. we'll see Pending Home Sales numbers, the latest Weekly Economic Index figures hit at 10:30 a.m., and at 2 p.m. we have Weekly Slaughter figures. Friday reports start at 7:30 a.m. with Personal Income and Spending, PCE Index and Core PCE Index data. At 2 p.m. the latest Agricultural Prices report is out from National Agricultural Statistics Service, as is the biannual report on cattle inventory, values and other data. At 2:30 p.m. is the weekly CFTC Commitment of Traders report.

DTN bonus content: In our latest Field Posts podcast episode E228 called "Insights into the New Secretary of Agriculture," hosted by Sarah Mock, DTN Ag Policy Editor Chris Clayton dives into how it has been a hectic eight weeks in Washington since the re-election of Donald Trump. There has been a non-stop torrent of news that will, and is already, affecting American agriculture, from disaster aid to Farm Bill updates to the nomination of Secretaries of Agriculture, the EPA, FDA, and others.

Clayton is fresh off the confirmation hearing for Brooke Rollins, the nominee to be Secretary of Agriculture, and he brings us reactions from farm trade groups and the wider agriculture community. He breaks down the most recent scuttlebutt on a range of issues, including the possibility of trade tariffs, and what the Trump administration might do for farmers to dampen the blow of likely retaliation.

He'll also discuss the impact of deportations on ag labor, and dig into what may lay ahead for the world of biofuels, from support at USDA and EPA to possible changes at Commerce to critical biofuel tax credits.

He'll share the latest about the Farm Bill, and why, despite the fact there's Republican majorities in both chambers, we might be no closer to a measure in 2025.

Clayton will then discuss the questions around Trump's promised Trump tax reforms, RFK Jr.'s MAHA agenda, and what to keep an eye on in the weeks ahead.

You can listen to this and other Field Posts podcasts at https://www.dtnpf.com/…, https://www.buzzsprout.com/… and they're also available on podcast hosting sites such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Watch for the latest news at www.dtnpf.com, and follow and like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dtnprogressivefarmer. You can find our news on Instagram as well. Give us a follow @dtn.agnews

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