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    <h2>Current Market Prices</h2>
    <p>As of the close of trading today, March corn saw a slight increase, ending the day at <strong>$4.40½</strong> per bushel, up by <strong>4¢</strong>. In contrast, the January soybeans experienced a decrease of <strong>4½¢</strong>, settling at <strong>$10.58¼</strong> per bushel.</p>

    <p>In the wheat market, March CBOT wheat closed down by <strong>3¼¢</strong>, finishing at <strong>$5.06¼</strong> per bushel. Meanwhile, March Kansas City wheat saw a small uptick, up <strong>2¾¢</strong> to <strong>$5.07¾</strong>, while March Minneapolis wheat fell <strong>3¢</strong> to <strong>$5.62</strong>.</p>
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    <h2>Market Insights</h2>
    <p>Karl Setzer, a partner at Consus Ag Consulting, commented on the trading environment, stating, “Futures trade was narrowly mixed on the open this morning but favored the downside. A lack of buying interest ahead of the holidays and year-end remains the primary causes of this pressure. Outside markets turned positive to start today’s trade, attracting managed money interest.”</p>
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    <h2>Livestock Market Overview</h2>
    <p>The livestock market also faced some challenges today. March feeder cattle ended down <strong>$1.28</strong>, priced at <strong>$336.33</strong> per hundredweight (cwt). February live cattle dropped <strong>$1.15</strong> to close at <strong>$229.55</strong> per cwt, while February lean hogs fell <strong>$1.78</strong>, settling at <strong>$83</strong> per cwt.</p>
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    <h2>Energy and Equity Market Movement</h2>
    <p>On the energy front, February crude oil saw a slight increase of <strong>$1.58</strong>, closing at <strong>$56.71</strong> per barrel. However, the equity markets were down, with the S&P 500 Index falling <strong>78.75 points</strong> and the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreasing <strong>228.29 points</strong>.</p>
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    <p><em>Published: 3:25 p.m. CT</em></p>
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