By DTN Staff

OMAHA (DTN) -- Here are the Top 5 things the DTN Newsroom is tracking for the week of Nov. 16. Watch for coverage of these and other topics throughout the week on our subscription platforms as well as on www.DTNPF.com.

Note that all report release and webinar times are Central Standard Time unless otherwise noted. Government reports may also be subject to delays or cancellations as reporting offices catch up after the prolonged government shutdown.

1. Government reopens: With the reopening of the federal government, we're expecting to see a large group of economic-indicator reports return, shedding light on how the economy has fared during the past months. Labor, housing and other general economy reports are on the docket for the week (see item 5 below.) The USDA NASS weekly Crop Progress report is expected to come out on Monday, and Friday, the monthly Cattle on Feed report will be released at 2 p.m. Keep an eye out this week for both DTN's COF report preview story, as well as analysis after the report comes out.

For the latest on ag-related government actions and deadlines, watch the Ag Policy blog here: https://www.dtnpf.com/…

2. WOTUS, other announcements: We're hearing a number of federal decisions may be coming on policies such as Waters of The United States. Expect some "catch up" here, as well, as federal agencies come back on line.

3. Rains, warm weather this week: A system will bring through scattered showers and a few thunderstorms across the upper Midwest on Monday and Tuesday. It may be snow on the northern edge from southern Minnesota to Lower Michigan. A much bigger system will move through Thursday and Friday with more widespread precipitation. The rain will improve soil moisture for winter wheat and could reduce some of the drought in the region. In the Central and Southern Plains, a stronger system will move in on Wednesday with widespread rainfall into Friday. Another system is forecast to move in early next week with more showers. Conditions are forecast to be quite warm into next week, though a massive cold burst could hit on or just after Thanksgiving.

4. South American weather: A front moved into southern Brazil this weekend and is bringing a wave of heavy rainfall north during the next couple of days. Fronts moving up from Argentina are less likely to have significant precipitation with them over southern Brazil, which may be on the precipice of some worsening conditions for corn and soybeans as we get into the heart of the growing season in December. In Argentina, rains have continued to keep soil moisture high, though conditions appear to be turning drier for the next few weeks.

5. Reports due this week: Here are expected markets and economic reports due this week. Times or days could be changed as reporting offices catch up following the prolonged government shutdown. Monday, at 10 a.m. is Grain Inspections. At 3 p.m. is USDA NASS weekly Crop Progress report. Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. the Import Price Index data is due. At 8:15 a.m. Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization is out, followed by 9 a.m. release of Homebuilder Confidence Index. Wednesday, at 7:30 a.m. we expect to see Housing Starts and Building Permits. At 9:30 a.m. EIA's weekly petroleum status report, including ethanol production, stocks are scheduled. Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Export Sales for the week ending Oct. 2 and Initial Jobless Claims are due, then at 9 a.m. Existing Home Sales and U.S. Leading Economic Indicators. At 10:30 a.m. the Weekly Economic Index is due. Friday at 8:45 a.m. we're expecting the S&P Flash Services PMI and Flash Manufacturing PMI. At 9 a.m. we'll look for Consumer Sentiment and at 2 p.m. the monthly Cattle on Feed report followed at 2:30 p.m. by CFTC's Commitment of Traders report.

Bonus content: Want to find out more about what's coming next for farmers now that the government has reopened? The resumption of funding means that many furloughed USDA employees will be getting back to work, and farmers and ranchers across the country can finally expect some forward movement on issues from biofuels to possible trade aid.

To help guide us through what to expect in the coming days, DTN Ag Policy Editor Chris Clayton was interviewed by DTN Field Posts Podcast Host Sarah Mock on Episode 268. Clayton has followed every beat of the shutdown and brings listeners up to date on all the news from Capitol Hill that's happened in the meantime. Clayton provides analysis about how the longest government shutdown in history ended, and what it could mean for key agricultural issues going forward.

Then, Clayton and Mock dive into the latest from the Trump administration, including controversies around trade with China, the soybean market, and prices in the beef markets. Clayton gives an update on the tariff picture overall, and a look ahead at what might be expected from Congress and the Administration between now and the end of the year.

Finally, they'll explore the potential for a farm aid package in the coming weeks, the likelihood of reopening the Southern border, and talk about why ag trade groups are focusing on demands around biofuels right now.

You can find DTN Field Posts podcasts at https://dtn.link/…, or https://www.dtnpf.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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