By DTN Staff

OMAHA (DTN) -- Here are the Top 5 things the DTN Newsroom is tracking for the week of April 12. 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 Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.

1. Markets and prices: Following a ho-hum World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report this past week, traders will return to tracking South American and U.S. weather and any demand news about China. We'll also monitor market reactions to the realities of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire.

2. Drought situation changes: While much of the Corn Belt saw soil moisture conditions improve, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map release shows drought is still very widespread across much of the West, Plains, South and Southeast, with some growth last week in Kentucky and Tennessee. Western Kansas and eastern Colorado saw drought worsen as farms there were largely bypassed by the week's three systems. For the latest commentary on dry conditions and expectations for the coming weeks, see our Ag Weather Forum blog here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

3. This week's weather: Rain systems will continue this week, improving conditions where it falls. But it's likely rain won't get to all who need it. The Southeast will stay very dry, an issue for livestock and specialty crops in that region.

4. Crop growing conditions: Reports of soil crusting and other emergence problems continue in some areas. Growers are also battling heavy winds in between the rains, making for some suspect spraying decisions. Weekly USDA NASS Crop Progress reports also are in full swing; watch for our coverage each Monday afternoon. After reports are released around 3 p.m., our analysis is posted soon after.

5. Reports due this week: Monday at 9 a.m., Existing Home Sales. At 10 a.m., Grain Inspections. At 2 p.m., Turkey Hatchery then at 3 p.m., Crop Progress report. Tuesday reports are all at 7:30 a.m. with Producer Price Index (PPI), and Core PPI. Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. is the Import Price Index for March and the Empire State Manufacturing Survey. At 9 a.m., Home Builders Confidence Index, at 9:30 a.m. the EIA weekly petroleum status report, including ethanol production and stocks. Then at 1 p.m., Fed Beige Book and at 2 p.m., Broiler Hatchery data. Thursday at 7:30 a.m., Grain Export Sales, Initial Jobless Claims, Advance Retail Sales and Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey. At 8:15 a.m., Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization. At 9 a.m., Business Inventories. At 2 p.m., Slaughter Weekly. Friday at 7:30 a.m. we'll see Housing Starts for March and Building Permits. At 2 p.m., Cattle on Feed. At 2:30 p.m., CFTC's Commitment of Traders report.

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