I am looking into scalping the corn futures (ZC on CBOT).
What are the most important reports affecting ZC and when are they released?

Also, I am planning to be watching the nearest two months of ZC as there are periods where both are liquid enough to trade and a lot of spreading is going on which might be helpful to decide which month to go long/short.

What other markets do you recommend I should watch?

Sheen 

I am looking into scalping the corn futures (ZC on CBOT). What are the most important reports affecting ZC and when are they released? Also, I am planning to be watching the nearest two months of ZC as there are periods where both are liquid enough to trade and a lot of spreading is going on which might be helpful to decide which month to go long/short. What other markets do you recommend I should watch?

I trade corn regularly, but I do not scalp.

The most important reports regarding this commodity are published monthly by USDA: World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates

There is a thread on "Grains & Beans" where you might find additional Information.

Best regards, Myrrdin

What time of day is it usually released?
Are there any other reports worth mentioning? I cannot find them in the thread you suggested

Sheen 

What time of day is it usually released?

At that link it lists 12:00pm ET for the next 4 pending releases.

Sheen 

What time of day is it usually released? Are there any other reports worth mentioning? I cannot find them in the thread you suggested

These USDA reports are released at 11 am Chicago Time (18.00 Central European Time).

There are other important events, but they are not published as regularly as these reports, or they are not as important. During planting season there are weekly reports on the status of the plants or the harvest, released each Monday at 3 pm Chicago Time. And there are reports on weekly shipments each Monday and on weekly export sales each Thurday. I think these reports are published at 7.30 am (Chicago Time), but I am not sure. There is a very important report on prospective planting in March, and there are several crop tours around this time of the year (August / September). These reports are not published at a scheduled time.

Best regards, Myrrdin

Many thanks.

There is also the issue of a famous "limit move". Could you explain a bit more how this works and how can this be a threat to me as a scalper? Does it happen after these reports are released usually, or can it be at any random time?

If there is a limit move, when does the market usually re-open? Is it always the next day?

Sheen 

Many thanks. There is also the issue of a famous "limit move". Could you explain a bit more how this works and how can this be a threat to me as a scalper? Does it happen after these reports are released usually, or can it be at any random time? If there is a limit move, when does the market usually re-open? Is it always the next day?

I will explain it for corn futures. (There is no limit move for options.)

Corn futures can move 25 c per day. The trade is halted until there is a trade within the limit. In case the market is locked limit at the time of the close trade begins again on the next day. There is an expanded limit on a day after a limit move of 40 c.

Often limit moves happen after important reports or - during a weather market - on Mondays, if there is a surprizing weather report on Sunday.

Find here the daily limits for other commodities:
Price Limit Update

It is difficult for me to give an advice regarding scalping, as I never traded this way. But probably I would end trading close to the limits.

Best regards, Myrrdin

myrrdin 

I will explain it for corn futures. (There is no limit move for options.) Corn futures can move 25 c per day. The trade is halted until there is a trade within the limit. In case the market is locked limit at the time of the close trade begins again on the next day. There is an expanded limit on a day after a limit move of 40 c. Often limit moves happen after important reports or - during a weather market - on Mondays, if there is a surprizing weather report on Sunday. Find here the daily limits for other commodities: Price Limit Update It is difficult for me to give an advice regarding scalping, as I never traded this way. But probably I would end trading close to the limits. Best regards, Myrrdin

So, in most cases does it happen with a gap after the previous day close or during a session? How often does a limit move happen

You should look for deeper liquidity to be a scalper. This is my opinion.

Matt Z
Optimus Futures

There is a substantial risk of loss in futures trading. Past performance is not indicative of future results.