Yeah, I got a copy, as well. I was surprised at how concise it is. It was definitely worth the money.
Would have to agree. I trade similar to the OP and I quickly learned that fundamental data gets priced into the market before you can act on it. A mathematical advantage can be developed based on the specs and volatility of instruments in question. That's the route I've chosen and it has served me very well. Fundamental data in the futures market is about as useful as it is in the stock market -- not very.
Thanks for your comment. For some reason, the OP and some other guy seem to equate price action with scalping. Where'd they get such an idea, I have no clue.
Categories of fundamental data in the ags markets are numerous, as are interpretations of widely-disseminated data, and opinions formed (and acted upon over different timeframes) by pro traders who collect and analyse their own data, and commercials who take time to arrive at hedging decisions. How can you assess that all this is fully reflected instantaneously in the price ? Perhaps you are referring to major releases, single data points, such as USDA reports. But even those are disputed and subsequently revised. As a private trader, you can take a stance that all that information that is known is at that moment fully reflected in the price (EMH), and decide to pursue a purely technical approach. That personal decision doesn't render all the fundamental data as 'not very useful' to others who might use it in different and novel ways to inform/support their trading. Per the hedge fund databases, discretionary ag CTAs mostly outperform systematic.