Grain > Commentary > 1-4-2024

1/4/2024

Jan 04, 2024

The slow grind of the market continued on Thursday with soybeans giving back 4-9 cents but corn found some interest, ending the session slightly higher out to the December 24 contract. March corn spreads were firmer again, today, as well. Trade is still waiting for a story to develop for U.S. corn and soybean demand appears to be satisfied. Wheat rallied today on rumors of more China business. Funds and spec money is content to stay net short until we get something to spark this market higher. News continues to be entirely routine and slow and the market doesn't look like it will do much ahead of next week's report. Weekly ethanol data showed production down 58,000 barrels/day to 1.049 million barrels. Stocks were increased by 100,000 barrels to 23.6 mln bbls.

Corn continues to consolidate sideways/lower towards a potential breakout on report day.

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2/10/2026
Feb 10, 2026
It was USDA report day today and it turned out to be a yawner.  The markets never really reacted to the report, and the grains finished the day about where they started with corn unchanged and beans up 12 on the day.  US corn carryout was pegged at 2.127 billion bushels vs the average trade guess of 2.227 billion.  World corn carryout was placed at 288.98 MMT vs the average trade guess of 290.48 MMT. 
1/12/2026
Jan 12, 2026
Well, the USDA report had a bit of a surprise today and not in a good way.  Not only did they increase the 2025 corn yield, from 186.0 to 186.5, they also increased Harvest Acres from 90 million to 91.3 million.  That raised the total corn production to 17.021 billion, up an additional 269 million bushels from their previous estimate.  U.S. Ending Stocks are now estimated at 2.227 bbu, vs. 2.209 in Dec.  Report trade guesses were at 1.97 bbu.
11/14/2025
Nov 14, 2025
It was USDA report day today and overall, it was bearish for both corn and beans.  Corn Yield was only reduced by .7 bpa down to 186 bpa.  The market was expecting closer to 184 bpa.  Corn production is estimated at 16.752 billion vs 16.814 billion in September.  They raised exports 100 million, which is debatable, but possible.  Ending stocks on corn were estimated at 2.154 billion bushels, which is up 44 million from September and about 29 million more than the market expected.