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10-1 End of Day: Corn and Wheat Continue Higher, While Beans Consolidate

All prices as of 2:00 pm Central Time

Corn
DEC ’24 429 4.25
MAR ’25 446.5 5.25
DEC ’25 457.5 3.5
Soybeans
NOV ’24 1057.25 0.25
JAN ’25 1075.5 0.25
NOV ’25 1095.75 1
Chicago Wheat
DEC ’24 599 15
MAR ’25 619.5 15.25
JUL ’25 637 16
K.C. Wheat
DEC ’24 598.25 14.5
MAR ’25 613.5 15.25
JUL ’25 629.75 16.75
Mpls Wheat
DEC ’24 634.75 13
MAR ’25 656.25 13
SEP ’25 676 11
S&P 500
DEC ’24 5781.5 -32.75
Crude Oil
DEC ’24 69.35 1.58
Gold
DEC ’24 2684.9 25.5

Grain Market Highlights

  • With carryover support from the wheat market, and an increase in geopolitical tensions, the corn market shook off lower prices from the overnight session to settle in the top third of the day’s range.
  • Caught between higher soybean meal and lower bean oil, the soybean market settled near unchanged after trading on both sides of unchanged in a 20-cent top to bottom trading range.
  • Rising tensions in the Middle East drove strong gains across all three wheat classes, with Chicago and Kansas City contracts leading the way, closing near the top of their 25-cent daily ranges. Additional support came from increasing Russian export prices.
  • To see the updated US 7-day precipitation forecast, and 8 – 14 day Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks, courtesy of NOAA and the Climate Prediction Center, scroll down to the other Charts/Weather section.

Note – For the best viewing experience, some Grain Market Insider content is best viewed with your phone held horizontally.

Corn

Action Plan: Corn

Calls

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Cash

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Puts

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Corn Action Plan Summary

Since printing a market low in late August, the corn market has rallied largely on fund short covering as the rush of old crop bushels into the market has slowed and demand has picked up. While the harvest of an expectedly large crop may limit upside potential, it is a good sign that corn buyers are finding value at these multi-year low price levels. Any unexpected downward shift in anticipated supply or increase in demand could trigger managed funds to cover more of their short positions and rally prices further, however, an extended rally is unlikely until after harvest.

  • No new action is recommended for 2024 corn. In June, we recommended purchasing Dec ’24 470 and 510 calls after Dec ’24 closed below 451, due to their relative value and the typically high market volatility during that time of year. Although we no longer have an upside objective for additional sales for now, we continue to target a value of 29 cents to exit the Dec ’24 470 calls. Exiting at this level will allow you to lock in gains that offset much of the original position’s cost, while holding the remaining 510 calls at or near a net-neutral cost. This strategy should continue to protect existing sales and provide confidence for further sales during an extended rally. Since harvest time is not an advantageous sales window, we will begin evaluating market conditions once it concludes and target areas for additional sales recommendations in late fall or early winter.
  • No new action is currently recommended for 2025 corn. Between early June and late July Grain Market Insider made three separate sales recommendations to get early sales made for next year’s crop. Considering the seasonal weakness of the market in late summer and early fall, we will not be looking to post any targeted areas for new sales until late fall or early winter. Although, we will look to protect current sales, in the form of buying call options, should the market begin to show signs of a potential extended rally.
  • No Action is currently recommended for 2026 corn. We currently aren’t considering any recommendations at this time for the 2026 crop that will be planted 2 years from now, and it may be some time before conditions are conducive to consider making any recommendations. Be patient as we monitor the markets for signs of improvement.

To date, Grain Market Insider has issued the following corn recommendations:

Market Notes: Corn

  • Strong wheat prices and geopolitical events triggered additional buying in the corn market as prices closed higher. December corn futures close above the 100-day moving average for the first time since June 13. The improved technical picture and strong money flow will likely lead to additional short covering in the corn market despite corn harvest ramping up.
  • During the session, Iran launched missiles into Israel, which triggered strong buying in the crude oil markets. That buying strength faded as the session moved into the afternoon, but the strength in crude oil supported the commodity space in general.
  • Harvest pressure will remain a factor in the market as the US corn harvest is 21% complete, matching last year’s progress at this time and ahead of the 5-year average. Weather forecasts predict favorable conditions for the next few days, which should help maintain a good harvest pace.
  • USDA announced a flash sale of corn before the session this morning. Unknown destination picked up 195,000 mt of corn for delivery in the current market year.
  • Wheat futures may continue to lead the corn market higher, closing at their highest levels since early July. This was driven by hot, dry weather in the Black Sea region and rising geopolitical tensions. The buying strength in wheat has also supported the corn market.

Soybeans

Action Plan: Soybeans

Calls

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Cash

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Puts

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Soybeans Action Plan Summary

After posting what appears to be a seasonal low in mid-August, the soybean market has gradually moved higher as growing conditions in the US became drier during the later stages of crop development and have remained dry in key soybean-growing areas of South America. During this time, managed funds have covered large portions of their sizable, short positions, setting the stage for potential volatility in either direction. Higher prices might occur if conditions deteriorate further, prompting more fund buying, or a downside break in prices could happen if conditions improve, leading funds to potentially reestablish short positions. Seasonally, once harvest is complete, prices tend to firm as hedge pressure subsides and a South American weather premium tends to build.

  • No new action is recommended for the 2024 crop. In early June, when our Plan B strategy was triggered by the market’s close below 1180, we recommended making sales at that time due to the potential change in trend signaled by that weak close. While we don’t currently have a target range for additional sales, because harvest time typically does not present the most advantageous prices, we will begin evaluating market conditions once it concludes and will target areas for additional sales recommendations in late fall or early winter.
  • No Action is currently recommended for 2025 Soybeans. To date, Grain Market Insider has not recommended any sales for next year’s soybean crop yet. First sales targets will probably be set in late fall or early winter at the earliest. Currently, our focus is on watching for opportunities to recommend buying call options. Should Nov ‘25 reach the upper 1100 range, the likelihood of an extended rally would increase, and we would recommend buying upside call options at that time in preparation for that possibility.
  • No Action is currently recommended for 2026 Soybeans. We currently aren’t considering any recommendations at this time for the 2026 crop that will be planted 2 years from now, and it may be some time before conditions are conducive to consider making any recommendations. Be patient as we monitor the markets for signs of improvement.

To date, Grain Market Insider has issued the following soybean recommendations:

Market Notes: Soybeans

  • Soybeans ended the day nearly unchanged after a day of volatile trade that saw prices dip as low as 1045 and as high as 1065 ½ in the November contract. The escalation of conflict in the Middle East as well as the dockworker’s port strike likely added to the volatility with macro influences. Soybean meal ended the day higher while soybean oil was lower despite higher crude.
  • Yesterday’s Crop Progress report showed the soybean good to excellent rating unchanged from a week ago at 64%. 81% of the crop is dropping leaves and 26% is harvested which compares to 13% a week ago and the average of 18%.
  • This morning, the USDA reported private export sales of 195,000 metric tons of soybeans for delivery to unknown destinations during the 24/25 marketing year.
  • With dockworkers at ports on the East Coast of the country from Maine to Texas now on strike, exports of ag products could be affected. Soybeans and soybean meal are exported on cargo ships that typically leave out of the West Coast, but with other trade being routed through the western ports, bottlenecks may occur and have a negative impact on soybeans.

Above: November soybeans’ strong close above 1031 ¼ resistance suggests that prices could run toward the late July high between 1080 – 1085. Above there, further resistance could be met near the 100-day moving average. If prices retreat, initial support may be found near 1030, with further downside support between the 50-day moving average and 995.

Wheat

Market Notes: Wheat

  • Wheat posted double-digit gains in all three classes alongside sharply higher Matif wheat futures. US wheat appeared to ignore the negativity of a higher US Dollar Index, as well as the port worker strike that did occur last night. However, a statement from the USDA did seem to indicate that grains would be largely unaffected by this strike.
  • According to the USDA’s Crop Progress report, US winter wheat is 39% planted as of September 29. This is ahead of the 36% pace last year and the 38% average. Additionally, 14% of the crop has emerged, which is just above 13% from both last year and the 5-year average.
  • According to both SovEcon and IKAR, Russian wheat export FOB values have increased to around $221-$222 per mt. This is up from the $217 area just a day or two ago. A continued rise in Russian prices would be bullish, as it would make US wheat exports more competitive globally.
  • This afternoon, news outlets reported that Iran had launched dozens of missiles into Israel in retaliation for the killing of a Hezbollah leader. This had the crude oil market up sharply, which may have lent some support to the grain complex. In addition, fears of an all-out war in the Middle East may have lent some strength to wheat, as it is a staple grain in that region.
  • The EU’s Monitoring Agricultural Resources unit projected the 2024 Russian wheat crop at 82.9 mmt, down 11% from the previous year’s 93.6 mmt. Weather extremes, including both overly wet conditions as well as hot and dry spells, are cited as the reason for the decline.
  • Ukraine’s agriculture ministry reported that 1.82 million hectares of winter grains have been planted so far, which is about 35% of the total intended area. Of this, winter wheat accounts for 1.7 million hectares, or approximately 93% of the total.

Action Plan: Chicago Wheat

Calls

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Cash

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Puts

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Chicago Wheat Action Plan Summary

After posting a seasonal low in late July, the wheat market staged a rally that began in late August triggered by crop concerns due to wet conditions in the EU, and smaller crops out of Russia and Ukraine. The nearly 80-cent rally from the August low to September high also saw Managed funds cover about two-thirds of their net short positions. While low Russian export prices continue to be a limiting factor for higher US prices, a new season is upon us with many uncertainties ahead that could keep volatility in the market. Additionally, US export sales remain ahead of the pace set last year and in 2022, and any increase in demand from lower World supplies could rally prices further.

  • No new action is recommended for 2024 Chicago wheat. Considering the rally in wheat back in May, we recommended taking advantage of the elevated prices to make additional sales and buy upside July ’25 860 and 1020 calls (for their extended time frame) in case of a protracted rally. Our current strategy is to target 740 – 760 versus Dec ’24 to recommend further sales, while also targeting a selling price of about 73 cents in the 860 calls to achieve a net neutral cost on the remaining 1020 calls. The remaining 1020 calls would then continue to protect existing sales and give you confidence to make additional sales at higher prices.
  • No new action is recommended for 2025 Chicago wheat. Recently, we recommended taking advantage of the wheat rally to sell more of your anticipated 2025 SRW production. While we continue to recommend holding the remaining July ’25 620 puts — after advising to exit the first half back in July — to maintain downside coverage for any unsold bushels, we are targeting a 10-15% extension from our last sale to the 650–680 area in July ’25 to suggest making additional sales.
  • No action is currently recommended for 2026 Chicago Wheat. We currently aren’t considering any recommendations at this time for the 2026 crop that will be planted next year, and it may be some time before conditions are conducive to consider making any recommendations. Be patient as we monitor the markets for signs of improvement.

To date, Grain Market Insider has issued the following Chicago wheat recommendations:

Action Plan: KC Wheat

Calls

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Cash

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Puts

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

KC Wheat Action Plan Summary

Since mid-July, the wheat market has mostly drifted sideways as the trade tries to balance smaller US and global wheat supplies against cheaper world export prices. During this period, a potential seasonal low was also marked on the front month continuous charts as managed funds maintained a sizable net short position in the wheat markets. While low Black Sea export prices and slow world demand continue to weigh on US prices, the funds’ short position could trigger an extended short covering rally on any increase in US demand as world wheat ending stocks are expected to fall yet again this year.

  • No new action is recommended for 2024 KC wheat. Considering the upside breakout in KC wheat back in May, we recommended buying upside July ’25 860 and 1020 calls (for their extended time frame) in case of a protracted rally. Our current strategy is to target 675 – 700 versus Dec ’24 to recommend further sales, while also targeting a selling price of about 71 cents on the 860 calls to achieve a net neutral cost on the remaining 1020 calls. The remaining 1020 calls would then continue to protect existing sales and give you confidence to make additional sales at higher prices.
  • No new action is currently recommended for 2025 KC Wheat. Earlier this summer we recommended exiting half of the previously recommended July ’25 620 puts once they reached 60 cents (double the original approximate cost) to realize gains in case the market rallies back, while still holding the remaining 620 puts at, or near, a net neutral cost for continued downside coverage on any unsold bushels. To that end, we are currently targeting the upper 400 range versus July ’25 to exit half of those remaining puts. Meanwhile, our current upside strategy is to target the 640 – 670 range, also in the July ’25, to recommend making additional sales.
  • No action is currently recommended for 2026 KC Wheat. We currently aren’t considering any recommendations at this time for the 2026 crop that will be planted next year, and it may be some time before conditions are conducive to consider making any recommendations. Be patient as we monitor the markets for signs of improvement.

To date, Grain Market Insider has issued the following KC recommendations:

Action Plan: Mpls Wheat

Calls

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Cash

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Puts

2024

No New Action

2025

No New Action

2026

No New Action

Mpls Wheat Action Plan Summary

Since posting a seasonal low in late August, Minneapolis wheat has traded at the upper end of the range that was established in early July. During this period, managed funds have covered about 40% of their short positions in Minneapolis wheat. While low export prices out of Russia continue to limit upside opportunities, concerns regarding world wheat supplies remain, which could increase opportunities for US exports and potentially drive prices higher.

  • No new action is recommended for 2024 Minneapolis wheat. With the close below 712 support in June, Grain Market Insider implemented its Plan B stop strategy, recommending additional sales for the 2024 crop due to waning upside momentum and an increased likelihood of a downward trend. Given the heightened volatility and the amount of time that remains to market this crop, we will maintain the current July ’25 KC wheat 860 and 1020 call options. Our target is a selling price of about 71 cents for the 860 calls to achieve a net neutral cost on the remaining 1020 calls. These 1020 calls will continue to protect existing sales and provide confidence to make additional sales at higher prices. While we are at the time of year when market lows often occur, we will consider posting upside targets in late September or early October when market conditions often become more advantageous, and harvest is mostly behind us.
  • No new action is currently recommended for the 2025 Minneapolis wheat crop. Since the growing season can often yield some of the best sales opportunities, we made two separate sales recommendations in July to get some early sales on the books for next year’s crop. While we will not be targeting any specific areas to make additional sales until later in the marketing year, we will continue to monitor the market for opportunities to exit the remaining July ’25 KC 620 puts that were recommended in June. To that end, we are currently targeting the upper 400 range versus July ’25 KC to exit half of those remaining puts.
  • No Action is currently recommended for the 2026 Minneapolis wheat crop. We currently aren’t considering any recommendations at this time for the 2026 crop that will be planted 2 years from now, and it may be some time before conditions are conducive to consider making any recommendations. Be patient as we monitor the markets for signs of improvement.

To date, Grain Market Insider has issued the following Minneapolis wheat recommendations:

Other Charts / Weather

Above: US 7-day precipitation forecast courtesy of NOAA, Weather Prediction Center.