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12-10 End of Day: Markets Close Higher Following USDA Report

All prices as of 2:00 pm Central Time

Corn
MAR ’25 449 7.25
JUL ’25 457.25 6.75
DEC ’25 441.75 2.5
Soybeans
JAN ’25 994.75 4.75
MAR ’25 1000.25 4.75
NOV ’25 1009.75 5
Chicago Wheat
MAR ’25 561.75 3
MAY ’25 570.5 3.25
JUL ’25 577 3.75
K.C. Wheat
MAR ’25 565.75 7
MAY ’25 573 6.75
JUL ’25 580.75 6.75
Mpls Wheat
MAR ’25 606.5 3.25
JUL ’25 621.5 3.25
SEP ’25 630 3.25
S&P 500
MAR ’25 6123.5 -9.75
Crude Oil
FEB ’25 68.23 0.14
Gold
FEB ’25 2718.2 32.4

Grain Market Highlights

  • Bullish US corn ending stocks, which came in well below expectations in today’s USDA report, drove the corn market higher for the fourth consecutive day.
  • Soybeans gained support from a higher corn market and settled higher on the day, with the USDA making no significant changes to the soybean balance sheet.
  • US wheat ending stocks were unexpectedly reduced by 20 mb in today’s WASDE report, boosting the wheat market to close higher, led by gains in the KC contracts.
  • To see the updated South American precipitation forecasts, scroll down to the other Charts/Weather section.

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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

2024 Crop:

  • If you missed our previous sales recommendations, consider targeting the 460 area in March ‘25 for any catch-up sales. Additionally, selling additional bushels into market strength may be beneficial if you have capital needs.
  • We are now in the window when seasonal opportunities tend to improve and we anticipate posting target ranges for new sales soon, but they could be as late as early spring.

2025 Crop:

  • If you missed previous sales recommendations for next year’s crop, consider targeting 455 – 475 versus Dec’25 to take advantage of any post-harvest strength.
  • As we enter the time of year when seasonal opportunities tend to improve, we will begin posting target ranges for additional sales, though this may not happen until late winter or early spring.
  • Be on the lookout for a recommendation to buy call options in the 470–490 range versus Dec’25 to protect current sales against a potential extended rally.

2026 Crop:

  • Patience is advised. No sales recommendations are planned currently, as we continue to monitor the market for more favorable conditions.

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

Market Notes: Corn

  • The corn market got a shot in the arm and closed higher for the fourth consecutive day, supported by much lower-than-expected US ending stocks in today’s USDA report.
  • The USDA shocked the market by cutting US 24/25 corn carryout by 200 mb to 1.738 bb in today’s WASDE report. Exports were raised by 150 mb, while corn used for ethanol increased by 50 mb.
  • The lower carryout number brings 24/25 corn ending stocks below last year’s level, which can be supportive this early in the marketing year.
  • While Brazil and Argentina corn production estimates remained unchanged, global corn stocks fell well below expectations to 296.4 mmt due to higher use and lower US supplies.

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

2024 Crop:

  • We are in the time frame when seasonal opportunities typically improve due to the South American growing season.
  • Any negative change in Brazil’s or Argentina’s growing conditions could send the soybean market higher, target the 1100 – 1110 area versus Jan ‘24 to make additional sales against your 2024 crop.
  • For those with capital needs, consider making these sales into price strength.

2025 Crop:

  • We are in the window when targets for additional sales on next year’s crop will start being posted. Though patience is still recommended since they could be set as late as early spring.
  • Be on the lookout for a recommendation to buy call options. A rally to the upper 1100 range versus Nov ’25 could increase the likelihood of an extended rally, and we would recommend buying calls to prepare for that possibility.

2026 Crop:

  • Patience is advised. No sales recommendations are currently planned as we monitor the market for more favorable conditions and timing.

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

Market Notes: Soybeans

  • Soybeans closed higher after a largely uneventful WASDE report, likely supported by bullish corn data. Soybean meal also rose, while soybean oil ended lower.
  • The USDA report left soybean production, yield, and ending stocks unchanged at 470 mb. Brazilian production remained at 169.0 mb, while Argentina’s was revised up to 52.0 mb from 51.0 mb.
  • CONAB reported Brazilian soybean planting at 94% complete, up 4% from last week, with favorable weather supporting the crop.
  • China imported 7.15 mmt of soybeans in November, down 10% from last year and below expectations of 8 mmt. Rumors surfaced of China canceling 4–6 December cargoes from the PNW.

Wheat

Market Notes: Wheat

  • Wheat posted gains across all categories, supported by a favorable WASDE report, despite strength in the US Dollar Index.
  • The USDA lowered US 24/25 wheat carryout to 795 mb from 815 mb, exceeding expectations, while world ending stocks for 23/24 and 24/25 were slightly raised. US wheat exports were increased by 25 mb to 850 mb.
  • Global wheat production was reduced from 794.73 mmt to 792.95 mmt. Brazil’s production fell to 8.1 mmt, while Argentina and Australia remained steady at 17.5 mmt and 32.0 mmt, respectively. Russian exports dropped 1 mmt to 47.0 mmt, while Ukraine’s rose 0.5 mmt to 16.5 mmt.
  • Egypt’s grain purchasing system has shifted to military control, replacing GASC. As a key wheat supplier, Russia is monitoring potential impacts on its exports.

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

2024 Crop:

  • Target the 740 – 760 range versus March ‘25 to make additional sales. While this range may seem far away, it aligns with the market’s potential based on our research as we approach winter dormancy.
  • For those holding open July ’25 860 and 1020 call options that were recommended in May, target a selling price of about 73 cents for the 860 calls to offset the cost of the remaining 1020 calls. Holding the 1020 calls will provide protection for existing sales and give you confidence to make additional sales at higher prices.

2025 Crop:

  • Continue holding open July ’25 620 puts to maintain coverage for unsold bushels. Back in July Grain Market Insider recommended selling the first half to offset the cost of the now remaining puts.
  • Target the 650 – 680 range versus July ’25 to make additional sales.
  • Look to protect current sales by buying upside calls in the 745 – 775 range if signs of an extended rally appear. This will give you confidence to sell more bushels at higher prices.

2026 Crop:

  • Patience is advised, as we monitor the market for improved conditions and timing. It may be some time before target ranges are set for the 2026 crop.

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

2024 Crop:

  • Target the 635 – 660 versus March ‘25 area to sell more of your 2024 HRW wheat crop.
  • For those holding the previously recommended July ’25 860 and 1020 calls,target a selling price of about 71 cents on the 860 calls. This would achieve a net-neutral cost on the remaining 1020 calls, and still give you confidence to sell more bushels at higher prices.

2025 Crop:

  • Target the 640 – 665 range versus July ’25 to make additional 2025 HRW wheat sales.
  • If the market rallies considerably, look to protect sales by buying upside calls in the 745 – 770 range versus July ’25. This will also give you confidence to sell more bushels at higher prices.
  • Continue to hold the remaining half of the previously recommended July ’25 620 puts to provide downside protection for unsold bushels. Additionally, target the upper 400 range versus July ’25 to exit half of these remaining puts if the market makes new lows.

2026 Crop:

  • Patience is recommended. It may be some time before targets are set for the 2026 crop, as we continue to monitor the market for better conditions and timing.  

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

2024 Crop:

  • Target a rally to the 610 – 635 area versus March ‘25 to sell more of your 2024 crop. We are at that time of year when seasonal price trends become more favorable.
  • For those holding the previously recommended July ’25 KC wheat 860 and 1020 calls, target a selling price of approximately 71 cents on the 860 calls. This would achieve a net-neutral cost on the remaining 1020 calls and provide confidence to sell more bushels at higher prices.

2025 Crop:

  • Target a rally back to the 710 – 735 range versus Sept ’25 to make additional early sales on your 2025 crop. While this target area may seem far off, it aligns with the market’s potential based on our research. conditions improve seasonally. This could be as early as late November or December.
  • Look to protect existing sales by buying upside calls in the 745 – 770 range versus July ’25 KC wheat if the market turns higher and rallies considerably. This will also give you confidence to sell more bushels at higher prices.
  • Continue holding the remaining half of the previously recommended July ’25 KC wheat 620 puts to provide downside protection for unsold bushels. Additionally, target the upper 400 range versus July ’25 KC wheat to exit half of these remaining puts if the market makes new lows.

2026 Crop:

  • Patience is recommended. It may be some time before targets are set for the 2026 crop, as we continue to monitor the market for better conditions and timing.

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

Other Charts / Weather

Above: Argentina one-week forecast total precipitation courtesy of the National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center.