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9-30 End of Day: Corn and Wheat Higher, Beans Finish Lower After USDA Data Dump

All prices as of 2:00 pm Central Time

Corn
DEC ’24 424.75 6.75
MAR ’25 441.25 6.25
DEC ’25 454 1.25
Soybeans
NOV ’24 1057 -8.75
JAN ’25 1075.25 -7.75
NOV ’25 1094.75 -5.25
Chicago Wheat
DEC ’24 584 4
MAR ’25 604.25 4
JUL ’25 621 4.75
K.C. Wheat
DEC ’24 583.75 7
MAR ’25 598.25 6.5
JUL ’25 613 6
Mpls Wheat
DEC ’24 621.75 13.5
MAR ’25 643.25 13
SEP ’25 665 9.5
S&P 500
DEC ’24 5784.75 -6.5
Crude Oil
NOV ’24 68.29 0.11
Gold
DEC ’24 2648.8 -19.3

Grain Market Highlights

  • A lower-than-expected Quarterly Grain Stocks estimate from the USDA provided support for corn futures to trade higher to start the week.
  • Soybeans started the week lower giving back some of their recent gains after the Quarterly Grain Stocks estimate from the USDA came in near expectations.
  • Soybean meal futures were lower on the day with soybeans while soybean oil rallied over 2% today.
  • Spring wheat futures led the wheat complex higher to start the week after the USDA’s Quarterly Grain Stocks report and Small Grains Summary came in near expectations for wheat.
  • To see the updated US 7-day precipitation forecast, 1-week precipitation anomaly forecast for Brazil and N. Argentina, 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

  • The corn market took the lower than expected Quarterly Grain Stocks report to push higher on the session to start the week. The daily close on December corn today at 426 ¾ was the highest daily close since the end of June. The positive price action could lead corn price higher to test the 100-day moving average at 429 area, the next key level of resistance.
  • USDA stated on the Quarterly Grain Stocks report that US corn supplies as of September 1 totaled 1.760 billion bushels which was 84 million bushels below pre-report expectations. The corn stockpile saw very good Q4 disappearance, and a small reduction (1.08 mb) off last year’s production to reach the total.
  • Despite being below expectations, corn stockpiles were up 29% year-over-year or 400 million bushels. On farm storage remains heavy at 44.3% of the stockpile still being stored in producers’ hands. This was slightly better than last year, but well above the 10-year average for storage rate at 36%.
  • Weekly export inspection for corn remains strong, as last week US exporters shipped 1.140 MMT (44.9 mb) of corn on the export market. Year to date, corn export inspections are 24% ahead of last year.
  • US corn harvest will continue to progress. Last week, the expected harvest was 14% complete. Expectation for corn harvest to be around 25% complete on this week’s Crop Progress report. Hedge pressure as harvest moves along will likely be a limiting force on corn market’s potential upside in the near term.

Above: Corn Managed Money Funds net position as of Tuesday, September 24. Net position in Green versus price in Red. Managers net bought 4,115 contracts between September 18 – 24, bringing their total position to a net short 130,699 contracts.

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 closed lower after a day of volatile trade that saw prices trading on either side of unchanged. The Quarterly Grain Stocks report today was neutral for soybeans and although the initial reaction was positive, prices faded into the day. Soybean meal ended the day lower while soybean oil rallied with the December contract gaining 2.25%.
  • Today’s US Quarterly Grain Stocks report saw corn stocks fall by 1.08 million bushels to 1.76 billion bushels. This was towards the lower end of trade estimates and was below the average trade guess of 1.844 billion bushels. There was a slight reduction in 23/24 crop production, and corn futures responded bullishly to the report.
  • Today’s export inspections report was average for soybeans with soybean inspections totaling 24.8 mb for the week ending September 26. Total inspections for 24/25 are now at 71 mb, which is down 3% from the previous year.
  • This morning, private exporters reported sales of 116,000 metric tons of soybeans for delivery to China during the 2024/2025 marketing year.
  • Friday’s CFTC report showed funds buying back 47,437 contracts of soybeans as of the 24th. This reduced their net short position to 74,978 contracts, but they are estimated to have exited an additional 20,000 contracts since the 24th, which shows them nearing a net neutral position.

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.

Above: Soybean Managed Money Funds net position as of Tuesday, September 24. Net position in Green versus price in Red. Money Managers net bought 47,437 contracts between September 18 – 24, bringing their total position to a net short 74,978 contracts.

Wheat

Market Notes: Wheat

  • Wheat closed higher, led by strength in Minneapolis futures. Today’s data was neutral to somewhat supportive for the wheat complex, but along with higher Matif futures, offered a boost to the market. The quarterly stocks number, though above last year, saw little change from pre-report expectations; the trade was looking for 1.984 bb and the actual figure came in at 1.986 bb. In a similar fashion, US 24/25 all wheat production came in at 1.971 bb, which was above last year’s 1.812 bb but below the average trade guess of 1.984 bb.
  • Weekly wheat inspections at 19.7 mb bring the total 24/25 inspections to 303 mb, which is up 35% from last year. Inspections are running ahead of the USDA’s estimate, and 24/25 exports are projected at 825 mb, up 17% from last year.
  • As of writing, an estimated 45,000 dockworkers will strike at midnight tonight. This could cause massive disruptions along the US east coast and gulf coast, delaying the transport and logistics of US grains and other goods. This strike could reportedly affect 36 ports, which handle about half of the shipments of goods in and out of the US.
  • According to the European Commission, total grain production for the EU is now estimated at 260.9 mmt, which is a reduction from the August projection of 264.5 mmt. The 24/25 soft wheat harvest in particular is now estimated at 114.6 mmt, down from 116.1 mmt in August.
  • The USDA is estimating the 24/25 Russian wheat crop at 83 mmt. However, some believe that the following year will see an increase in production. According to Rusagrotrans, the 25/26 crop is expected to rise to 87 mmt. On a related note, Russia currently continues to offer cheap wheat for export, around $217 per mt on a FOB basis, which may limit upside movement for futures prices.

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:

Above: Chicago Wheat Managed Money Funds net position as of Tuesday, September 24. Net position in Green versus price in Red. Money Managers net sold 1,436 contracts between September 18 – 24, bringing their total position to a net short 26,469 contracts.

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:

Above: KC Wheat Managed Money Funds net position as of Tuesday, September 24. Net position in Green versus price in Red. Money Managers net sold 2,460 contracts between September 18 – 24, bringing their total position to a net short 19,946 contracts.

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:

Above: Minneapolis Wheat Managed Money Funds net position as of Tuesday, September 24. Net position in Green versus price in Red. Money Managers net bought 878 contracts between September 18 – 24, bringing their total position to a net short 15,664 contracts.

Other Charts / Weather

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

Above: Brazil and N. Argentina 1 week forecast total precipitation courtesy of the National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center.