8-28 End of Day: Wheat Continues its Rally as Corn and Soybeans Slide
All prices as of 2:00 pm Central Time
Grain Market Highlights
- The corn market failed to extend yesterday’s gains and instead consolidated, despite the report of two flash sales. Rallies continue to be limited by old crop supplies moving into the market, and the prospect of a large upcoming harvest.
- Despite a flurry of buying activity early in the session, sparked by another flash sale to China, the soybean market failed to maintain yesterday’s strength and traded lower into the close. As better-than-expected overnight rains encouraged the day’s selling.
- The wheat complex extended yesterday’s gains as buyers maintained control for the second day in a row. Concerns over potential harvest delays and crop damage due to ongoing rains in the northern Plains supported the market, while higher Paris milling wheat prices also provided additional strength.
- To see the updated US 5-day precipitation forecast, and the 6 – 10 day Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks, courtesy of NOAA, and the Weather Prediction Center, scroll down to the other Charts/Weather section.
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Corn
Corn Action Plan Summary
Farmer selling of old crop bushels ahead of the upcoming harvest has kept pressure on corn futures over the last month. Nearly ideal weather conditions for most during the months of July and August have only added more pressure. The corn market’s ability to close higher following a record yield estimate of 183.1 bpa by the USDA is a good sign showing corn buyers are finding value at these multi-year low levels. Any unexpected downward shift in anticipated supply or increase in demand could trigger managed funds to cover some of their extensive short positions and rally prices, however, an extended rally is unlikely before combines start rolling.
- No new action is recommended for 2024 corn. In June we recommended buying Dec ’24 470 and 510 calls after Dec ’24 closed below 451, for their relative value and because we are at that time of year of high volatility when markets can move swiftly. Moving forward, our current strategy is to target the value of 29 cents to exit the Dec ’24 470 calls. Exiting the 470 calls at 29 cents will allow you to lock in gains in case prices fall back and hold the remaining 510 calls at or near a net neutral cost, which should continue to protect existing sales and give you confidence to make further sales if the market rallies sharply. Additionally, should a contra-seasonal rally occur considering the large net short managed fund position, we continue to target the 470 – 490 area to recommend making additional sales versus Dec ’24.
- 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:

- The corn market failed to follow through on Tuesday’s gains as prices consolidated in the middle of Tuesday’s trading range. Strength in the wheat market and announced export sales failed to trigger buying in the corn market.
- Rallies in the corn market are limited by producer selling pressure as September First Notice Day is Friday this week, and producers are likely pricing September basis contracts or moving old crop bushels. In addition, with the 3-day Labor Day weekend approaching, traders will likely square positions until the market opens next week.
- The USDA announced two flash sales of corn on the export market this morning. Columbia bought 100,000 mt (3.9 mb) and Mexico added 165,735 mt (6.5 mb) for the 24/25 marketing year. These sales are routine type business and failed to move the market. Currently, US corn export sales on the books for the 24/25 marketing year are the worst in the last 5-years.
- The USDA will announce weekly export sales on Thursday morning. With the 23/24 corn marketing year ending on Friday, the USDA expects old crop corn sales from –100,000 mt – 200,000 mt, and for the 24/25 marketing year, 700,000 mt – 1.4 mmt. The focus will be on the new crop sales as export business has been lackluster at this point.
- The overall trend in the corn market remains lower as the market digests the potentially large harvest, lackluster demand, and producers working through old crop bushels before harvest.

Above: The market’s break below 390 puts it at risk of trading lower towards the 372 support level. Should prices close below there, the next level of support could be found near 360. If a bullish catalyst triggers a market turnaround overhead resistance remains between 400 and 414 before they can move toward the 430 area.
Soybeans
Soybeans Action Plan Summary
Since late May, the soybean market has stair-stepped its way lower on sluggish new crop demand, good growing weather, and the prospect of a large upcoming crop, while weather forecasts remain mostly favorable to the crop, and the trade may be factoring in higher yield estimates. The USDA pegging US soybean yield at a record with a million harvested acre jump on the August WASDE broke the market even further. The funds have yet to see a reason to cover some of their extensive short positions ahead of the quickly approaching harvest.
- No new action is recommended for the 2024 crop. At the end of December, we recommended buying Nov ’24 1280 and 1360 calls due to the amount of uncertainty in the 2024 soybean crop and to give you confidence to make sales and protect those sales in an extended rally. Given that the market has retreated since that time, we are targeting the 1040 – 1070 range versus Nov ’24 futures to exit 1/3 of the 1280 calls to help preserve equity. Additionally in June, the close below 1180 triggered our Plan B strategy, which recommended making additional sales due to the potential change in trend. Should a bullish catalyst enter the market to turn prices higher, we are targeting the 1090 – 1120 range from our Plan A strategy to make additional sales recommendations.
- 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:

- Soybeans ended the day lower, breaking a three-day streak of gains, with November soybeans now up 4 cents on the week. The market was pressured by better-than-expected overnight rains in key areas and a decline in soybean meal, although soybean oil ended slightly higher. Warmer weather is expected to accelerate crop maturity across most of the Corn Belt.
- This morning, the USDA confirmed an export sale totaling 264,000 metric tons of soybeans for delivery to China for the 24/25 marketing year. This was the first flash sale of the week and confirmed previous rumors of China needing to buy a significant number of soybeans before the end of the year.
- Yesterday, funds were estimated to have bought back approximately 2,000 soybean contracts. Funds currently hold an estimated net short position of about 183,000 soybean contracts, 87,000 soybean oil, and are long around 2,000 meal contracts. Funds are holding a near record short position in soybeans at the moment.
- In Indonesia, palm oil production is expected to fall by as much as 5% from last year due to adverse weather and ageing palm trees. The US has estimated that global palm oil reserves are headed for their lowest levels in three years, which could be supportive to world veg oil prices and US soybean oil.

Above: Since the front month continuous chart rolled to the November contract on August 15, soybean futures have largely traded sideways. A breakout above 992 could push prices towards the 1005 – 1040 resistance area. To the downside, a break below 950 puts the market at risk of sliding down to the 915 – 900 support area.
Wheat
Market Notes: Wheat
- In the face of a jump higher in the US Dollar and a lower close for corn and soybeans, all three US wheat classes posted gains today. Support came from a second consecutive higher close for Matif wheat futures; the September contract traded above the 10-day moving average for the first time since August 9, before closing just slightly below it.
- Statistics Canada has estimated Canada’s 2024 all wheat production at 34.4 mmt, which was below expectations for a 35.1 mmt crop. However, this is still above last year’s harvest of 32 mmt. The total spring wheat production estimate of 25.4 mmt makes up the majority of their crop, and was below expectations for 26.6 mmt.
- The USDA has determined that BioCeres Crop Solutions’ genetically modified wheat, known as HB4, does not require regulation. This drought-resistant variety, which is also herbicide-resistant, could soon enter the global market, having already received approval from Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. While HB4 could potentially increase wheat supply in the long term, and be bearish to prices, it may offer significant advantages in regions prone to drought.
- As of August 28, Russia has increased its export duty on wheat by 9.7%, raising it from 828.4 to 908.5 Rubles per metric ton. This duty will remain in effect until September 3. Russia introduced variable duties on corn, wheat, and barley in 2021, with the collected funds used to subsidize agricultural producers.
- Global weather conditions are raising concerns for wheat. In the US northern plains, ongoing rains that may continue through tomorrow could delay harvest and affect crop quality. In the Canadian prairies, strong winds from an approaching front this week could damage wheat crops. Additionally, recent widespread frosts in Argentina may have slowed wheat development or even caused damage.
Chicago Wheat Action Plan Summary
Since mid-July, the wheat market has mostly drifted sideways as the trade tries to balance smaller US and global supplies against cheaper world export prices. During this period, a potential seasonal low was also marked on July 29th as managed funds maintained a sizable net short position in Chicago wheat. While slow global import demand and low Russian export prices continue to exert pressure on the market, any increase in US demand due to smaller crops in Europe and the Black Sea region could trigger a short-covering rally by managed funds.
- No new action is recommended for 2024 Chicago wheat. Considering the recent rally in wheat, 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 Sept ’24 to recommend further sales and to target 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 currently recommended for 2025 Chicago Wheat. Our most recent recommendation was to exit half of the previously recommended July ’25 Chicago 620 puts once they reached 67 cents (approximately double their original cost), to lock in gains in case the market rallies back. Moving forward, our strategy is to hold the remaining July ’25 620 puts at, or near, a net neutral cost to maintain downside coverage for any unsold bushels, while also targeting the 590 – 610 range to recommend 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: The support area below the market between 524 and 514 ¼ held with Dec ’24 posting a bullish key reversal on August 27. Should prices continue higher toward the 560 – 570 area, they could encounter resistance near the 50-day moving average before then. A break below 514 ¼ could set the market up for a further decline towards 500 and 488.
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 and oversold conditions could culminate in a 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 recent upside breakout in KC wheat, 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 725 – 750 versus Sept ’24 to recommend further sales and to target 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. We recently 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. Looking ahead, our strategy is to target the 640 – 670 range 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: The market appears to have found support near the 530 area in the December contract. Should this area hold and prices turn higher, overhead resistance could still be found near 565 and again between 573 and 580. A close below 527 could lead to a further slide towards 470.
Mpls Wheat Action Plan Summary
Since printing a near-term low in mid-July, Minneapolis wheat has trended mostly sideways as the market attempts to balance smaller US and world supplies versus lower world export prices and lower world demand. During this period, managed funds have maintained their sizable, short positions in Minneapolis wheat. Though low Russian export prices continue to keep a lid on US prices, smaller crops in Europe and the Black Sea region could increase US demand, potentially triggering a short-covering rally, especially as global wheat ending stocks are projected to decline again this year.
- No new action is recommended for 2024 Minneapolis wheat. With the recent close below the 712 support level, 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.
- 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 recently made two separate sales recommendations 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, should the market continue to be weak, we are currently targeting the upper 400 range 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: December Minneapolis wheat appears to have found support near 560. Should prices continue higher, they could encounter resistance near the 50-day moving average and again in the 617 – 637 area. To the downside, a break below 560 could put the market at risk of a further decline towards support around 540.
Other Charts / Weather

5-day precipitation forecast courtesy of NOAA, Weather Prediction Center.

