Analysts have their sights set on corn ahead of today’s WASDE report

Analysts will be watching corn yields when the August WASDE report drops today. Early signs show USDA is poised to raise its average yield estimate, which could send markets reacting fast.

Our friend Oliver Sloup with Blue Line Futures explains why he will be watching this area.

“The average yield estimate is going to be the big headline number that we’re looking at for corn that comes in at 184.3, well above where the USDA was last month at 181. So I suspect that we’ll probably trade that WASDE report there for maybe an hour or so. We’ll talk about the headline risk, and then I think a lot of the attention is going to turn towards the crop tour that starts next week as well, which will be on and will be starting on the eastern leg. So it’ll be good to get some boots on the ground, really across the whole corn belt to kind of get a better idea of what’s actually out there. We’ve heard of some potential pollination issues, you know, how widespread is that? Still to be determined. So, again, it’s going to be good to get out there in the field and see for ourselves.”

Related Stories
Despite China’s sharp drop in grain purchases this year, new USDA export data this week shows that even some buying activity from the trade giant still moves the markets.
Corn and wheat exports remain supportive, but weaker soybean demand — especially from China — continues to pressure oilseed markets.
The U.S. has a bountiful corn supply, but markets are waiting for the January WASDE Report, which will include updated yield estimates.
Ethanol output softened, but underlying supply-and-demand trends indicate stable longer-term use despite short-term volatility in blending and exports.
Rising beef supplies and lower cattle prices, weaker hog markets, and softening dairy prices will shape producer margins heading into 2026.
Experts say flooding the zone with more money could have unintented consequences without opening new markets for planted crops and inputs under significant pressure.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt fertilizer shipments, raising costs and creating uncertainty for U.S. farmers ahead of planting season.
APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer Dr. Chelsey Shiveley discusses USDA’s biosecurity resources available to poultry producers ahead of spring migration, increasing the risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) threatens commercial flocks.
This year at CattleCon 2026, RFD Network’s Kirbe Schnoor caught up with Donna Emick from Pneu-Dart to get her perspective on why education, safety, and accountability matter in the field.
Nebraska’s largest wildfire on-record has burned 650,000 acres, with three other major fires also burning across the state, destroying pastureland and threatening cattle.
NMPF’s Alan Bjerga discusses pending trade agreements with Indonesia and Ecuador and how they will benefit U.S. dairy producers and improve overall global competitiveness of U.S. ag products.