Corn and Soybean Crush Strengthen Domestic Grain Demand

USDA reports higher corn use for ethanol and increased soybean processing compared with last year.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — Domestic processors used more corn and soybeans in June than a year earlier, strengthening demand beyond export markets. USDA’s Grains Crushings and Co-Products Report for Aug. 3 shows ethanol plants consumed 467 million bushels of corn, up 4 percent from June 2025.

Total corn use reached 520 million bushels, with 92.2 percent directed toward alcohol production. Distillers dried grains production totaled 1.82 million tons, while wet distillers grains increased 7 percent from last year.

Soybean processors crushed 218 million bushels, up from 197 million a year earlier and 213 million in May. Crude soybean oil production increased 8 percent, while refined oil output rose 12 percent.

The stronger crush supported nearly 4.85 million tons of soybean meal production for livestock feed and other uses. Corn processing also supplied feed ingredients, corn oil, industrial products, and captured carbon dioxide.

These reports show renewable fuels, livestock feeding, food manufacturing, and industrial demand absorbing substantial grain supplies.

Producers will watch ethanol margins, soybean oil use, meal demand, and processing capacity as harvest approaches.

Farm-Level Takeaway: Stronger domestic processing provides important demand support when export sales remain uneven.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

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