This week’s bullish WASDE report surprised farmers and shook markets.
They have now stabilized, but corn growers are still worried about the impact of such a large crop at harvest.
The acting Chief of USDA’s NASS crops branch says that these are the highest numbers in a decade.
According to Anthony Prillaman, “Now looking at the planted and harvested corn numbers graphically across the past ten years, you can see that this year’s planted total is the highest across this time series, and in fact, this is the second-highest planted area on record since 1936, only behind the amount planted in 2012. You can see how this year’s forecasted yield of 188.8 bushels compares to the previous years in trend. Now, as you can see, this is the third consecutive year of higher yields, and this year’s forecasted yield is above trend.”
Leading the way in production are the I states: Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. High yields are also expected in Minnesota, Missouri, and South Carolina.
Clearer 45Z rules favor U.S. oilseeds, but final RFS volumes remain critical to locking in demand.
February 03, 2026 12:39 PM
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Economists are also closely watching how policy decisions in Washington could influence markets moving forward. Analysts say deferred futures for corn, soybeans, and wheat suggest markets are operating near break-even levels, not at prices that would encourage expanded production.
February 02, 2026 12:13 PM
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Traders say that shift could eventually prompt the USDA to scale back soybean export projections, noting the outlook differs greatly for other grain commodities.
January 30, 2026 01:13 PM
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Strong blending demand continues to support ethanol use even as production and exports fluctuate.
January 30, 2026 07:00 AM
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Eliza Petry joins the RFD News team with a strong connection to agriculture and a commitment to covering the people and issues that matter most to rural America.
January 29, 2026 01:31 PM
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Strong White House backing supports ethanol demand, but timing now hinges on Congress resolving procedural — at the same time as they push toward a spending bill to avert another federal government shutdown.
January 28, 2026 11:35 AM
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