Steady As She Goes: Grain analyst Darin Newsom is watching corn futures in the weeks ahead

Corn farmers have felt the pinch of low prices, and with a record corn crop coming in, that situation is unlikely to change anytime soon.

Despite all the noise, grain analyst Darin Newsom says the corn market is steady as she goes.

“You know, there’s nothing outstanding in this market. If we look at both the Dec. March future spread, if we look at the Dec. July forward curve, all telling us you know we’ve got a neutral situation, not that much different from where we were this time last year, basis is relatively weak. All of these things are to be expected as we enter September, and again, with the large harvest coming at us.”

Newsom says he will be closely watching December corn in the weeks ahead. He says it tends to rally during September and October, but he is not expecting any big moves.

Related Stories
Export volumes remain positive year-to-date, but weaker soybean loadings and slowing wheat movement hint at early bottlenecks in global demand or river logistics. Farmers should watch basis levels and freight conditions as export competition heats up.
Industry leaders representing more than 40 nations gathered to discuss the future of ethanol and other corn-based products.
A fast-moving series of trade signals from the White House and key partners is resetting the near-term outlook for U.S. agriculture.
Margin Protection and the new MCO add county-level margin tools — with earlier price discovery, input cost triggers, and high subsidy rates — to complement on-farm risk plans for 2026.
Set targets and use forwards, futures, or options to manage downside while preserving room for rallies.
Expanding bioethanol use strengthens rural economies, supports farm markets, and positions U.S. agriculture at the center of global low-carbon trade.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney says farmers there are already sounding the alarm about what this could mean for the future of ag research.
Global pork production is expected to rise in the first half of 2026, despite trade volatility stemming from shifting import policies and swine disease pressures.
Clear right-to-repair guidance reduces downtime, repair costs, and operational risk.
Tennessee State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Batey joined us with the latest on biosecurity efforts and the state’s new “Know Before You Show” initiative.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller discusses the state’s latest efforts to prevent the New World screwworm from reaching Texas.
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.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.