The Home Stretch: Do farmers sell now or wait for a big rally?

It is hard to believe that September is less than a month away, quickly bringing the crop year to a close. With harvest not that far out, ag economists say it is time to take action on old crop supplies.

“We have to start thinking about selling the carry at harvest. We’ve got big carries in the corn market, big carries in the wheat market, and even big carries showing up in the soybean market. You know, the carry from November to July, the November contract, good grief, where is it? About $9.9 somewhere there today. 9.9 a bushel from November. It’s $0.60-plus higher out to July. That’ll cover your interest costs easily and throw something else in there,” said Ed Usset, with the University of Minnesota.

Usset looks back to earlier this year, saying February was likely the last rally for America’s staple crops, saying the typical spring or summer rally just never arrived.

Related Stories
Crop producers face tightening credit and lower incomes, while strong cattle markets continue to stabilize finances in livestock-heavy regions.
Row crop losses in 2025 are outpacing last year. With no disaster aid yet approved, many operations face a tough financial bridge to 2026 even as Farm Bill improvements remain a year away.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer explains the USDA’s Stage Two Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, including application details, deadlines, and guidance for rural producers.
Bangladesh recently pledged to purchase 700,000 tons of U.S. wheat and has also become a new buyer of American soybeans.
Ethanol exports are expanding on strong demand from Canada and Europe, while DDGS shipments remain broad-based and supportive for feed markets.
Elizabeth Strom of the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers joined RFD-TV to provide the latest perspective on post-harvest business planning and cropland markets in the Midwest.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

A leading Oklahoma veterinarian explains common symptoms of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) and warns owners to remain vigilant because it can spread quickly among horses.
National FFA President Trey Myers joins Monday’s FFA Today to share his hopes and goals for the 2025-2026 year as he steps into this opportunity to lead and serve the next generation of agriculture.
Watch the special this Saturday at 6:00 PM Eastern on RFD-TV
Despite the need for swift action, many ag lawmakers and industry groups argue that farm aid alone will likely not be sufficient to help farmers without improved trade relations with China.
Tyson’s capacity cuts weaken local basis, tighten kill space, and heighten dependence on imports, signaling more volatility for producers.
2,400 turkeys were donated to Tracy Lawrence’s Turkey Fry after a refrigerated truck broke down, spoiling 650 turkeys
Agriculture Shows
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.
The goal of “Where the Food Comes From” is as simple as its name implies — host Chip Carter takes you along on the journey of where our food comes from — and we don’t just mean to the supermarket (though that’s part of the big picture!). But beyond where it comes from, how it gets there, and all the links in the chain that make that happen.
Join markets specialist Scott Shellady, better known as the Cow Guy, as he covers the market-close, breaking down headlines that drive the commodities and equities markets with commentary from respected industry heavyweights.