USDA Releases Final Grain Stocks Estimates

The Final Grain Stocks Report may be the last key figures we see if a government shutdown halts future updates.

WASHINGTON (RFD-TV) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its Final Grain Stocks Report on Tuesday, providing key figures that may be the last we see if a government shutdown halts future updates.

CommodityEstimatesTrade Guess
Corn1.53 BB1.34 BB
Soy316 MB323 MB
Wheat2.12 BB2.04 BB

While soybean growers work to bring in this year’s crop, selling it remains a challenging task. The American Soybean Association warns that the U.S. is losing competitiveness after China recently turned to Argentina for supplies.

“If we can be competitive with beans, we can get them moved like they did with Argentina,” says ASA Vice President Scott Metzger. “Those could’ve easily been our beans going over there. It shows that if that opportunity is there, China is willing to buy.”

The grain trade says the numbers underscore broader concerns as China steps back from U.S. purchases. The National Corn Growers Association calls the situation a “four-alarm fire” and is urging Congress to act quickly to remove market barriers.

Related Stories
University of Illinois Ag Economist Gary Schnitker says early projections indicate soybeans will be more profitable than corn in 2026.
Approximately 42,000 birds were affected in the outbreak, officials said.
Beef demand could be influencing other economic sectors, as consumers adjust spending habits to prioritize higher-priced beef products.
Dr. Beetham outlined the background of the EU’s decision to modernize seed regulations and where the process stands today, and its impact on global agriculture and food security.
“It, all of a sudden, says that tracking and fighting hunger is not a priority, apparently, at the federal level.”
Jeremy Kelly explains how Darling Ingredients’ mission aligns with FFA’s values and why investing in future ag leaders is so important.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Larger operations maintain cost advantages, while softer equipment sales suggest producers are pacing machinery upgrades amid tighter margins.
Transportation access, legal disputes, and fertilizer freight costs will directly influence input pricing and grain movement in 2026.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln ag educator Matt Kreifels discusses his recent FFA Alumni award and the future of ag education.
Mexico plans to release 202,000 acre-feet of water into the Rio Grande, offering temporary relief to South Texas farmers as Congress advances the PERMIT Act.
Analysts say that while low-income households are facing financial pressures, other middle- and higher-income consumers are helping fill the gap for retail beef demand.
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.