WASDE Confirms Big Supplies And Pressures Grain Markets

USDA’s steady yields and heavy global stocks keep grains range-bound unless demand firms or South American weather becomes a real threat.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — USDA’s November WASDE reinforced what many in the trade expected: supplies remain plentiful across the board, keeping grain markets under steady pressure.

According to P.J. Quaid, Senior Vice President for Agriculture Options at R.J. O’Brien, the report delivered “broadly comfortable” ending stocks for the world’s major crops, with global soybean, corn, and wheat inventories all landing on the heavy side. USDA held U.S. yields at robust levels — 186.0 bushels per acre for corn and 53.0 bushels per acre for soybeans — confirming earlier expectations and anchoring another year of strong overall supply.

Domestically, corn ending stocks rose to 2.154 billion bushels, while soybeans ticked up to 290 million and wheat stayed at a burdensome 901 million bushels. USDA did raise corn exports and total use slightly, but not enough to meaningfully trim the carryout. Soybean stocks-to-use slipped to 6.7%, still within a manageable range given global surpluses and steady crush demand. With large world inventories and minimal surprises in U.S. numbers, futures markets responded cautiously.

The overarching message, Quaid notes, is that grain prices will need a demand spark — or a sharp turn in South American weather — to break out of their current neutral-to-slightly-bearish posture.

Farm-Level Takeaway: USDA’s steady yields and heavy global stocks keep grains range-bound unless demand firms or South American weather becomes a real threat.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Expert
Related Stories
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined RFD-TV’s Market Day Report to share insight into what’s happening on the ground and in the markets.
Even in this strong market, some beef producers are leaving money on the table by not following proven marketing practices.
New U.S. fees on Chinese-owned and built ships took effect overnight, marking the latest escalation in maritime trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Better yield measurement means fairer grids, more precise breeding targets, and more dollars for truly efficient cattle.
Escalating U.S.–China tensions threaten soybean demand as farm finances are stretched further.
Expect a steady corn grind and selective basis strength where exports and local blending stay active.
CoBank Lead Grains Economist Tanner Ehmke joins us to share insight and concerns over current grain storage capacity as export demand lags.
Considering raising your own replacements instead of buying bred heifers? Three key factors to consider before investing capital.

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.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

China’s renewed purchases signal improving sorghum demand at a time when export markets are otherwise uneven. Meanwhile, agriculture groups across the U.S, Canada, and Mexico want to protect close trade relations.
The Environmental Protection Agency confirms that new single-fluorinated pesticides are not PFAS and remain fully compliant with current safety standards.
Strong demand supports sweet potatoes, but grading challenges and rising costs weigh on returns for Southeastern growers.
Pressure on grain storage capacity and stronger export positioning are pushing more grain onto railroads, highways, and river systems as logistics become a key bottleneck this fall.
The Cotton-4 are pushing hard for new value chain investments. Still, many U.S. cotton producers face unsustainable losses, and weakened regional textile capacity threatens the survival of the Carolina “dirt-to-shirt” supply chain.
Late harvest and tight supplies shape crop progress and agribusiness this week. Here is a regional snapshot of harvest pace, crop conditions, logistics, and livestock economics across U.S. agriculture for the week of Dec. 1, 2025.
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.