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
Researchers in Denmark and St. Jude Hospital submitted a new study for peer review providing new insight into how High Path Avian Flu (HPAI) H5N1 in dairy cattle differs from avian cases.
The State of Louisiana is known as a major wintering location for North American waterfowl. However, a new visitor — a species of Whistling Ducks hailing from South America — may pose a problem to native species.
Researchers out of the United Kingdom are using gene editing technology to help make High-Path Avian Flu less of a threat to poultry.
The USDA’s latest crop forecast for corn and soybean production will impact U.S. producers as well as make an impact on global trade.
Researchers at the Boyce Thompson Institute have constructed the perfect watermelon—returning “lost” genes from the domesticated fruit’s wild relatives that improve both taste and resilience during the growing process.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute found human sewage, not fertilizer, is mainly responsible for dangerous nitrogen levels in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon.

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:

Tight cattle supplies keep prices high for ranchers, but policy shifts, export barriers, and packer losses signal a volatile road ahead for the beef supply chain.
Distillers dried grains (DDG) values follow corn and soybean meal trends, with ethanol grind and feed demand shaping costs into early 2026.
Pork producers should prioritize health and productivity gains, hedge feed and hogs selectively, and watch Brazil’s export pace and China’s sow policy for price signals.
For tight margins, contract grazing leverages existing acres into new income streams and spreads risk. Here are some tips for row crop farmers looking to diversify.
Global nitrogen and phosphate prices remain high despite improved supply fundamentals, with limited Chinese exports and stronger fall applications tightening availability.
Record output, larger stocks, and softer exports point to a well-supplied domestic ethanol market as harvest progresses.
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.