WASDE Highlights Steady U.S. Outlook for Major Crops in December

Stable U.S. fundamentals continue for major crops, but global adjustments in corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton may influence early-2026 pricing.

WASDE REPORT GRAPHIC

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for December (PDF Version) delivered mostly steady U.S. projections for wheat, corn, soybeans, and cotton while global shifts continue to influence market direction. Wheat saw no domestic supply-or-use changes, though world production climbed on large crops in Canada, Argentina, the European Union, Australia, and Russia — pushing global ending stocks higher.

Corn saw the largest domestic adjustment: exports increased by 125 million bushels after a strong fall in shipping pace, tightening ending stocks to 2.0 billion bushels. Globally, Ukraine’s crop fell sharply due to wet harvest conditions, even as the EU and Russia posted modest increases.

Soybean supply, use, and farm-price projections were unchanged for the U.S., but world output rose slightly on higher production in Russia and India. Global soybean crush expanded, while exports slipped and ending stocks edged higher on larger inventories in Brazil and Russia.

Cotton estimates reflected higher U.S. production, lower mill use, and larger ending stocks, with world production and consumption both easing modestly.

Related Stories
USDA data indicates that 13.7 percent of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2024, the highest rate since 2014, even as most households remained food secure.
Weather, Tight Supplies, and Planning Shape Farm Decisions
Bigger cows must wean proportionally heavier calves to justify higher ownership costs.
Strong ethanol production and export trends continue to support corn demand despite seasonal fuel consumption softness.

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:

Treat financial stress as a health risk—know the warning signs, normalize conversations, and connect farm families to local and national support early.
Congress has just over a month of working days left for the year. Plan for uneven USDA service until funding is restored, and closely monitor Farm Bill talks, as avoiding Permanent Law before January 1 is the single biggest risk to markets and milk prices.
Mexico’s tougher, two-step treatment and added checkpoints are catching cases before they can spread—good news for producers near the border.
Harvest Builds As Logistics And Input Costs Shape Fall Decisions
Focus on home radon testing—not changing your diet—because background sources vastly outweigh any exposure from naturally radioactive foods.
Prepare for acute UAN risk and a brief urea shock; maintain steady ammonia and phosphate plans, and monitor potash basis on the coasts.