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
Record crops are increasing grain storage needs, prompting safety experts to remind producers of the risk of grain bin entrapment during harvest.
The impacts of the government shutdown have reached commodity growers with crops to move, ag economists monitoring the harvest without key data reporting, and meat producers in need of new export markets.
In a statement provided to RFD-TV News, a USDA spokesperson reiterated President Trump and the USDA’s commitment to farmers in difficult economic times.
Support policies that keep U.S. biofuels at the table—marine demand could materially lift corn grind, crush margins, and rural jobs.
Industry leaders say $11 billion in new investments could turn the tide as dairy producers face shrinking margins and growing uncertainty.
Export Inspections In Bushels Show Mixed Momentum Patterns
U.S. Farmers Face Shifting Harvest Pace, Basis, and Input Costs
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.

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:

Export strength is concentrated in corn and wheat, while soybeans and sorghum lag, keeping basis and logistics dynamics highly commodity-specific into late fall.
Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) interval selection—not just participation—drives protection levels as rainfall patterns become less predictable across the South.
If the House concurs and the President signs, USDA services and farm-bill programs resume at full speed with authorities extended for another year.
A smaller U.S. turkey flock and resurgent avian flu have tightened supplies, driving prices higher even as other key holiday foods show mixed trends.
ARC/PLC, marketing loans, and crop insurance each matter at different points in the price cycle — and the new Farm Bill strengthens the balance among them.
Here is a regional snapshot of harvest pace, crop conditions, logistics, and livestock economics across U.S. agriculture for the week of Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.