WASDE Preview: December Report to Analyze Southern Hemisphere’s Grain Harvest

While this month’s WASDE report will not include updated figures on U.S. crop size, officials say it will offer a clearer picture of crop conditions in the Southern Hemisphere.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — In a little more than 24 hours, we will get our first look at the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for December. This month’s WASDE report is expected to give markets a clear picture of where things stand after a busy harvest season.

Early trade estimates are already out with a big focus on the U.S. corn crop. Last year at this time, ending stocks were around 1.5 billion bushels. This year, traders estimate ending stocks will come in around 2.13 billion bushels. On the soybean side, the expectation is 308 million bushels. That is slightly below last year. And for wheat, estimates show that the crop’s ending stocks are around 40 million bushels over last year.

While this month’s WASDE report will not include updated figures on U.S. crop size, officials say it will offer a clearer picture of crop conditions in the Southern Hemisphere, with a heavy focus on the wheat harvest in Australia and the first corn and soybean crops from Brazil.

With the government shutdown, the USDA said export sales data that would have been released in October will now be released this week, too.

We will bring you those numbers from the delayed December WASDE Report and U.S. Crop Production reports right here on Market Day Report after they are released on Tuesday at 12 PM ET.

Related Stories
China’s pledge is supportive, but producers need confirmed sales and shipments before counting it as stronger export demand.
Dr. Joana Colussi says differences in input costs, trade conditions, and second-crop risks continue shaping profitability in both countries.
Corn demand received another boost last week as ethanol production climbed to a five-week high.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune says senators are trying to align the E15 effort with broader Farm Bill negotiations as producers continue grappling with weak farm income and elevated costs.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

ASFMRA’s Howard Halderman says several economic and policy issues are continuing to influence the farmland market.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined us to discuss spring planting progress and the outlook for trade and demand as the season continues.
USMCA review nears a critical stage as the U.S. and Mexico advance talks while Canada risks being left behind, raising concerns across North American agriculture trade.
Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas joins us to discuss the Food for Peace program’s Kansas roots, its place in the Farm Bill, and the importance of the USDA’s visit to the state.
USDA approves disaster aid for Pennsylvania orchard and specialty crop growers after April freezes caused major crop damage statewide.
Applications are open through July 27, 2026, on Grants.gov.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
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.