DTN Feed Corn Analysis and Recommendations
03/02/2026
The most recent Recommendation was posted on Feb. 2, 2026. See Recommendations below.
POSITIONS
2025-26: Covered cash feed corn needs for April and May on Feb. 2, 2026 with May corn futures trading near $4.33.
2025-26: Covered cash feed corn needs for January, February, and March on Dec. 1, 2025, with March corn futures trading near $4.47.
2025-26: Covered cash feed corn needs for November and December on October 20, 2025 with December corn futures near $4.22 and the DTN National Cash Index near $3.82.
2025-26: Covered cash feed corn needs for October on September 29, 2025. DTN’s National Corn Index was near $3.78.
2025-26: Covered cash feed corn needs for September on August 27, 2025. DTN’s National Corn Index was near $3.66.
2024-25: Covered cash feed corn needs for August on July 21, 2025. DTN’s National Corn Index was near $3.91.
2024-25: Covered cash feed corn needs for May, June, and July on March 6, 2025. DTN’s National Corn Index was near $4.24. May corn futures were trading near $4.62 and July futures were near $4.68.
CURRENT ASSESSMENT
The corn market is still considered to be in an overall sideways trend, but bullish sentiment took a large hit following the release of January reports by USDA. USDA surprised the market by increasing the 2025 corn yield and subsequent crop to a staggering 17.02 billion bushels (bb). Demand remains on a record pace as well, but increases there have been thus far unable to offset the supply glut and ending stocks are now forecasted at a seven-year high 2.13 bb. Corn futures have found support through the past month, but prices are still climbing out of the hole left by the bearish January WASDE report. The corn market remains a neutral, Type 3 market.
DAILY NOTE
May corn futures closed down 2 3/4 cents on Monday to $4.45 3/4. July futures were down 1 3/4 cents to $4.54 1/4. The corn market fell from early highs primarily due to bearish influence from sharply lower wheat futures and lower soybean futures as well as a result of the higher U.S. Dollar Index. Corn was lower despite a gap higher in crude oil futures and firm energy markets in general following the onset of war in the Middle East over the weekend. For now, the trend in May corn futures is sideways.
RECOMMENDATIONS*
(2/2/2026)
2025-26:
With corn futures falling from late January highs but for now holding above recent trendline support above the post-January WASDE low, consider purchasing feed corn needs for April and May. May 2026 corn futures are trading near $4.33 at the time of this recommendation, while the DTN National Corn Index closed the most recent week at $3.95, though some carry will likely need to be paid to secure cash corn during the upcoming planting season.
(12/1/2025)
2025-26: Thus far the 2025-26 marketing year is trending very similarly to the same point in 2024. With lower production ideas, stellar corn demand (especially for exports), as well as seasonal strength all pointing to an emerging post-harvest rally in corn prices. I recommend taking advantage of a futures price below $4.50 and buying feed corn needs through the end of March. March corn futures were trading near $4.47 at the time of this recommendation and the DTN National Corn Index was near $4.02 for spot corn. Some carry may need to be paid to secure corn for Jan, Feb, and March shipment.
(10/20/2025)
2025-26:
With U.S. corn harvest likely near three-fourths complete, and the seasonal tendency for cash prices (through both futures and basis) to rally out of harvest, consider purchasing cash corn needs for November and December with December corn futures currently near $4.22 and the DTN National Cash Index near $3.82.
(9/29/25)
2025-26:
With corn futures relaxing slightly from two and a half month highs for the December futures contract, and with September drawing to a close take this opportunity to purchase October feed corn needs. December 2025 futures were near $4.20 and the DTN National Corn Index near $3.78 at the time of this recommendation. Despite the moderate late summer/early fall rally in corn prices, I recommend continuing to only purchase as needed given the currently estimated size of the corn crop and until further information is known about the crop and/or corn futures make a more convincing attempt to break into a longer term upward trend pattern which we will continue to monitor.
(8/27/25)
2025-26:
With corn futures easing this week ahead of what is expected to be a record U.S. corn crop in 2025, I recommend buying September feed corn needs with the DTN National Corn Index near $3.66. We will continue to monitor the market into harvest for the next buying opportunity for the remainder of 2025 needs, but for now due to the potential for a heavily oversupplied market at harvest, the recommendation is to buy feed corn only as needed.
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*DTN recommendations are general in nature and are not intended to be specific for any particular person or farming business. The buying and selling of futures or options involves substantial risk and is not suitable for everyone. DTN accepts no responsibility for actual trades made.