DTN Feed Corn Analysis and Recommendations
01/07/2026
The most recent Recommendation was posted on Dec. 1, 2025. See Recommendations below.
POSITIONS
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 is close to being revised to higher with $4.50 on the March contract being the medium-term pivot point to watch. USDA increased the demand outlook for U.S. corn in the December WASDE, behind a 125 million bushel (mb) increase to corn export demand, which now sits at a record 3.2 billion bushel (bb). Despite the record demand outlook, corn ending stocks are still estimated as the highest in seven years and still north of 2 bb, which is limiting upward price momentum. Still, March corn futures do have a seasonal tendency to rally into the New Year, with the Jan. 12, 2026, WASDE report an important upcoming fundamental event in influencing corn price direction through the first quarter of 2026. The corn market remains a neutral, Type 3 market.
DAILY NOTE
March corn futures rose 2 3/4 cents on Wednesday to $4.46 3/4. May futures were also up 2 3/4 cents to $4.54. The corn market traded higher on Wednesday, positively influenced by a double-digit gain in soybeans as well as Kansas City wheat futures. Fresh news was thin on Wednesday, but it is possible traders are positioning ahead of an expected cut to the 2025 corn yield in next Monday’s USDA reports. For now, the trend in March corn futures is sideways.
RECOMMENDATIONS*
(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.
**
*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.