Cash Field Crop Industry Snapshot

USDA Crop Forecast:

Source: USDA WASDE

• Prices for grains and oilseeds have declined significantly since the 2022/23 crop year, and margins are negative for many cash field producers as market prices are not covering total production costs.

• Corn and soybean prices have remained weak amid trade and tariff standoffs and a record-large South American soybean harvest. China, normally the largest buyer of American soybeans, reached an agreement with the Trump administration to purchase oilseeds from the U.S. late in the year, and has made significant progress toward the stated goals. Nonetheless, soybean exports are still forecast lower for 2026. A weaker U.S. dollar helps export prospects but is not significant enough to offset other bearish market influences

• It was a good growing year for most of the major grain producing areas, leading to a large U.S. crop. However, corn acreage harvested was down in several Northeast states.

• Most row-crop producers will have trouble cash flowing this year. Their level of financial stress will depend in large part on savings from past harvest years and debt load.

• March 2026 corn futures are trading at $4.46/bu, and March soybean futures at $10.61/bu, as of January 10, 2026.¹   

¹ CBOT Futures