DTN Feed Corn Analysis and Recommendations
05/07/2026
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 trend in corn futures is revised to higher for now as the market has displayed seasonal strength and tends to hit highs over the May/June period. Traders are waiting for more information regarding 2026 crops with planting still in its early stages across the U.S., with recent rainfall reducing drought across the U.S. Corn Belt. Meanwhile, corn prices are extremely inexpensive relative to fertilizer costs which may influence less corn area than initially indicated in the March 31 Prospective Plantings report (95.3 million acres). Demand for U.S. corn is record strong, yet both Dec. 1 and March 1 inventories were record large as well. In South America, conditions have turned dry for Brazilian safrinha corn pollination, though this may be offset by larger than expected (and record) production forecasts out of Argentina. The corn market is a neutral, Type 3 market.
DAILY NOTE
July corn futures fell 1 cent on Thursday, closing at $4.67 1/2. December futures were down a 1/2 cent to $4.89 1/2. The corn market recovered from early lows with technical support holding on July futures at the 50-day moving average ($4.66 1/4). It would appear that headline driven selling ran out of steam at least temporarily on Thursday, as U.S. officials are reportedly awaiting Iran’s response to a framework for restarting negotiations. Near freezing temperatures and reports of frost across the Midwest early Thursday morning also provided support to corn futures. For now, the trend in 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.