DTN Feed Corn Analysis and Recommendations
05/18/2026
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 higher for now but may be close to settling into a more sideways price action. USDA forecasted the 2026 corn crop will be the second largest on record at 16 billion bushels (bb), below only 2025. Meanwhile, corn reserves in both the U.S. and South America remain at historically comfortable levels despite record strong demand. Corn prices tend to hit their seasonal highs in the May/June period and with weather thus far appearing nonthreatening to production, the path may turn lower through the summer months barring a weather related rally, which of course cannot be ruled out at this point. The corn market is a neutral, Type 3 market.
DAILY NOTE
July corn futures rose 21 1/4 cents on Monday, closing at $4.77. December futures were up 17 cents to $4.98. The corn market jumped to begin the new week, supported by the White House fact sheet following President Trump’s visit to China which reported China has agreed to buy $17 billion worth of U.S. ag products in addition to the 25 mmt of soybeans agreed upon last October. With China’s corn reserves forecasted by USDA to hit a 13-year low in 2027, traders may have growing optimism that China will look to buy U.S. corn to hit this goal. For now, the trend in corn futures is higher.
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.