DTN Feed Corn Analysis and Recommendations

07/17/2026

Latest Recommendation: On July 10, 2026, with corn futures rallying from contract lows set in late June and growing concern for heat and dryness across the Corn Belt through mid-July, consider purchasing feed corn needs through September 2026 with September corn futures trading near $4.31 and the DTN National Corn Index likely near $4.02. Some carry may need to be paid into late summer to secure cash corn. Depending on how the 2026 crop develops, I remain confident of a pre-harvest dip in late August or September as an opportunity to purchase fall 2026 corn needs, but as always, we will remain flexible should market dynamics shift.

DAILY NOTE:

September corn futures traded 3 1/4 cents higher on Friday, closing at $4.44 3/4. December futures were up 3 1/2 cents to $4.67 1/2. The corn market rallied from early lows on Friday, managing to hold above weekly lows in a positive technical sign. Bullish influence from the wheat market, as well as further cuts to France’s corn crop ratings supported corn prices into the weekend. The trend in corn futures is sideways for now.

CURRENT ASSESSMENT:

The trend in corn futures is sideways for now. Corn prices have rallied steadily from late June lows, with growing conditions across the U.S. becoming more concerning amid a hot and dry spell in mid-July. However, prices remain well below May highs. In Europe, a historic heatwave through June and July has sharply reduced production optimism for the upcoming 2026 crop as well. Meanwhile, near-term supplies remain comfortable with record output during the 2025-26 cycle from the U.S., Brazil, and Argentina – the top three exporters of corn in the world. Looking ahead, with Ukraine potentially facing logistical challenges to exporting corn in the upcoming season, the U.S. may be in a strong position to be a key supplier to the E.U. Look for price direction moving forward to be heavily influenced by weather over the remainder of the U.S. growing season. For now, the corn market is a neutral, Type 3 market.

MARKETING RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary:

2025-26: Covered on feed corn needs through September 2026 at an average cash price of roughly $4.00 per bushel for the 2025-26 marketing year.

Detailed Positions:

2026-27: Covered cash feed corn needs for September on July 10, 2026, with September futures trading near $4.31 and the DTN National Corn Index near $4.02.

2025-26: Covered cash feed corn needs for August on July 10, 2026, with September futures trading near $4.31 and the DTN National Corn Index near $4.02.

2025-26: Covered cash feed corn needs for June and July on May 27, 2026 with July 2026 futures trading near $4.57 and the DTN National Corn Index likely near $4.19.

2025-26: Covered cash feed corn needs for April and May on February 2, 2026 with May corn futures trading near $4.33.

2025-26: Covered cash feed corn needs for January, February, and March on December 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.

*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.