Show Notes
US and the World
It is a critical time of the year in grain markets. In many years mid to late July is a time where the market has already decided where this crop is going. 2026 might be a different year. Widespread hot and droughty weather in Western Europe as well as the threat of the same in North America is sending nervousness throughout the grain complex. On top of this we have all the same geopolitical problems in Ukraine and Russia as well as Iran adding to the uncertainty. This is the backdrop as we head into August. On July 10th the USDA released their latest WASDE report.
The July USDA WASDE report estimated corn production to come in at 16 billion bushels up from 15.995 billion bushels in June. This was based on a yield which remained at 183 bushels per acre with planted acreage at 95.3 million acres. This remains the second largest corn crop on record if it comes to fruition. New crop ending stocks were lowered 125 million bushels down to 2.02 billion bushels. Corn usage in the United States was increased 50 million bushels from June putting it at 16.255 billion bushels.
USDA is predicting the largest soybean crop In U.S. history. The estimate is 4.475 billion bushels with the trendline yield estimate of 53 bushels per acre planted on 85.4 million acres. US new crop ending stocks are set to come in at 310 million bushels with old crop stocks coming in at 330 million bushels. USDA left Brazil’s production unchanged at 180 MMT and Argentina at 50 MMT. Total US wheat production is set at 1.536 billion bushels which is down slightly from last month and the smallest wheat crop on record.
On July 24th corn, soybeans and wheat were higher than the last Market Trends report. September 2026 corn futures were at $4.64 a bushel. Dec 2026 corn was at $4.87 bu. The November 2026 soybean futures was at $12.53 bu. The Sept 2026 wheat futures closed at $6.78 a bushel. The Minneapolis Sept 2026 wheat futures closed at $7.14 a bushel with the September 2027 contract closing at $7.46 a bushel.
The nearby oil futures as of July 24th, 2026, closed at $89.31/barrel much higher vs the nearby futures recorded in the last Market Trends report of $68.78/barrel. The average price for US ethanol in the US was $2.19/gallon, higher vs the $2.17/gallon recorded in the last Market Trends Report.
The Canadian dollar noon rate on July 24th, 2026, was .7096 US, marginally higher vs the .7042 US reported here in the last Market Trends report. The Bank of Canada’s lending rate remained at 2.25%.
Ontario
In Ontario generally speaking crops are doing excellent. However, as always there are regional variations with extreme drought in some areas of the deep southwest and south-central Ontario. Eastern Ontario has had much better moisture conditions than they did a year ago. As of the 24th of July, rainfall is needed in many areas of the southwest as corn is roping up and soybeans in some cases are wilting. However, there is still a long way of the growing season to go, and rains would cure much of this. As it is, with normal rainfall Ontario should be looking at good crops this fall.
Wheat harvest continues across the province with good to excellent yields and quite good quality. Very dry conditions in the deepest part of southwestern Ontario made for a good harvest. However, other areas were not as lucky, and it was more challenging to get wheat dried down in the field. However, it continues in eastern and north central Ontario. So far there are very few quality issues.
Basis levels for grains have stayed relatively steady since the last Market Trends report. This is partly due to the relative parity in the value of the Canadian dollar versus what it was three weeks ago at .7042 US. As always, a low Canadian dollar is the stimulus for the Ontario grain cash market. Corn basis levels have been a little stronger and as we go into August that may continue.
Old crop corn basis levels are $1.65 to $2.38 over the September 2026 corn futures