By Tony Dreibus | Published on January 12, 2026

1. Wheat Futures Higher Overnight on Kansas Concerns

Wheat futures jumped in overnight trading on concerns about the winter wheat crop in Kansas. 

About 60% of the crop in Kansas, the biggest producer of winter varieties in the U.S., was in good or excellent condition last week, USDA said. 

That’s down from 70% at the beginning of December.

Topsoil moisture in the state was 56% adequate or surplus while 60% of subsoil moisture earned top ratings. That compares with 82% and 74%, respectively, a month earlier, government data show. 

Kansas Wheat CEO Justin Gilpin told Brownfield Ag that acreage may be lower in central areas of the state

due to a delayed fall harvest. Growth has been choppy due to the warm weather in December, he said. 

Soybean futures were also higher overnight on Chinese demand. 

State grain buyer Sinograin bought at least 10 cargoes — or 600,000 metric tons — of soybeans from U.S. suppliers for delivery in April and May, Reuters reported, citing three traders with knowledge of the deal. 

China committed to purchase 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans as part of a trade deal signed at the end of October, the White House said at the time. 

Sinograin placed a separate order of at least 10 cargoes of U.S. beans last Monday, Reuters reported. 

Wheat futures rose 6¢ to $5.23¼ a bushel overnight on the Chicago Board of Trade, and Kansas City futures added 8¢ to $5.38¼ a bushel. 

Soybean futures for March delivery rose 3¾¢ to $10.66 a bushel. Soy meal fell 90¢ to $302.80 a short ton, and soy oil gained 0.57¢ to 50.26¢ a pound. 

Corn for March delivery rose 1¢ to $4.46¾ a bushel. 

2. Investors Curb Bearish Bets on Corn Futures

Money managers reduced their net short positions, or bets on lower prices, on corn but also curbed their bullish bets on soybeans last week, according to data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. 

Investors were net short by 12,830 futures contracts in corn as of Jan. 6, down from 22,748 contracts seven days earlier, the agency said. 

Speculators held a net-long position, or wagers on higher prices, of 65,807 futures contracts in soybeans, down from 90,008 contracts a week earlier. That’s the smallest such position since Oct. 21, CFTC data shows. 

In wheat, hedge funds and other large investment firms were net short by 15,754 hard red winter contracts, down from 18,635 contracts a week earlier and the smallest bearish position since Nov. 5, 2024. 

Investors increased their bearish positions in soft red winter wheat to 109,483 futures contracts, up from 97,196 contracts a week earlier and the largest such position since Oct. 14, CFTC said in its report. 

The weekly Commitment of Traders report from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shows trader positions in futures markets.

The report provides positions held by commercial traders, or those using futures to hedge their physical assets; noncommercial traders, or money managers (also called large speculators); and nonreportables, or small speculators.

A net long position indicates more traders are betting on higher prices, while a net-short position means more are betting futures will decline.

3. Dry Conditions Expected in Northern Nebraska

Dry weather expected in northern Nebraska will increase risks of wildfires in the area, according to the National Weather Service. 

Rising temperatures, low humidity and intense winds will create tinderbox-like conditions in north-central Nebraska, the agency said. 

The dry weather is expected to persist throughout the week. 

“Elevated fire weather conditions continue Tuesday” due to the dry conditions, NWS said. “While relative humidity values will generally be above 25%, gusty winds up to 50 mph will bring a return to elevated fire conditions on Friday.”

Dry conditions are also expected in parts of southeastern Missouri, NWS maps show. 

Humidity this afternoon will drop to around 25– 35% and winds will gust from 15–25 mph, the agency said. 

ARTICLE: SUCCESSFUL FARMING, JANUARY 12, 2026