By Tony Dreibus | Updated on January 13, 2026

1. Soybean, Grain Futures Lower After Bearish Reports

Soybean and grain futures were lower overnight after USDA's production estimates topped trade expectations.

Domestic soybean output is now forecast at 4.26 billion bushels on yield of 53 bushels an acre, the agency said in a monthly supply and demand report. 

The production estimate is up from the December outlook for 4.25 billion bushels while yield was unchanged month to month. 

Analysts had forecast output of 4.23 billion bushels on yield of 52.7 bushels an acre. 

Corn production is now projected at 17.02 billion bushels on yield of 186.5 bushels an acre, up from the month-earlier outlook for 16.75 bushels an acre on yield of 186 bushels an acre, USDA said. 

Trade expectations were for output of 16.55 billion bushels on yield of 184 bushels an acre. 

Ending stockpiles also came in higher than expected as soybean inventories at the end of the 2026 marketing year on Aug. 31 are now forecast at 350 million bushels, topping the month-earlier outlook for 290 million bushels and a trade estimate for 292 million bushels. 

Corn stock at the end of August are now projected at 2.227 billion bushels, USDA said, up from the December projection for 2.029 billion bushels and analysts' forecast for 1.972 billion bushels. 

Wheat inventories at the end of the grain's marketing year on May 31 are now seen at 926 million bushels, the agency said. That's up from the prior outlook for 901 million bushels and above trade expectations for 896 million bushels. 

Soybean futures for March delivery fell 6¾¢ to $10.42¼ a bushel overnight on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Soy meal lost $2.10 to $296.20 a short ton, and soy oil gained 0.17¢ to 50.44¢ a pound. 

Corn for March delivery lost 2¾¢ to $4.18¾ a bushel. 

Wheat futures fell 2¼¢ to $5.09 a bushel, and Kansas City futures dropped 4¢ to $5.22¾ a bushel. 

RELATED: Corn and Soybeans in the Red | Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026

2. Export Inspections Up Weekly Across the Board

Inspections of corn, beans and wheat for export all rose week to week, according to USDA data. 

Corn inspections in the seven days that ended on Jan. 8 improved to 1.49 million metric tons from 1.32 million tons a week earlier, the agency said in a report. 

That's also higher than the 1.44 million tons that were inspected during the same week a year ago. 

Soybean assessments were reported at 1.53 million metric tons, USDA said. That's up from 984,116 tons the previous week and 1.36 million tons at the same point last year. 

Examinations of wheat for overseas delivery jumped to 317,465 metric tons from 183,476 tons in the previous week. That was narrowly higher than the 310,667 tons assessed in the same week a year earlier, the agency said. 

Since the start of the marketing year on Sept. 1, USDA has inspected 28.4 million metric tons of corn for export, up from 17.7 million tons during the same timeframe last year. 

Soybean inspections, meanwhile, are down to 17.9 million metric tons from 31.3 million tons at the same point a year ago. 

Wheat assessments since the start of the grain's marketing year on June 1 are now at 15.6 million metric tons, up from the 13.1 million tons that were examined in the same period a year earlier, USDA said in its report. 

3. Snow, Ice Expected in Parts of Northern Minnesota

Snow and ice are forecast for parts of northern Minnesota, National Weather Service maps show. 

Mixed precipitation is expected this morning with a glaze of ice and snow accumulations of less than an inch in the forecast, the agency said. 

Roads and overpasses will be slippery and potentially hazardous, NWS said. 

Further south, strong winds are expected today and tonight in central Iowa, which may give way to snowfall starting tomorrow. 

Winds today will gust up to 40 mph with the strongest gusts forecast for north-central Iowa, the agency said. 

Snowfall is possible at times Thursday through Saturday," NWS said. "Wind will accompany snow, at times, meaning visibility reduction from snow will be possible."  

ARTICLE: SUCCESSFUL FARMING, JANUARY 13, 2026