3 Big Things Today, Jan. 15, 2026
- Media Logic Radio
- Jan 15
- 3 min read
By Tony Dreibus | Updated on January 15, 2026
1. Grain, Soybean Futures Higher in Overnight Trading
Grain and soybean futures were higher in overnight trading following more announced sales of U.S. supplies to overseas buyers.
South Korea purchased 136,000 metric tons of U.S. corn for delivery in the 2025/2026 marketing year that ends on Aug. 31, USDA said in a report.
China bought 334,000 metric tons of soybeans for delivery in the current marketing year, the agency said.
That follows sales of 168,000 metric tons of soybeans to China and 152,404 tons of the oilseeds to Mexico announced on Tuesday, and 204,000 tons of corn to South Korea and another 310,000 tons of the grain to an unnamed country announced on Monday.
Ethanol production jumped to a record high in the week that ended on Jan. 9, also giving corn prices a boost.
Wheat futures were higher overnight amid dry weather in parts of Kansas where hard red winter wheat is overwintering.
Red-flag warnings have been issued in northwestern Kansas and strong wind warnings are in effect in much of western Kansas, National Weather Service maps show.
Corn for March delivery rose 2¾¢ to $4.24¾ a bushel overnight on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Wheat futures gained 3½¢ to $5.16 a bushel, and Kansas City futures added 4¼¢ to $5.26½ a bushel.
Soybean futures for March delivery rose 2½¢ to $10.45 a bushel. Soy meal added $2.20 to $294.10 a short ton, and soy oil fell 0.27¢ to 50.71¢ a pound.
2. Ethanol Production Jumps to a Record High, EIA Says
Ethanol output surged to a record high last week and inventories jumped, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.
Production rose to an average of 1.196 million barrels a day in the week that ended on Jan. 9, the agency said.
That's up from 1.098 million barrels a week earlier and the highest since recordkeeping started in 2010.
In the Midwest, by far the largest producing region, output averaged 1.139 million barrels per day versus 1.041 million barrels the previous week, EIA said.
Gulf Coast production was up by 1,000 barrels to an average of 27,000 a day.
That was the entirety of the weekly gains as East Coast output was unchanged at 11,000 barrels a day and West Coast production was steady at 9,000 barrels for the third straight week, the agency said.
The Rocky Mountain region was the lone decliner, falling by a thousand barrels to an average of 10,000 per
day.
Ethanol inventories through Jan. 9 jumped to 24.473 million barrels from 23.652 million a week earlier. That's the highest level for stocks since July 25, EIA said in its report.
3. Red Flag Warnings Issued for Counties in Colorado, Kansas
Red flag warnings, an indicator of extremely dry weather, have been issued in northeastern Colorado and northwestern Kansas for most of today and much of tomorrow amid fierce winds and low humidity, according to the National Weather Service.
Winds will be sustained today from 20–30 mph and gust up to 40 mph, the agency said. Speeds will increase to 30 to 40 mph and gusts will top out at 60 mph tomorrow.
Relative humidity will fall as low as 13%.
Residents in the area are advised to comply with burn bans and avoid driving on dry grass or brush to avoid sparking wildfires, NWS said.
In central Nebraska, winds will range from 30–40 mph and gust up to 60 mph, the agency said.
"Strong winds could damage trees," the agency said. "Localized power outages are possible."
