By Tony Dreibus | Published on January 16, 2026

1. Wheat Futures Higher Overnight on Dry Weather

Wheat futures were higher in overnight trading on dry weather in the U.S. southern Plains, where hard-red winter varieties are overwintering. 

Red flag warnings, an indicator of extremely dry weather, have been issued for parts of the Oklahoma and

Texas Panhandles and other counties in western Oklahoma, according to the National Weather Service. 

High wind warnings are also in effect for all of western Kansas, where gusts are expected to reach up to 70 mph this afternoon. 

Much of the Texas Panhandle remains abnormally dry but isn’t yet seeing drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. 

Soybean and corn futures were higher overnight on signs of strong demand for U.S. supplies. 

China purchased another 204,000 metric tons of soybeans, and unidentified countries bought a combined 545,000 tons of the oilseeds. Japan took 260,000 tons of corn, and an unknown buyer was in for 500,302 tons of the grain, the USDA said in a report Thursday. 

That follows purchases of soybeans, corn, and wheat announced each day this week of varying amounts and to several countries, an indication of demand for U.S. agricultural products. 

Wheat futures gained 4¾¢ to $5.15¼ a bushel overnight on the CBOT, and Kansas City futures added 5¼¢ to $5.22½ a bushel. 

Corn for March delivery rose 1¾¢ to $4.22 a bushel. 

Soybean futures for March delivery gained 2¾¢ to $10.55¾ a bushel. Soy meal added 50¢ to $289.70 a short ton, and soy oil was up 0.09¢ to 53.06¢ a pound. 

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2. Export Sales Higher Across the Board, USDA Says

Export sales of soybeans, corn, and wheat all jumped week to week, according to data from the Ag Department.

Soybean sales in the seven days that ended Jan. 8 surged to 2.06 million metric tons, the agency said. 

That's up from 877,900 in the week that ended on New Year’s Day and a 54% increase from the prior four-week average. 

China was the big buyer, at 1.22 million metric tons. Egypt bought 273,200 tons, Mexico was in for 191,000 tons, Algeria bought 89,100 tons, and the Netherlands took 68,800 tons, the USDA said. 

Exports for the week totaled 1.64 million metric tons, up 47% week-over-week. 

Corn sales came in at 1.14 million metric tons, up from 377,600 tons the previous week, the agency said. Still, that’s down 10% from the prior four-week average. 

Mexico purchased 265,800 metric tons of U.S. corn, Japan took 210,800 tons, Taiwan was in for 133,400 tons, Colombia bought 125,800 tons, and Algeria purchased 96,200 tons. 

Exports last week rose 11% on a weekly basis to 1.56 million metric tons. 

Wheat sales rose 32% week-to-week to 156,300 metric tons, down 21% from the average for this time of year, the government said. 

An unidentified buyer took 72,000 tons of U.S. wheat, the Philippines bought 61,500 tons, Japan was in for 6,000 tons, Thailand purchased 4,500 tons, and Mexico bought 3,400 tons. 

Exports of the grain came in at 303,300 metric tons, up 76% from the week prior, the USDA reported. 

3. Winter Weather Expected From North Dakota Into Iowa

Winter weather advisories have been issued from the Canadian border down through several states, including Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota, according to National Weather Service (NWS) maps. 

Two inches of snow and winds gusting to 60 mph are forecast for parts of northern and central North Dakota today, the agency said. 

Another 2 inches will accumulate in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota, the NWS said. Winds will gust up to 45 mph in the area. 

“Plan on periods of reduced visibility,” the agency said. “Localized whiteout conditions possible. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.” 

Intense winds are forecast today from Montana and western North Dakota south into Texas. 

Red flag warnings have been issued for much of western Oklahoma, as winds will be sustained from 20–30 mph and gust up to 45 mph, the NWS said. 

Relative humidity will fall as low as 10%, creating conditions ripe for wildfires. 

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