By Tony Dreibus | Published on January 20, 2026

1. Grain, Soybean Futures Slightly Lower Overnight

Grain and soybean futures were modestly lower in overnight trading as last week's supply and demand reports from USDA continue to weigh on the markets. 

Corn production was projected at 17.02 billion bushels on yield of 186.5 bushels an acre, the Ag Department said in a report last week. 

That's up from the previous outlook for 16.75 billion bushels on yield of 186 bushels an acre. Analysts were expecting 16.55 billion bushels on yield of 184 bushels an acre. 

Soybean output was forecast at 4.26 billion bushels on yield of 53 bushels an acre. 

That's up from the December estimate of 4.25 billion bushels, also on yield of 53 bushels an acre, government data shows. Trade expectations were for 4.23 billion bushels on yield of 52.7 bushels an acre. 

Corn inventories at the end of the marketing year on Aug. 31 are now seen at 2.227 billion bushels versus the month-earlier outlook for 2.029 billion bushels and trade expectations for 1.972 billion bushels. 

Soybean stocks are now seen at 350 million bushels, USDA said, up from the previous forecast for 290 million bushels and analyst forecasts for 292 million bushels. 

The large estimates are hanging over the markets to start the week, leading to some technical selling in the overnight session. 

Corn futures for March delivery fell 1¾¢ to $4.23 a bushel overnight on the Chicago Board of Trade. 

Wheat futures were down 2½¢ to $5.15½ a bushel, while Kansas City futures lost 1¢ to $5.26¼ a bushel. 

Soybeans declined 1½¢ to $10.56½ a bushel, soy meal added 30¢ to $290.30 a short ton and soy oil futures were up 0.06¢ to 52.67¢ a pound. 

2. U.S. Chicken Industry Faces Challenges, CoBank Says

Despite a decades-long winning streak for the U.S. chicken industry, headwinds may challenge future growth, CoBank said in a note to clients. 

Slowing of new construction within the industry, limitations on existing production processes, and an undersupply of chicks may all curb growth, the bank said. 

Per-capita consumption of chicken in the U.S. has jumped 30 pounds in the past 30 years to about 103 pounds, the bank said, citing USDA data. That'll increase by another 4 pounds by 2030. That led producers to focus on how much meat is on each bird. 

"Higher capital costs, tight labor availability, and increased local regulation have stalled greenfield sit

expansion," CoBank said. "Chick availability has trended downward as genetic priorities have shifted from hatchability to meat yield, and adding more pounds per bird has its limits."

Still, producers are showing interest in secondary processing and value-added products, said Brian Earnest, lead animal protein economist at the bank. 

"That's helping chicken producers meet increased consumer demand for further processed and flavor-enhanced items like tenders, nuggets, and sandwiches," he said. "But it's not necessarily a sustainable or long-term approach to consistently increase overall production volume." 

3. Wintry Weather Expected From Iowa to Michigan

Winter weather advisories have been issued for a narrow strip stretching from north-central Iowa into Michigan, according to National Weather Service maps. 

From 2–3 inches of snow are forecast for counties in northern Iowa this afternoon into early tomorrow, the agency said. Locally heavier snowfall is possible. 

In eastern Michigan, blowing snow and fierce winds will create extremely cold wind chills that could drop to around minus-15°F. 

Roads will be slippery and the extreme cold could cause frostbite without precautions, NWS said. 

ARTICLE: SUCCESSFUL FARMING, JANUARY 20, 2026