By Tony Dreibus | Published on January 22, 2026

1. Soybean, Grain Futures Higher Overnight on China Talks

Soybean and grain futures were higher overnight after "positive" talks between the U.S. and China. 

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Tuesday partly in a bid to ensure more sales of U.S. soybeans to the Asian nation. 

Bessent said an April meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping may happen, though several rounds of talks must take place between the countries before any meetings would be planned. 

Demand for U.S. agricultural products remains robust as USDA announced sales of 150,000 metric tons of corn to Colombia and another 195,000 tons of the grain to an unnamed buyer. 

USDA has reported large sales of soybeans, corn, and wheat in each of the past nine business days. 

Soybean futures for March delivery rose 4¼¢ to $10.68¾ a bushel overnight on the Chicago Board of Trade,

soy meal added $2.70 to $294.10 a short ton and soy oil futures were down 0.07¢ to 53.94¢ a pound. 

Corn futures for March delivery gained 1½¢ to $4.23¼ a bushel. 

Wheat futures added 3¼¢ to $5.11 a bushel, while Kansas City futures rose 3¼¢ to $5.23 a bushel. 

RELATED: Soybeans Up Nearly 4¢ | Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026

2. Iowa Corn Faces Uncertainty Without Ethanol Expansion 

Year-round E15 and access to ultra-low carbon ethanol will be key to sustaining Iowa's corn and ethanol industry, according to a report released by Iowa Corn and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. 

The industry in Iowa, the largest producer of corn in the U.S., will face continued decline unless laws are passed implementing E15 and ultra-low carbon ethanol access nationwide, the groups said in a joint statement. 

"With Iowa-grown corn yields continuing to rise at a rate 15% faster than average corn yields across the U.S., it is imperative to Iowa's agricultural economy that new markets are accessible for Iowa's corn farmers," the statement said. 

Corn prices will drop to around $1.52 a bushel by 2025, the study said. 

"Without access to expanded and new markets, many farmers may be forced to downsize or close their doors altogether." 

The "missing link" to ensuring access to ultra-low carbon ethanol is carbon capture and sequestration pipelines, the groups said. 

Four of the top five markets for the U.S. ethanol industry — the European Union, the UK, Canada and Colombia —have low-carbon fuel policies designed to meet decarbonization goals. 

"(The sequestration pipelines) allows us to capture emissions at the source, drastically lowering the carbon intensity of our fuel and providing the verifiable data required to participate in high-value global markets," Iowa Corn and the Iowa RFA said in their report.

3. Winter Weather Forecast for Much of the U.S. 

Winter storms are expected in about the eastern two-thirds of the U.S., according to the National Weather Service. 

Extreme cold warnings have been issued from Montana to Iowa, winter storm warnings will take effect starting tomorrow in parts of Oklahoma and winter storm watches were implemented for a large stretch of the U.S. from New Mexico to Maine, NWS maps show. 

Wind chills in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin will drop as low as minus-55 degrees Fahrenheit this afternoon, the agency said. Values in eastern Iowa and northern Illinois will drop to around minus-35°F. 

Much of central Oklahoma is facing a winter storm warning as 6 or more inches of snow are expected in the

area. A glaze of ice is also expected in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. 

Heavy snow is forecast this weekend for much of central Ohio with more than 6 inches projected, NWS said.

The heaviest snowfall is expected on Sunday, though sub-zero wind chills will move into the area Saturday night. 

ARTICLE: SUCCESSFUL FARMING, JANUARY 22, 2026