Corn Shelling Bees: A Cornerstone of Early American Agriculture Corn has played a vital role in American agriculture since the nation’s earliest days. Long before modern machinery transformed farming, corn was processed entirely by hand, making it one of the most labor-intensive crops on early American farms. This simple grain supported not only families and livestock, but entire rural communities. …
Corn Trade Potential
Soybean Trade Update: Holiday Slowdown Continues as Corn Finds Support in Ethanol Demand We have updated the soybean trade, and daily trade volume continues to move at a very slow pace. With Christmas coming tomorrow and the New Year’s holiday arriving just a week later, many market participants have already stepped to the sidelines. Seasonal factors are clearly at play, …
National Corn Husking Association: Preserving the Tradition of Hand-Harvested Corn
A Tradition Born from Necessity From the 1920s to the 1940s, harvesting corn by hand was more than a skill—it was essential for farmers across the United States. Before modern machinery, families relied on hand-harvesting techniques to gather one of the nation’s most important crops. This labor-intensive process required not only endurance and speed but also precision, making corn husking …
Corn Trade Update
Corn Market Holds Steady as Ethanol Demand Signals Upside Potential The corn trade has remained relatively lackluster in recent weeks, moving within a defined trading range and lacking a strong directional push. However, underlying fundamentals suggest the market may have the potential to work higher, particularly if demand trends continue to strengthen. One of the most supportive factors for corn …
Baseline Production Figures Released Early
USDA Releases 2026 Baseline Acreage Estimates Earlier Than Usual In a rare move, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its baseline acreage figures for the 2026 crop year ahead of schedule this week. Typically, these projections are unveiled during the Ag Outlook Forum in February, but this year’s early release is raising eyebrows across the ag sector. Possible Government Shutdown …
Fed Rate Cut Expected
Markets Focus on Federal Reserve as USDA Monthly Crop Report Takes Backseat Yesterday’s USDA monthly crop report (WASDE Report) entered a market environment already dominated by two major developments: the administration’s $12 billion farm aid package and expectations of another Federal Reserve rate cut. With financial markets laser-focused on interest rate movements, both Chicago grain traders and Wall Street placed …
U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council Reports Record-Setting 2025 Corn Crop Quality
The U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council has released its annual year-end corn quality report—its 15th consecutive edition—and the 2025 results show one of the best U.S. corn crops ever produced. According to the report, “U.S. corn producers delivering one of the highest quality crops on record.” The 2025 harvest not only achieved historic volume, but also showcased exceptional grain quality. …
ADAI Notice of intent to Suspend Grain Dealer License
Alabama Issues Notice to Suspend Grain Dealer License Over Unpaid Producers The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has issued a formal notice of intent to suspend a grain dealer license after multiple farmers reported missing payments for delivered grain. Commissioner Rick Pate announced the action following complaints from Alabama producers who had not been paid by Hansen-Mueller Co. …
Railroad Merger Insights
Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern Merger Advances Amid Agricultural Concerns Shareholders of Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) railroads have nearly unanimously approved the next step in the multi-year process to merge the two companies. If completed, the merger will create America’s first coast-to-coast railroad, promising faster delivery times and competitive rail rates for many industries. Potential Benefits Highlighted by Rail …
Corn Crop Estimates for 2025
USDA Updates 2025 Corn and Cotton Forecasts as Farmers Seek Profitable Options As USDA’s Ag Statistics Service works to catch up after the recent federal shutdown, farmers across the country continue searching for commodities that will generate profit next season—a task becoming increasingly difficult as markets tighten. The latest USDA updates on corn and cotton provide important insight into production …










