Farmers Seize Opportunity in Price Rally Amid Rising Commodity Prices
A recent price rally in corn, soybean, and wheat commodities has created an opportunity for farmers to market their 2026 crops and start planning for next year's harvest. With prices reaching levels not seen in three years, producers are facing a chance to recoup some of the financial losses they've experienced since 2023 due to rising input costs and stagnant commodity prices.
The December 2027 corn futures price is trading near $5.30, November 2027 soybeans over $12.00, and July 2027 Chicago wheat over $7.50. These levels are high enough for farmers to initiate sales at potentially positive returns on their bushels.
According to Bryan Doherty, a senior market advisor with Total Farm Marketing, the key is to sell 25-35% of expected production based solely on price, dismissing daily market chatter and focusing on a return on investment of greater than 10%. A litmus test for early sales is whether they made sense in hindsight after the year's end.
Farmers are advised to monitor the market carefully, work closely with their advisors, and consider using set price targets or following the market with sell points below the current price. The goal is to make informed decisions rather than reacting emotionally to market fluctuations.