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Marketing

U.S. and Brazil Soybean Competitiveness: Farm-Level Costs and Returns

This article compares farm-level soybean costs and profitability in Iowa and Mato Grosso from 2020–2024. Brazilian farms face higher direct input costs, while U.S. farms carry heavier land-related overhead. Structural cost differences help explain Brazil’s sustained profitability and ongoing competitiveness in global soybean markets.

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Corn Basis is Stable Across the Eastern Corn Belt, but Soybean Basis Varies

Corn basis remains steady across much of the Eastern Corn Belt as markets transition to May futures contracts, with particularly strong local basis levels in central Ohio and northern Indiana. Meanwhile, soybean basis shows significantly more volatility, with widening spreads across districts and notable weakness in Iowa. Ethanol plants continue to offer firm premiums relative to local delivery points, while soybean crush plant basis has softened in several states. Producers can use the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture’s Crop Basis Tool to compare local ethanol and crush plant basis levels and evaluate current pricing opportunities against historical averages.

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Crop Basis Trends Up Across the Eastern Corn Belt, but Regional Variance is Significant

Corn and soybean basis levels have improved across much of the Eastern Corn Belt in early 2026, though large regional differences remain. Learn what’s driving basis strength—and how to track your local opportunities using Purdue’s Crop Basis Tool.

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Corn Basis Shows Volatility While Soybean Basis Stabilizes

Local corn basis across the Eastern Corn Belt has become more volatile, with regions like Indiana and Ohio showing continued strength to March futures, while parts of Illinois have seen weakening. In contrast, soybean basis has stabilized and remains below recent averages in much of the region. Historical patterns suggest basis volatility may ease as we head into the new year — but mixed signals from certain areas warrant close monitoring. Full regional breakdowns and charts are available in the complete article.

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U.S. Corn & Soybean Exports: Diversification Drives Growth in Corn & Cushions Decline in Soybeans

In 2025, diversified export markets softened the decline in U.S. soybean exports and fueled growth in corn shipments—highlighting diversification as both a defensive and offensive market strategy.

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Corn and Soybean Basis Stabilizes After Seasonal Post-Harvest Rise

Corn and soybean basis have strengthened post-harvest in the Eastern Corn Belt, particularly in Indiana and Ohio, while Iowa lags behind. As winter sets in, historical patterns suggest basis levels will stabilize — but regional deviations highlight the importance of local tracking.

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U.S.–China Soybean Deal: Comparing Past Export Levels and Global Market Impacts

Despite the headline deal between the U.S. and China on soybeans, the numbers show a different story. The 12 million-ton commitment for 2025 remains below recent norms, while Brazil and Argentina surged ahead in China’s market. For producers focused on scale, margins, and global competition, the implications are clear: tariff concerns remain, diversification matters, and South America is an emerging force.

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Cover Crop Adoption: Results from 5 Years of Ag Economy Barometer Surveys

When thinking about the adoption of conservation practices, like cover crops, it is important to note two things. First, adoption rates have ebbs and flows; in other words, adoption does not necessarily follow a steady trend. Second, sometimes conservation practices

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D.C. Insights: A Conversation with Joe Balagtas

Joe Balagtas, a former senior economist at the White House’s Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) and professor of agricultural economics at Purdue joins colleague hosts Todd Kuethe and Chad Fiechter in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast. Balagtas shares his unique experiences working at the CEA during the Trump administration and his role in providing the President with critical economic information.

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Brazil Begins Planting with Expected Record Acreage Driven by High Demand but Low Margins

Farmers across Brazil have begun planting the 2025/26 crop season, with expectations for another record in corn and soybean acreage. The first outlook for the new cycle, released by the National Supply Company (Conab), Brazil’s food supply and statistics agency,

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