Top Farmer Conference: January 10, 2025

As one of the most successful and longest-running management programs specifically crafted for farmers, the Purdue Top Farmer Conference is a one-day event for agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals looking to navigate the complexities of today's agricultural landscape. Participants will have the opportunity to network with peers and hear from farm management experts and agricultural economists from Purdue, Farm Credit Services of America, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Acres, a land value data analytics company.

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Crops

Crop Basis Levels Finish Weaker Than Recent Years

Looking back on last year, the importance of understanding how basis affects your marketing plan is evident. Basis levels for corn and soybeans peaked at different times during the 2023-2024 marketing year. Preparing for the Fall 2024 harvest, basis levels continue to be below the three-year trend. To check your up-to-date local basis levels throughout harvest this fall, visit Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture Crop Basis Tool.

July Crop Basis Movement Varies Significantly by Region as Marketing Year Nears End

Through July, we have seen a wide variation in the movement of both corn and soybean basis across Indiana. In East Central Indiana, corn basis has stayed within a $0.04/bu. range over the last four weeks and is currently $0.01/bu. lower than during the first week of July.

Corn & Soybean Basis Strengthen Through June & July

Depending on where you are located, Indiana corn and soybean basis have seen large swings in the last six weeks. For example, SE Indiana corn basis was -$0.13/bu. in the first week of June but was $0.03/bu. on July 10th. Unlike history suggests, the movement has generally been a strengthening in basis for both corn and soybeans.

Corn Was King: The Transition to Soy in U.S. Production Agriculture

Margaret Lippsmeyer presented during agri benchmark’s 2024 annual conference in mid June, which was hosted by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture in Valladolid, Spain. An increase in soybean acreage may come from either (a) shifting away from continuous corn rotations to corn-soy and (b) shifting corn-soy rotations toward corn-soy-soy. Based on agri benchmark data, Margaret showed that option (a) would require an increase in soybean prices of 6% and option (b) of 8% to make these rotations preferable over existing ones.

Stay Tuned for Possible Basis Swings This Summer

Since early May, Indiana corn basis has flattened or improved modestly, depending on the location. Corn basis levels throughout Indiana remain well below their three-year average.

Purdue Farm Management Tour & Indiana Master Farmer Reception 2024

Two outstanding farms in east-central Indiana will host visitors wanting to learn about farm and crop management on July 17th for the Purdue University Farm Management Tour. The Indiana Master Farmer reception and panel discussion will follow.

Corn & Soybean Basis Continue to Strengthen Despite Being Significantly Weaker than Historical Basis Levels

In recent weeks, corn basis has continued to strengthen steadily at many locations across the eastern Corn Belt. For example, corn basis in central Indiana for the second week of May was $0.22/bu. under July ’24 corn futures. This is $0.13/bu. stronger than the first week of March.

Corn & Soybean Basis Steady to Slightly Stronger Across the Eastern Corn Belt

In recent weeks, corn basis has been steady to slightly stronger across much of the eastern Corn Belt. For example, corn basis in central Indiana for the second week of April was $0.18/bu. under May ’24 corn futures.

International Benchmarks for Wheat Production (2024)

Examining the competitiveness of wheat production in different regions of the world is often difficult due to lack of comparable data and agreement regarding what needs to be measured. To be useful, international data needs to be expressed in common production units and converted to a common currency.

Corn and Soybean Basis Continue to Steadily Strengthen at Most Eastern Corn Belt Locations

In recent weeks, many eastern Corn Belt locations have seen steady to slightly stronger corn and soybean basis levels. For example, corn basis in central Indiana for the first week of March was $0.24/bu. under May ’24 corn futures. This is $0.05/bu. stronger than the first week of February, but still about $0.18/bu. weaker than the historical 3-year average corn basis for the region.

Center for Commercial Agriculture