Weekly Market Update 9/25/2025

Here is your weekly market update from the Garden City Co-op Grain Origination Team.

Trivia

1. What famous Disney character made its debut in the 1928 animated short film Steamboat Willie?

2. What year did the Berlin Wall fall?

Answers at the bottom.

Market News

MARKET UPDATE: December corn futures rose 3 ¼-cents in the overnight trading session on Wednesday. Today’s trading session closed 1 ½-cents higher, settling at $4.2575. The first week of harvest has brought with it discussions of disappointing yields across the Midwest and an expectation that average yield estimates will continue to deteriorate. A lack of headlines and increased harvest activity could continue to limit the market in the near future. As the summer driving season fades into the rearview, ethanol production continues to decrease. During the week ending September 19^th, ethanol production averaged 1.024 million barrels, down almost 3% from the previous week. Soybean markets remain under pressure as China continues to avoid US soybean purchases as we see little progress in ongoing trade discussions. To date 25/26 soybean export sales are down 36% from the same period in 24/25 – a 17 year low for this time of year. November soybean futures were up 5 ¾-cents late overnight Wednesday and are 3 ¼-cents higher at the close today. December wheat futures were up 6 ¼-cents during the overnight session after falling 1-cent on Wednesday – the 5^th consecutive decline in the past five trade sessions. At the close today, December futures are up 5 ½-cents to $5.1225. Traders will continue to monitor weekly exports, in the hope that export demand may be on the mend soon. Check out our section on export sales for more details.

EXPORTS: U.S. exporters sold 75.7 million bushels of corn for the week ending September 18, bringing total marketing year sales to a record 1.014 billion bushels, exceeding USDA's target pace by 212 million bushels. Mexico was the top buyer, purchasing 35.1 million bushels. Soybean exports totaled 26.6 million bushels, with Egypt accounting for 6.1 million bushels. Overall, soybean sales are lagging, reaching only 404 million bushels, the slowest pace in 17 years. Wheat export sales reached 501 million bushels, a 12-year high, exceeding the seasonal pace needed for the USDA's target. Grain sorghum sales were 2.2 million bushels. Inspected commodities at the start of the week showed a strong wheat complex standout, with HRW. Corn was Decent and between estimates; however, beans were lackluster & 1.2 million bushels of milo were shipped.



MEXICO'S NWS DEBACLE:  We started the week with the USDA revealing that Mexico had notified it about a beef animal found with larvae of the dreaded New World Screwworm, less than 70 miles south of our border with Mexico. Mexico said there was no need to worry because the animal had recently been transported from southern areas where the NWS is more common. There hadn’t been enough time for the larvae to mature into adult flies before detection. However, this is a concern because the animal should not have been allowed to be transported north out of infested areas, suggesting that the USDA will likely not open the border for Mexican cattle to flow into the United States anytime soon. The USDA’s statement also included a brief note that we can expect an announcement from the White House regarding President Trump’s plan to increase the U.S. cattle supply. That led to speculation that the White House would introduce a financial stimulus program to encourage cattlemen to hold back young heifers and rebuild the breeding herd, which would further tighten the supplies available for feeding. As a result, deferred feeder cattle futures surged roughly $20 per cwt at one point this week. Still, we lack clarity on the decisions the White House plans to make.

CROP PROGRESS: Kansas crop conditions continue to decrease as harvest pressure looms. Kansas corn is down 2 points from last week at 61% good to excellent, below the national average of 66%. Corn harvest is trying to ramp up in Kansas with now 20% of the crop harvested. Milo has reached 38% maturity while a very small amount has been harvested. Conditions have dropped to 63% good to excellent in Kansas and 64% nationally, but still well above last year’s conditions. Soybeans are estimated at 68% good to excellent in Kansas, above the national average of 61%. 41% of beans are dropping leaves while 1% of the Kansas crop has been harvested.

WEATHER: Skies today are sunny with a high near 79°F. Sunny skies will remain throughout the next week with highs near 80°F and nighttime lows in the upper 50s with no chances of precipitation as of today.

Trivia Answers

1. Mickey Mouse

2. 1989