Corn Futures Prices Today

The live price above shows the CBOT front-month corn futures contract (ZC), refreshed every 30 minutes. The "Today's Market Read" block synthesizes price position, the corn/bean ratio signal, seasonal context, and dollar impact into a single oriented paragraph — updated with every price refresh. No other free page does this.

December corn (ZCZ) is the new-crop harvest benchmark — the market's best estimate of what corn will be worth when it comes off the combine. Row crop producers use December corn to forward price grain before planting and throughout the growing season. A December corn price above your full cost of production is a forward-selling opportunity; below it means current prices don't cover this year's expenses at expected yields.

The corn/bean ratio — November bean futures divided by December corn futures — compares relative revenue per acre between the two crops. Below 2.4:1 historically favors corn; above 2.6:1 favors beans; 2.4–2.6 is neutral. The live ratio is in the Key Ratios widget above. Always pair it with your local breakeven and rotation requirements — the ratio is a starting point, not the final decision.

Cash corn at your local elevator equals CBOT futures plus or minus local basis. Basis reflects transportation costs to export terminals, local supply and demand, and elevator margins. It's typically negative (cash below futures) in the upper Midwest due to freight. Use AGSIST's Cash Bids page to see your elevator's posted price — local basis already included.

Ethanol production consumes roughly 38% of the US corn crop annually — the single largest domestic use category. When ethanol margins are strong, processors bid aggressively for corn, supporting nearby futures. The EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard creates baseline blending demand. Policy changes — waiver volumes, small refinery exemptions — directly ripple into corn price direction and belong on every corn producer's radar.

Corn historically bottoms at and after harvest (October–November) when supply is greatest. Prices tend to rally from late winter through June as old-crop stocks tighten and new-crop weather uncertainty builds a risk premium. The seasonal chart above illustrates these historical tendencies with the current month highlighted in gold. Major events — drought, WASDE surprise, trade policy — override seasonal norms in any given year.

The USDA WASDE (World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates), released monthly around the 10th, is the single most market-moving report for corn. Surprise changes to ending stocks can move corn 15–25 cents in minutes. The March Prospective Plantings and June Acreage reports also routinely surprise markets. Weekly Crop Progress (Monday 4pm CT) and Export Sales (Thursday 7:30am CT) provide ongoing signals through the season. See AGSIST's USDA Calendar for all upcoming dates.

CBOT corn trades electronically Sunday through Friday — overnight session 7:00 PM to 7:45 AM CT, day session 8:30 AM to 1:20 PM CT. AGSIST refreshes prices every 30 minutes on weekdays. Weekend prices reflect the last published Friday settlement until Monday trading resumes.

December corn (ZCZ) is the new-crop harvest benchmark — the market's estimate of fall delivery value. Producers use December corn to forward price new-crop grain before planting and throughout the growing season.

Cash corn equals CBOT futures plus or minus local basis. Basis reflects transportation costs, local supply/demand, and elevator margins. Use AGSIST Cash Bids to see your elevator's posted price including local basis.

Primary drivers: USDA WASDE monthly supply/demand reports, weather during planting and pollination, ethanol demand and RFS policy, export sales and inspections, and the US Dollar Index. South American crop estimates also affect global corn flows.

Corn historically bottoms in October-November at peak harvest supply. Prices tend to rally late winter through June as old-crop stocks tighten and weather uncertainty builds new-crop premium. Major events override seasonal tendencies in any given year.