When is the best time to sell grain?

Market trend data may hold the key to maximizing sales.

green tractor with harvest attachment harvesting in a wheat field
A review of recent market trends may offer some guidance on opportunities to maximize grain sales. Photo by Gavin Fregona for Pexels.

One of the challenges with successfully marketing grain is identifying the best time to sell. Market prices can change frequently based on supply or demand which creates uncertainty about when to sell. Selling too soon can mean missing opportunities for higher prices. Selling too late can lead to concerns about minimizing losses if prices suddenly go down. Global supply and trade disruptions, or their potential, can also add additional uncertainty to markets.

To navigate this challenge, a review of recent market trends may offer some guidance on opportunities to maximize grain sales. Market trends reveal that a theoretical typical marketing trend may not always be present in any given year. Additionally, the best time to sell corn may not be the best time to sell soybeans. Especially considering impacts from competitors in the global market.

A new publication from MSU Extension, When is the Best Time to Sell Grain?, takes an in-depth look at these considerations around market trends. The review offers insight into common patterns from the past 10 years of market data for corn and soybeans. As well as discussion on how to use trend pattern information in grain marketing decisions for your farm.

Download the When is the Best Time to Sell Grain? fact sheet today at either MSU Extension’s Farm Business Management and Commodity Marketing websites.

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