Get Daily Iowa Grain Price Alerts
GrainBrief monitors USDA AMS, CFTC COT, and FAS export sales to send you a weekly buy/hold/wait signal for Iowa corn, soybeans, and wheat. Free trial. No credit card required.
Start Free Trial →About Iowa Grain Markets
Iowa corn trades within $0.05–$0.15/bu of CBOT futures (tight basis), with elevators concentrated along the I-80 corridor and Missouri River.
Understanding Iowa Grain Basis
Basis is the difference between the local elevator cash price and the nearest CME futures contract. Basis tells you how your local market is priced relative to the national benchmark.
Iowa typically runs a 5–20¢ negative basis on corn, meaning cash prices are 5–20¢ below CME December futures. Harvest lows typically hit October–November.
A strengthening basis (cash rising relative to futures) signals strong local demand — typically from nearby ethanol plants, feed mills, or export elevators bidding aggressively for grain. A weakening basis signals local oversupply or reduced demand. Watch for basis moves of 10¢ or more in a single week as an actionable signal.
Iowa Grain Elevator Landscape
Key Iowa elevators: Cargill Iowa Falls, ADM Iowa, Heartland Co-op, West Central Cooperative.