3 Big Things Today, June 16, 2025

1. Grain Futures Lower Amid Favorable Weather

Grain futures were lower in overnight trading and soybeans were little changed as investors turn their attention back to favorable weather conditions in several global growing areas. 

Precipitation is expected in parts of North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota today and light rain is forecast for counties in western Kansas where hard-red winter wheat is growing, according to National Weather Service maps. 

Parts of Nebraska and Iowa likely will see showers today, the agency said. 

The rainfall may offer a boost to growing grains and beans that are already in relatively good shape.

About 71% of U.S. corn was in good or excellent condition at the start of last week, up from 69% the previous week, Department of Agriculture data show. Sixty-eight percent of soybeans earned top ratings, up from 67% the week prior. 

The U.S. winter wheat crop was 54% good or excellent last week, up from 52% seven days earlier, and 53% of spring wheat earned top ratings versus 50% a week earlier, the Ag Department said. 

USDA is scheduled to release its weekly crop progress report this afternoon.

Investors seem to have turned their attention back to the weather after the Environmental Protection Agency released its proposed blending volumes on Friday, though soybean futures were buoyed overnight by the increased blending requirements suggested by the agency. 

Corn for July delivery fell 4 3/4¢ to $4.39 3/4 a bushel overnight on the Chicago Board of Trade. 

Wheat futures lost 6 1/4¢ to $5.37 1/2 a bushel, and Kansas City futures were down 4 1/2¢ to $5.36 1/4 a bushel. 

Soybean futures for July were unchanged overnight at $10.69 3/4 a bushel. Soymeal was down $3.60 to $288.30 a short ton and soy oil futures jumped 2.7¢ to 53.31¢ a pound. 

2. Farm Groups Applaud Proposed Blending Volumes

Farm groups applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed biofuel blending volumes under the renewable fuels standard.

EPA on Friday said it would propose total renewable fuel blending requirements of 24.02 billion gallons in 2026 and 24.46 billion gallons in 2027. That’s up from 22.33 billion gallons in 2025 and if realized would be the highest amount of biofuel blending with gasoline on record. 

The ethanol mandate would remain at 15 billion gallons. 

The Renewable Fuels Association said in a statement that the renewable volume obligations for the next two years are a “very positive signal” for the ethanol and farming industries. 

“The volumes proposed (Friday) provide crucial growth opportunities for U.S. ethanol producers and farmers, while boosting the supply of lower-cost, American-made energy,” EPA said in a statement. 

The National Corn Growers Association said the mandates provide “certainty” for corn farmers in the U.S.

Volume requirements for biomass-based diesel will increase to 5.61 billion gallons in 2026 and 5.86 billion in 2027 from 3.35 billion gallons this year, EPA said. 

The increase in volumes for biodiesel will benefit soybean farmers, processors and biofuel producers, the American Soybean Association said in a statement. 

3. Severe Weather Possible in Parts of South Dakota

Severe thunderstorms are possible in parts of South Dakota this afternoon as hail and strong winds are in the forecast, the National Weather Service said in a report early this morning. 

Hail up to an inch in diameter and wind gusts exceeding 60 mph are possible. 

Wind advisories have been issued for several counties in south-central South Dakota as intense winds are expected throughout the morning, the agency said. 

“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and a few power outages may result,” NWS said. 

Scattered thunderstorms are possible today and tonight in parts of eastern Iowa and northern Illinois. 

Storms are in the forecast each day through the middle of next week in the area with some severe weather possible from time to time, the agency said.