At the close of trade on September 12, 2025, U.S. grain markets posted solid gains, fueled by crop stress concerns and position adjustments by funds ahead of the latest USDA WASDE report.

December corn closed up 10¼¢ at $4.30 per bushel, while November soybeans jumped 12¾¢ to $10.46¼ per bushel. December CBOT wheat gained 2¢ to $5.23½, Kansas City wheat added 4¾¢ to $5.14¾, and Minneapolis wheat rose 1¢ to $5.27½.

Karl Setzer, partner at Consus Ag Consulting, noted that harvest pressure is emerging, with reports of yield stress linked to late-season heat and disease pressure. He added:

"Open interest is building in the market as funds continue to trim short positions, with some signs of a long position being built."

The morning session also saw early strength. By 9:30 a.m. CT, corn was up 4¼¢ at $4.24, and soybeans were up 8¾¢ at $10.42¼, as traders positioned ahead of the USDA supply and demand estimates.

Setzer pointed to several market drivers:

• Limited Chinese buying activity, though domestic soy crush demand provides support.

• Stable U.S. wheat stocks expectations.

• Global carryout projected steady, with higher production in South America offsetting smaller U.S. yields.

In livestock markets, momentum shifted lower by the close: December live cattle dropped $2.20 to $231.92 per cwt, October feeder cattle fell $6.55 to $345.80 per cwt, and December lean hogs eased 62¢ to $88.62 per cwt.

Outside ag commodities, October crude oil firmed 22¢ to $62.59 per barrel. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 273.78 points, while the S&P 500 slipped 3.18 points. The December U.S. Dollar Index was up 92 points by late afternoon.

Overall, the grain complex finished the week on a bullish note, with corn and soybeans both gaining over 10¢, underscoring market volatility as the harvest season ramps up and global buyers await clarity from the USDA's September WASDE report.