Corn Prices Today: Cash Price per Bushel & Corn Futures
Today’s corn prices per bushel: the Iowa state average cash price, cash bids by region and CBOT corn futures settlements, straight from the USDA’s daily Iowa cash grain report. Iowa is the largest corn-producing state, so its cash prices are a widely used benchmark for the US corn market.
Last updated: September 29, 2026
Cash bids by Iowa region
| Region | Bid range ($/bu) | Average ($/bu) | Year ago ($/bu) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest | $4.77 – $5.11 | $4.84 | $3.73 |
| North Central | $4.72 – $4.98 | $4.80 | $3.72 |
| Northeast | $4.62 – $5.07 | $4.79 | $3.71 |
| Southwest | $4.77 – $4.94 | $4.83 | $3.71 |
| South Central | $4.69 – $4.92 | $4.81 | $3.71 |
| Southeast | $4.53 – $4.82 | $4.71 | $3.62 |
CBOT corn futures settlements
| Contract | Settlement ($/bu) | Cents/bu |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 26 | $5.22 | 522.00¢ |
| Mar 27 | $5.36 | 536.00¢ |
| May 27 | $5.43 | 543.00¢ |
| Jul 27 | $5.46 | 545.75¢ |
| Sep 27 | $5.18 | 518.00¢ |
Source: USDA AMS Market News, Iowa Daily Cash Grain Bids, report for September 29, 2026. Prices are end-of-day USDA figures, not live quotes, and can differ from what your local buyer pays. Updated every weekday evening. Not financial advice.
Looking for older prices? See corn price history: yearly and monthly USDA prices with long-term charts.
Understanding Corn Prices
- Cash price: what country elevators in Iowa are bidding today for No. 2 yellow corn delivered by truck.
- Futures price: the settlement for CBOT corn futures. Corn contracts trade for March, May, July, September and December delivery.
- Basis: the cash price minus the futures price. In the table, a basis like “−50Z” means 50 cents under the December (Z) futures contract.
- Bushel: a bushel of shelled corn is 56 lb (25.4 kg). One metric tonne is about 39.4 bushels.
Quick Conversions
| If corn is… | Per tonne (approx.) | Per pound (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| $4.00/bu | $157 | 7.1¢ |
| $5.00/bu | $197 | 8.9¢ |
| $6.00/bu | $236 | 10.7¢ |
What Moves Corn Prices
- USDA’s monthly WASDE report and the quarterly Grain Stocks report
- Summer weather during pollination (July) in the Corn Belt
- Ethanol demand, which uses roughly a third of the US corn crop
- Export sales and South American harvests
- Harvest pressure in autumn, when cash basis often widens
Growing your own? See all farm market prices and our guide to improving heavy soil before planting.
FAQ
What is the price of corn per bushel today?
See the Iowa average cash price at the top of this page. It is updated every weekday from USDA’s Iowa Daily Cash Grain Bids report.
Why is the cash corn price lower than the futures price?
Cash prices at country elevators are usually below futures because of transport costs to terminals, storage and local supply. That difference is called the basis.
How much does a bushel of corn weigh?
A standard bushel of shelled corn weighs 56 pounds (25.4 kg) at 15.5% moisture.
Is this financial advice?
No. These are public USDA prices for information only. Talk to your buyer or a licensed advisor before selling or hedging grain.