Iowa Grain Prices Today: Cash Corn, Soybean & Wheat Bids
Today’s Iowa grain prices: the average cash bid for corn, soybeans and other grains across Iowa, with prices, basis and year-ago bids for each location in the USDA daily report. Iowa is the country’s largest corn-producing state and one of the top two soybean states, so its cash bids are one of the most-watched benchmarks in US grain markets. USDA reports bids from country elevators in six regions of the state.
Last updated: September 29, 2026
Iowa corn bids
| Location | Buyer | Bid range ($/bu) | Average | Basis (¢) | Year ago | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest | Country elevator | $4.77 – $5.11 | $4.84 | -45.00Z to -11.00Z | $3.73 | Current |
| North Central | Country elevator | $4.72 – $4.98 | $4.80 | -50.00Z to -24.00Z | $3.72 | Current |
| Northeast | Country elevator | $4.62 – $5.07 | $4.79 | -60.00Z to -15.00Z | $3.71 | Current |
| Southwest | Country elevator | $4.77 – $4.94 | $4.83 | -45.00Z to -28.00Z | $3.71 | Current |
| South Central | Country elevator | $4.69 – $4.92 | $4.81 | -53.00Z to -30.00Z | $3.71 | Current |
| Southeast | Country elevator | $4.53 – $4.82 | $4.71 | -69.00Z to -40.00Z | $3.62 | Current |
| Southwest | Terminal Elevators | $4.97 – $5.02 | $5.00 | -25.00Z to -20.00Z | $3.86 | Current |
Iowa soybeans bids
| Location | Buyer | Bid range ($/bu) | Average | Basis (¢) | Year ago | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest | Country elevator | $12.38 – $12.98 | $12.51 | -60.00X to 0.00X | $9.23 | Current |
| North Central | Country elevator | $12.28 – $12.98 | $12.46 | -70.00X to 0.00X | $9.28 | Current |
| Northeast | Country elevator | $12.23 – $13.41 | $12.41 | -75.00X to 43.00X | $9.26 | Current |
| Southwest | Country elevator | $12.35 – $12.98 | $12.57 | -63.00X to 0.00X | $9.25 | Current |
| South Central | Country elevator | $12.33 – $13.83 | $12.94 | -65.00X to 85.00X | $9.24 | Current |
| Southeast | Country elevator | $12.08 – $12.98 | $12.44 | -90.00X to 0.00X | $9.19 | Current |
| Southwest | Terminal Elevators | $12.98 | $12.98 | 0.00X | $9.42 | Current |
| Delivery | Mill / processor | $13.23 – $14.23 | $13.75 | 25.00X to 125.00X | $9.48 | Current |
Basis codes: Z = December futures, H = March, K = May, N = July, U = September, X = November. “-35Z” means 35 cents under December futures.
Source: USDA AMS Market News, Iowa daily grain bids, report for September 29, 2026. These are reported averages, not live quotes, and your local buyer may pay more or less. This page checks for a new report every weekday evening. Not financial advice.
What Drives Iowa Grain Prices
Iowa’s large ethanol and soybean processing industry creates strong local demand, and bids in the northwest often differ from the southeast because of distance to the Mississippi River terminals.
- Futures: every bid moves with the Chicago (CBOT) corn, soybean and wheat futures, or Kansas City futures for hard red winter wheat.
- Basis: the local premium or discount to futures, shown in cents with a contract code (Z = December, X = November, H = March, K = May, N = July).
- Buyer type: processors, ethanol plants and river terminals can pay more than country elevators because they are the end users or export point.
- Time of year: basis is usually weakest at harvest and firms up in spring and summer.
Compare With Other States
See cash grain bids by state to compare Iowa with neighboring states, or check national corn, soybean and wheat futures prices.
FAQ
What is the price of corn in Iowa today?
See the Iowa cash corn card at the top of this page. It is the average of current-delivery country elevator bids in the latest USDA Iowa grain report, updated every weekday.
Why do Iowa grain prices differ by location?
Each buyer sets its own basis depending on freight costs, local demand, storage space and how much grain it needs. Distance to rivers, rail loaders, ethanol plants and feedlots makes the biggest difference.
What does “-35Z” mean?
It is the basis: 35 cents per bushel below the December (Z) futures price. Add the basis to the futures price to get the cash price.
Is this financial advice?
No. These are public USDA prices for information only. Always get a firm bid from your buyer before selling.