USDA's World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report lands Friday, and the trade's biggest question is what Iowa's rain-soaked cornfields will actually yield once combines roll through a stretch of good weather.

That uncertainty comes from Nick Tsiolis, CEO and founder of Farmer's Keeper, speaking on Ag Marketing IQ In Depth. "The biggest news that the trade is watching is what's going to happen as more guys in Iowa use this good weather stretch to get out there in the field so we can really see what those yields are looking like," Tsiolis said.

What should farmers do with the corn rally?

Tsiolis hopes growers sold into the recent rally, which he calls a "historic counter-seasonal rally — one we haven't seen in 50 years." He still sees bullish potential in corn and soybean futures, especially heading into the first quarter of 2027.

Even so, he urged farmers to sell strategically now rather than store physical grain. The math is blunt:

• Record-high diesel prices
• Elevated interest rates
• Shrink and storage costs

Together these make carrying grain expensive at a level growers have not faced before.

"It's advantageous to sell a certain amount of grain here at harvest — put the money in your pocket," Tsiolis said.

How can sellers keep upside exposure?

Tsiolis recommended pairing harvest sales with options rather than outright ownership of stored bushels.

"You can still protect yourself with various futures and options strategies that are out there and then be able to participate if the market goes back up," Tsiolis said. "And if it doesn't, at least you made those sales and you've covered yourself. That's all about risk management."

Why is basis so strong?

Corn basis shows strength nationally, supported by aggressive export programs and record diesel prices that bolster ethanol demand. Soybean basis also remains historically strong, with crushers running record margins and competing against robust export demand for available bushels.

"They're going to compete to get your grain," Tsiolis said. He encouraged farmers to keep talking with local buyers, especially if harvest delays stretch on and keep country movement tight.

What looms for 2027 margins?

Looking past this crop, Tsiolis flagged next year's cost structure as the bigger worry. Despite favorable revenue guarantees, he expects margin pressure to build. "Our input price is going to go up even higher," he said.

That projection puts a premium on locking in input coverage early and treating Friday's WASDE data — together with verified Iowa yield results as harvest progresses — as the reference points for sizing both old-crop and new-crop sales.