During a recent presentation at the 2026 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Al Kluis, managing director of Kluis Commodity Advisors, addressed the evolving landscape of grain selling strategies. A question arose: Is May still the prime month for selling grain?
Kluis's response indicated a significant shift: the optimal times for selling grain have now moved earlier in the year. "While May was a reliable month in the past, the best prices in recent years have often come from selling aggressively in January and February," he explained.
In a notable recommendation, Kluis highlighted that farmers should aim to have 90% of their cash soybean crop sold by now. Additionally, he advised that 30% of the 2026 crop should be hedged. For corn, he suggested selling 60% of the cash crop and hedging 10% for the upcoming year.
Despite the changes in selling windows, Kluis emphasized a consistent piece of advice: the months of August to October remain the least favorable for selling grain. He cautioned, "Farmers often incur greater losses from prolonged storage than from selling too early. Proactivity is essential; having a plan and executing it is crucial for success."
Key Dates to Monitor Market Trends
Kluis also provided attendees with critical dates to watch for potential market shifts:
Corn Dates
- March 6, 2026
- March 31, 2026
- May 22, 2026
- June 19, 2026
Soybean Dates
- March 6, 2026
- March 31, 2026
- May 22, 2026
- June 22, 2026
- July 11, 2026
Market Factors to Watch
Kluis concluded with a reminder of several key market indicators that farmers should keep an eye on this year:
- The May-July spreads in corn and soybean futures
- The forthcoming Prospective Plantings acreage report
- Weather forecasts for spring and summer
- Global economic trends impacting commodity demand
While he acknowledged the current price environment's challenges, Kluis expressed optimism for the future, suggesting that conditions could significantly improve by 2027.