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The Basics of Grain Basis Trading

April 28, 2014 by Craig Turner| Ag Marketing

Grain Basis is the difference between the price of a commodity in the local market subtracted from the price of the commodity in the futures market. Let’s use corn as an example. It is April 10th and a farmer in Fargo, ND has corn in the bin and wants to sell. His price at the local elevator is $4.50 per bushel. The front month for corn is May Corn and it is trading at $4.75 on the CBOT.

  • Cash Price in Fargo, ND on April 10th is $4.50
  • Futures price for May Corn on 4/10 is $4.75
  • Basis = Cash – Futures
  • Basis = $4.50 – $4.75
  • Basis = -$0.25

The basis for this farmer in Fargo, ND is “25 under May” which means his cash prices is 25 cents under the May corn futures. When farmers talk about selling corn or when elevators and ethanol plants talk about buying corn, they typically talk in terms of basis.

New to Ag Marketing? Our Hedgucation 101 blog series is perfect for beginners >>

When the basis is negative, the cash is lower than the futures, that usually means the local market is in sufficient supply of the commodity. The more supply in the market, the lower the basis can get. If the local market has less supply, or even an outright shortage, basis can be positive with the cash over the futures.

Lets say a farmer in Decatur, IL has corn in the bin and looking to sell to the local ethanol plant. It is still April 10th, the futures are still at $4.75, but the local price is $4.85. Decatur, IL has a shortage of corn and the ethanol plants need the corn to meet prior contracted obligations.

  • Cash Price in Decatur, IL on April 10th is $4.85
  • Futures price for May Corn on 4/10 is $4.75
  • Basis = Cash – Futures
  • Basis = $4.85 – $4.75
  • Basis = +$0.10

The basis for this farmer in Decatur, IL is “10 over May”, which means the local price is 10 cents over the May futures.

Why is this important? Cash prices can have a significant impact on futures prices. If basis across the country is rising, the futures prices may rally. If the basis across the country is declining, the futures price may fall. Some traders track national basis averages, as well as basis in key areas of the country, as they believe the cash price leads the futures prices, which is sometimes the case. If anything, being aware of the basis levels in key areas for the United States gives the trader an insight to the local grain markets around the country.

Futures Traders Guide to the WASDE

Filed Under: Ag Marketing

About Craig Turner

Craig Turner is a Senior Broker at Daniels Trading, author of Turner’s Take newsletter, and a Contributing Editor for Grain Analyst. Craig is often quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Dow Jones Newswire, Corn & Soybean Digest, and also makes appearances on SiriusXM – Rural Radio Channel 80 providing commentary for the Grain and Livestock markets. Craig has also been featured in FutureSource’s Fast Break series, Futures Magazine Online, and INO.com. Mr. Turner has a Bachelors from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) where he graduated with honors and has worked at the NYSE and Goldman Sachs. While at Goldman, Craig earned his MBA in the NYU Stern executive program. Learn more about Craig Turner.

Risk Disclosure

The StoneX Group Inc. group of companies provides financial services worldwide through its subsidiaries, including physical commodities, securities, exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives, risk management, global payments and foreign exchange products in accordance with applicable law in the jurisdictions where services are provided. References to over-the-counter (“OTC”) products or swaps are made on behalf of StoneX Markets LLC (“SXM”), a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”) and provisionally registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as a swap dealer. SXM’s products are designed only for individuals or firms who qualify under CFTC rules as an ‘Eligible Contract Participant’ (“ECP”) and who have been accepted as customers of SXM. StoneX Financial Inc. (“SFI”) is a member of FINRA/NFA/SIPC and registered with the MSRB. SFI does business as Daniels Trading/Top Third/Futures Online. SFI is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a Broker-Dealer and with the CFTC as a Futures Commission Merchant and Commodity Trading Adviser. References to securities trading are made on behalf of the BD Division of SFI and are intended only for an audience of institutional clients as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c). References to exchange-traded futures and options are made on behalf of the FCM Division of SFI.

Trading swaps and over-the-counter derivatives, exchange-traded derivatives and options and securities involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. The information herein is not a recommendation to trade nor investment research or an offer to buy or sell any derivative or security. It does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and does not create a binding obligation on any of the StoneX group of companies to enter into any transaction with you. You are advised to perform an independent investigation of any transaction to determine whether any transaction is suitable for you. No part of this material may be copied, photocopied or duplicated in any form by any means or redistributed without the prior written consent of StoneX Group Inc.

© 2023 StoneX Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Risk Disclosure

The StoneX Group Inc. group of companies provides financial services worldwide through its subsidiaries, including physical commodities, securities, exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives, risk management, global payments and foreign exchange products in accordance with applicable law in the jurisdictions where services are provided. References to over-the-counter (“OTC”) products or swaps are made on behalf of StoneX Markets LLC (“SXM”), a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”) and provisionally registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as a swap dealer. SXM’s products are designed only for individuals or firms who qualify under CFTC rules as an ‘Eligible Contract Participant’ (“ECP”) and who have been accepted as customers of SXM. StoneX Financial Inc. (“SFI”) is a member of FINRA/NFA/SIPC and registered with the MSRB. SFI does business as Daniels Trading/Top Third/Futures Online. SFI is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a Broker-Dealer and with the CFTC as a Futures Commission Merchant and Commodity Trading Adviser. References to securities trading are made on behalf of the BD Division of SFI and are intended only for an audience of institutional clients as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c). References to exchange-traded futures and options are made on behalf of the FCM Division of SFI.

Trading swaps and over-the-counter derivatives, exchange-traded derivatives and options and securities involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. The information herein is not a recommendation to trade nor investment research or an offer to buy or sell any derivative or security. It does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and does not create a binding obligation on any of the StoneX group of companies to enter into any transaction with you. You are advised to perform an independent investigation of any transaction to determine whether any transaction is suitable for you. No part of this material may be copied, photocopied or duplicated in any form by any means or redistributed without the prior written consent of StoneX Group Inc.

© 2023 StoneX Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

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