Organic feed corn prices moved in opposite directions across two delivery channels in the USDA report published November 12. The national grower spot average delivered to feed mills rose 42 cents to $11.58 per bushel, while the country elevator average fell 11 cents to $10.51.
These are US dollar prices for US number 2 yellow corn, feed grade, new crop, delivered by truck. The reporting period is October 26 to November 6, 2026. They are observed physical market averages from that period, not exchange futures or live quotations.
A wider gap across different transactions
The difference between the two reported averages is $1.07 per bushel. Reversing the stated changes gives previous averages of $11.16 at mills and $10.62 at elevators, a 54 cent gap. The difference therefore widened by 53 cents.
That calculation compares two groups of reported transactions. It does not measure the return from buying a particular load at an elevator and reselling it to a mill. Locations, delivery requirements, timing and the composition of reported trades can differ. The figures alone do not identify which factor drove the divergence.
What buyers should compare
A feed buyer budgeting against the cheaper elevator average could understate procurement costs if the required contract is delivered to a mill. The relevant comparison is a firm offer for the same quality, certification, location and delivery date, including freight and handling.
Higher reported mill prices can put pressure on feed budgets if they persist and affect actual purchases. They do not establish a rise in meat, dairy or grocery prices. Existing contracts, ingredient substitution and other costs influence any later transmission.
The next data points
The organic report lists November 25 as its next release, outside the coming seven days. USDA lists broader weekly export sales releases on November 13 and November 19. Those releases offer grain demand context but should not be treated as a direct measure of organic domestic corn prices.
Our guide to grains and soft commodity markets explains why delivery terms matter.
Source USDA National Organic Grain and Feedstuff Report, November 12, 2026, page 1. Calculations by FOLITIC from the published averages and changes.
Archival corn harvest photograph from September 2017, not an image of the surveyed transactions or proof of organic certification. USDA photograph by Preston Keres, public domain as a US federal government work. No further changes.
