With the 2013 harvest completed, Iowa farmers are holding a lot of unpriced grain this fall. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach farm management specialist Steve Johnson said those farmers might want to consider using a basis contract to market at least a portion of those bushels, especially those that are stor­ed commercially.

An attractive basis and need for cash will be the main drivers for farmers to move stored bushels. With high 2013 farm income levels, farmers may wait to sell bushels until after the first of the year or defer additional income.

Johnson expects corn basis...