Now that harvest is upon us in the United States, we will start to see some changes in the commodity market. 

For one, we start to see more interest in basis values. Historically, buyers back off their basis values once harvest begins and new-crop bushels become available. 

In recent weeks, basis values have become mixed, though, with firmer bids in the eastern Corn Belt than the west. Crops aren't as favorable in the eastern belt, and farmers aren't forward...