With fall harvest underway across much of the state and a record corn crop expected, grain storage decisions are just one of many on top of mind for farmers this fall. Low commodity prices complicate the decision-making process.

Even with projected record-setting yields, price fluctuations and storage costs, or storage capacity concerns, could eat into any potential profits. Although there is not a single factor used to make storage decisions, storage capacity and expected benefits (returns) can have significant implications.

Note that this analysis utilizes current futures prices and historic basis statewide data. Returns calculated in this analysis are merely estimates based on current market conditions and historical data and should not be counted on with certainty.

Off-Farm Storage 

For this analysis, harvest was assumed to take place during the month of October with no storage charge for the first month. Commercial storage costs...