Randy Francois is paying more attention to the corn market this year than ever before. He’s also keeping a close eye on inputs, rents and all the other costs of farming.

That’s all because 24-year-old Francois is launching his farming career and grew his first corn crop this year.

Francois said growing his 120 acres of corn was a lot different than helping his parents occasionally with their fieldwork.

"The biggest thing is I look so much closer at the dollars and cents of...