Corn and soybean prices across Cedarville County have slid to their lowest point in three years, a trend county extension officials say is being driven by a strong national harvest and softer export demand.
Corn is fetching $3.62 a bushel at the Cedarville grain elevator, down from $4.40 a year ago. Soybeans have fared little better, settling near $9.10 after trading above $12 in 2023.
"We've weathered price dips before, but this one's got a lot of growers looking hard at their storage contracts."
Extension agent Priscilla Combs said the county's cooperative grain pool, which allows smaller farms to hold and sell jointly, has seen a 30 percent jump in enrollment this fall compared to last year.
Not every grower is convinced pooling is the answer. Fourth-generation farmer Russ Beeler, who works 640 acres east of town, said he's opted to store this year's corn on his own property rather than sell at current prices, betting the market recovers by spring.
The county's grain elevator on Route 4, meanwhile, is at the center of a separate dispute over a proposed tax district to fund its repairs — a matter the county commission tabled again at Tuesday's meeting.
Hensley reports that a decision on both fronts is expected to come to a head before the next planting season begins in March.