Kentucky Corn Price — USDA NASS Monthly & MYA Data
Kentucky Corn price reached $4.81/bu in August 2026 — about $0.36/bu above the US average of $4.45/bu. Monthly price received by producers, sourced directly from USDA NASS.
Corn monthly price trend
Kentucky vs the US average, last 24 months of USDA NASS data
| Month | Kentucky price | US average |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-01 | $4.11/bu | $3.79/bu |
| 2020-02 | $4.16/bu | $3.78/bu |
| 2020-03 | $4.11/bu | $3.68/bu |
| 2020-04 | $3.76/bu | $3.29/bu |
| 2020-05 | $3.44/bu | $3.20/bu |
| 2020-06 | $3.51/bu | $3.16/bu |
| 2020-07 | $3.77/bu | $3.21/bu |
| 2020-08 | $3.43/bu | $3.12/bu |
| 2020-09 | $3.56/bu | $3.41/bu |
| 2020-10 | $3.70/bu | $3.61/bu |
| 2020-11 | $4.19/bu | $3.79/bu |
| 2020-12 | $4.08/bu | $3.97/bu |
| 2021-01 | $4.23/bu | $4.24/bu |
| 2021-02 | $4.67/bu | $4.75/bu |
| 2021-03 | $4.87/bu | $4.89/bu |
| 2021-04 | $5.44/bu | $5.31/bu |
| 2021-05 | $5.88/bu | $5.91/bu |
| 2021-06 | $6.16/bu | $6.00/bu |
| 2021-07 | $6.02/bu | $6.12/bu |
| 2021-08 | $6.35/bu | $6.32/bu |
| 2021-09 | $5.01/bu | $5.47/bu |
| 2021-10 | $5.02/bu | $5.02/bu |
| 2021-11 | $5.29/bu | $5.26/bu |
| 2021-12 | $5.30/bu | $5.47/bu |
| 2022-01 | $5.50/bu | $5.58/bu |
| 2022-02 | $6.07/bu | $6.09/bu |
| 2022-03 | $6.49/bu | $6.56/bu |
| 2022-04 | $6.79/bu | $7.07/bu |
| 2022-05 | $6.88/bu | $7.26/bu |
| 2022-06 | $7.04/bu | $7.38/bu |
| 2022-07 | $7.16/bu | $7.25/bu |
| 2022-08 | $7.14/bu | $7.24/bu |
| 2022-09 | $6.50/bu | $7.09/bu |
| 2022-10 | $6.56/bu | $6.49/bu |
| 2022-11 | $6.69/bu | $6.49/bu |
| 2022-12 | $6.72/bu | $6.58/bu |
| 2023-01 | $6.84/bu | $6.63/bu |
| 2023-02 | $7.05/bu | $6.80/bu |
| 2023-03 | $6.89/bu | $6.67/bu |
| 2023-04 | $6.85/bu | $6.70/bu |
| 2023-05 | $6.63/bu | $6.54/bu |
| 2023-06 | $6.86/bu | $6.49/bu |
| 2023-07 | $6.63/bu | $6.22/bu |
| 2023-08 | $6.17/bu | $5.73/bu |
| 2023-09 | $5.21/bu | $5.21/bu |
| 2023-10 | $4.90/bu | $4.93/bu |
| 2023-11 | $4.88/bu | $4.66/bu |
| 2023-12 | $5.05/bu | $4.80/bu |
| 2024-01 | $5.03/bu | $4.74/bu |
| 2024-02 | $4.51/bu | $4.36/bu |
| 2024-03 | $4.74/bu | $4.36/bu |
| 2024-04 | $4.54/bu | $4.39/bu |
| 2024-05 | $4.59/bu | $4.51/bu |
| 2024-06 | $4.62/bu | $4.48/bu |
| 2024-07 | $4.54/bu | $4.23/bu |
| 2024-08 | $4.04/bu | $3.84/bu |
| 2024-09 | $4.00/bu | $3.97/bu |
| 2024-10 | $4.08/bu | $3.99/bu |
| 2024-11 | $4.28/bu | $4.07/bu |
| 2024-12 | $4.42/bu | $4.23/bu |
| 2025-01 | $4.71/bu | $4.29/bu |
| 2025-02 | $4.87/bu | $4.58/bu |
| 2025-03 | $4.78/bu | $4.57/bu |
| 2025-04 | $4.85/bu | $4.62/bu |
| 2025-05 | $4.90/bu | $4.64/bu |
| 2025-06 | $4.75/bu | $4.47/bu |
| 2025-07 | $4.78/bu | $4.29/bu |
| 2025-08 | $4.51/bu | $3.96/bu |
| 2025-09 | $4.36/bu | $4.00/bu |
| 2025-10 | $4.42/bu | $3.93/bu |
| 2025-11 | $4.46/bu | $3.98/bu |
| 2025-12 | $4.54/bu | $4.10/bu |
| 2026-01 | $4.55/bu | $4.12/bu |
| 2026-02 | $4.68/bu | $4.12/bu |
| 2026-03 | $4.79/bu | $4.27/bu |
| 2026-04 | $4.78/bu | $4.31/bu |
| 2026-05 | $4.90/bu | $4.48/bu |
| 2026-06 | $4.88/bu | $4.28/bu |
| 2026-07 | $4.80/bu | $4.26/bu |
| 2026-08 | $4.81/bu | $4.45/bu |
How Kentucky compares
Top Corn-producing states, August 2026 price
| State | Price | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $5.53/bu | +24.3% |
| Colorado | $5.16/bu | +16% |
| Pennsylvania | $5.09/bu | +14.4% |
| Tennessee | $4.9/bu | +10.1% |
| Indiana | $4.86/bu | +9.2% |
| Texas | $4.83/bu | +8.5% |
| Ohio | $4.82/bu | +8.3% |
| Kentucky | $4.81/bu | +8.1% |
What this price means for Kentucky Corn farmers
Kentucky corn prices reached $4.81 per bushel in August 2026, sitting $0.36 above the national average of $4.45 per bushel for the same month. That premium over the US figure is largely a function of state-level basis conditions — local elevator competition, proximity to end users, and regional transport dynamics — rather than any inherent difference in crop quality. Looking at the broader marketing-year-average, Kentucky's current MYA stands at $4.55 per bushel, unchanged from the prior year's finalized figure of $4.55 per bushel, signaling a remarkably stable price environment year over year. Monthly prices over the past six months have traded in a fairly tight range between $4.78 and $4.90, suggesting no dramatic seasonal shock has moved the market in either direction.
For marketing and selling decisions, it is important not to anchor too heavily on any single monthly print like August's $4.81 figure when evaluating whether to lock in a forward contract. A monthly spot price can reflect short-term basis moves, harvest-period logistics, or temporary demand from nearby processors, none of which captures the full arc of a crop year. The marketing-year-average of $4.55 per bushel is the more reliable benchmark for annual revenue planning, because it smooths out those month-to-month swings and reflects what grain actually returned across an entire marketing cycle. Farmers considering forward contracts should compare offered prices against the MYA trend rather than a single month's high, using the monthly data as a signal of directional basis movement rather than a budget anchor.
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Frequently asked questions — Kentucky Corn price
Why is Kentucky's August 2026 corn price of $4.81/bushel higher than the US average of $4.45/bushel?
Kentucky corn trades at a $0.36/bushel premium over the national average in August 2026, a difference known as the state basis, which reflects local supply-and-demand conditions including proximity to southeastern livestock feed markets, regional ethanol demand, and transportation costs to river export terminals. Farmers and agronomists should monitor this basis spread when comparing Kentucky bids to national benchmarks, as a consistently positive basis can indicate stronger local demand or tighter in-state supply. Understanding this differential helps producers decide whether to sell locally or explore alternative marketing channels.
What is the difference between Kentucky's August 2026 monthly corn price of $4.81/bushel and the marketing-year-average price of $4.55/bushel?
The August 2026 monthly price of $4.81/bushel represents USDA's estimated average price received by Kentucky farmers for that single calendar month, while the marketing-year-average (MYA) of $4.55/bushel is a weighted average across the full September 2025 through August 2026 crop marketing year. The MYA is the figure used in USDA crop insurance revenue calculations and in ARC-CO program payment determinations, making it the more relevant benchmark for policy and loan purposes. A monthly price above the MYA, as seen here, indicates that corn prices strengthened toward the end of the marketing year.
How frequently does USDA update Kentucky corn price data, and where does this data originate?
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) publishes state-level corn prices monthly as part of the Agricultural Prices report, typically released on the last business day of each month. These prices are collected through surveys of Kentucky grain handlers, elevators, and producers, making them a reliable reflection of actual transaction prices in the state rather than futures-derived estimates. Farmers should note that early-season monthly estimates can be revised in subsequent releases as more survey responses are received.
How can I use Kentucky's corn price data alongside county yield estimates to project my farm revenue?
To estimate gross revenue per acre, multiply your expected or actual corn yield in bushels per acre by the relevant price: use the monthly price of $4.81/bushel for spot-sale revenue projections or the MYA of $4.55/bushel when benchmarking against crop insurance guarantee levels or ARC-CO reference revenues. For example, a Kentucky yield of 175 bu/acre at the August 2026 price produces an estimated $841.75 per acre in gross revenue, while the same yield at the MYA generates $796.25 per acre. Pairing USDA county-level yield data with these price figures gives agronomists a straightforward tool for comparing realized returns against production costs and forward contract decisions.