Several weeks of slowdowns at wheat processing facilities caused by COVID-19 have led to backlogs just ahead of harvest in the Eastern Corn Belt.

Grain marketer Angie Setzer with Michigan-based Citizens Grain tells Brownfield wheat mills are still working their way through old-crop supplies which is limiting open bin space.

“The lack of carry in the market is also making the elevator not be overly competitive so we’ve actually seen the lowest basis levels here going into harvest that I have seen in recent memory, probably since 2011.”

She says wheat grind halted following a slowdown from restaurant demand as well as a lack of containers and it could logistically drag on the market until early fall.

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