URBANA, Ill. – Up-to-date premium prices paid for specialty crops such as food grade non-GMO and organic corn, soybeans and wheat – along with the challenges associated with growing them – was the topic of a June 5 University of Illinois farmdoc panel discussion. Joining farmdoc economists Nick Paulson and Gary Schnitkey for the panel discussion, available to view on demand via the farmdoc website, was Kelsey Graber, a specialty grain buyer for Clarkson Grain in Piatt County, Ill.

The discussion began with Paulson acknowledging increased interest from producers in growing organic, food grade and non-GMO crops – which he referred to as specialty crops – since the downturn in commodity prices for traditional row crops began in 2023. Of those attending the online forum hosted by WILL-AG FM farm broadcaster Todd Gleason, 27 percent were planning on growing specialty crops during the coming year. Another 27 percent were considering growing specialty crops, 27 percent wanted more information, and the remaining 19 percent had never considered planting premium market crops.

“I don’t think any farmers are necessarily wanting to completely abandon conventional corn and beans, but I think the economic conditions we’ve been facing since the 2023 crop year have just raised interest in creating some differentiation,” Paulson said. “Conventional spot pricing in Illinois shows corn at around $4.25 per bushel versus white corn, one of the easier (specialty) markets to dip your toe in, at $1 to $2 more. Premiums right now in general are quite high for a lot of these specialty market opportunities.”

Over the past few months, spot-price premiums have increased to $7 to $9 per bushel for organically grown corn, while organic soybean premiums have nearly doubled in value over traditional GMO beans currently selling for $11 to $11.50 per bushel. “Organics, of course, are tougher to get into,” Paulson said, “but there is also some lower-hanging fruit that comes with lower premiums.”

With a corn plant in Cerro Gordo and soybean plant in Mattoon, Clarkson Grain focuses on purchasing non-GMO and organic corn and soybeans from central Illinois farmers. Graber, who began working in the grain marketing industry with ADM around 15 years ago before becoming a specialty grains purchaser for Clarkson, said food companies are becoming more selective about what ingredients are put into their products.

“A lot of our corn stays here domestically and goes into tortillas and distilling, and a lot of our soybeans go to Japan and southeast Asia to go into tofu and soy milk and soy sauce,” Graber said, before offering tips on what premium specialty crops are best for producers to grow when just starting out.

“I would (recommend) starting with a non-GMO corn or soybean, so just buying non-GMO yellow or white corn seed or regular, non-variety-specific soybeans. The good thing about those is the seed is typically cheaper. We have some farmers that will buy non-GMO yellow corn, try and sell us what they can and the rest they take to an ethanol plant. They are still getting a return because they are not paying for a traited seed,” Graber said.

Waxy corn, with a more “flowery” texture that is well-suited for breakfast cereal production, is another premium crop that is easy to grow and does not require the USDA standard three-year startup period for organic crop production. “You don’t have to change a lot of your agronomic practices and premiums are usually around 40 cents to $1 or $2 over the Board of Trade,” Graber said of the crop.

Requiring stricter planting guidelines but providing higher premiums are crops such as identity-preserved corn and soybeans. Clarkson Grain customers require certain hybrids of corn or soybeans based on how they perform in their food. Graber noted that one Clarkson customer demands contracted growers plant identity-preserved Pioneer brand seed due to a taste preference, increasing a farmer’s production costs compared to planting regular non-GMO white corn. 

“I think we handle around 12 different identity-preserved soybean varieties, and they each carry a different premium,” she said, adding that the highest premiums are paid for organic corn and soybeans. “It takes three years to get into transition, but you can grow non-GMO on your way there. There are limitations on what you can use in terms of pesticides and things of that nature, but the premiums are there.”

A glance at how premiums for non-GMO and organic crops in Illinois have increased shows that 2025 harvest prices for organic yellow feed corn in Illinois averaged between $6.50 and $7 per bushel, but producers are now receiving $13 to $15 per bushel due to a less-than-average 2025 domestic harvest and increased demand.

“Going on to soybeans it’s more of the same. Non-GMO soybeans have anywhere from a $1 to $2 premium, and identity-preserved soybeans are up to a $2.50 premium. Feed-grade soybean prices are around $22 per bushel, and organic food-grade soybeans are around $24 to $26 per bushel, delivered central Illinois.”

Yield drag must be considered when growers attempt to estimate how much income specialty acreage can produce, Graber cautioned. Specialty grains buyers such as Clarkson Grain have merchandisers on staff who can expertly advise farmers on what to expect in terms of yield drag, production and earnings associated with specialty crops, she added