Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) commodity loans on collected corn, soybeans and wheat were routinely used by farm operators in the 1990s and early 2000s, along with from 2015 to 2019, as a grain marketing tool. Making use of CCC commodity loans dropped off considerably from 2008-2014 and once again from 2020-2023 when grain rates reached their greatest levels in several years. As farmers prepare for the 2025 harvest season, using marketing help loans (MALs), which are the very same as the previous CCC product loans, has actually taken on more significance as an alternative in establishing post-harvest grain marketing plans for corn and soybeans.

The CCC product loans (MALs) are stemmed through county Farm Service Agency workplaces after the grain has been collected and are 9-month loans from the time of origination. A marketing help loan can be developed both on farm-stored grain and on grain in industrial storage with a storage facility receipt. Producers receive the value of the loan at the time the CCC loan is established. The loan can be paid back at any time during the 9-month loan duration, by repaying the amount of the loan principal plus the accrued interest.

The 2018 Farm Bill established nationwide loan rates for the numerous products that are qualified for the marketing help loans