So far, favorable South American weather forecasts support estimates of increased crop production in Brazil and Argentina. As a result, some analysts are betting on bigger U.S. ending stocks. For example, International FC Stone of Kansas City estimates January ending stocks of U.S. corn at 2.494 billion bushels if South America benefits from favorable weather for the safrinha corn crop. That's according to Arlan Suderman, the firm’s chief commodities economist.