Record U.S. corn yield rises to 188 bushels per acre

WASHINGTON — The nation’s corn growers are projected to produce record highs in average yield and total production, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s first survey-based forecasts this growing season.

Based on surveys by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the U.S. average corn yield, based on Aug. 1 conditions, is projected at a record 188.8 bushels per acre, up 9.5 bushels from last year’s final estimate.

U.S. corn production for grain is forecast at 16.7 million bushels — which, if realized, would be the highest total production for grain on record.

Area harvested for grain is estimated at 88.7 million acres, 2% higher than the July forecast and 7% up from last year.

NASS also projects a record yield for the nation’s soybeans, averaging 53.6 bushels per acre, up 2.9 bushels from 2024. U.S. soybean production is estimated at 4.29 billion bushels, 2% lower than last year.

Harvested soybean acres is forecast at 80.1 million, down 3% from the July forecast and 7% lower than last year.

All wheat production for grain in the nation is forecast at 1.93 billion bushels, down slightly from the previous forecast and down 2% from 2024.

Based on Aug.1 conditions, all wheat yields are expected to average 52.7 bushels per harvested acre, up 0.1 bushel from the previous forecast and 1.5 bushels higher than last year.

Area harvested for grain is forecast at 36.6 million acres, down less than 1% from the previous forecast and 5% lower than last year.

Growers are expected to produce 1.36 billion bushels of winter wheat this year, up 1% from the previous forecast and less than 1% above last year.

Based on Aug. 1 crop conditions, NASS is projecting record statewide average corn yields in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa and record soybean averages in Illinois and Indiana.

Corn

The NASS survey estimates Illinois corn to average 221 bushels per acre, 4 bushels above 2024, across 10.8 million harvested acres, resulting in production of nearly 2.387 billion bushels.

The state harvested 10.65 million acres of corn last year, producing over 2.311 billion bushels. Indiana’s corn is anticipated to average 205 bushels per acre, 7 better than last year.

Harvested for grain acres is projected at 5.15 million acres and production is tabbed at nearly 1.056 billion bushels. Indiana produced 999.9 million bushels last year from 5.05 million harvested acres for grain.

Iowa’s average corn yield is estimated at 222 bushels per acre, 11 above 2024. The state’s area harvested for grain is projected to be 12.95 million bushels and production of 2.875 billion bushels.

Last year, the state harvested 12.45 million corn acres, producing nearly 2.627 billion bushels.

Soybeans

On the soybean side, NASS estimates an average Illinois record yield of 65 bushels per acre, 1 higher than last year, harvested from 10.25 million acres.

Total production is anticipated to be 666.25 million bushels. Last year, Illinois had 10.75 million harvested acres, producing 688 million bushels.

Indiana soybeans are projected an average record high 62 bushels per acre, 3 above the 2024 average.

The state’s 5.38 million harvested acres are estimated to produce 333.56 million bushels. Indiana produced 341.02 million bushels last year from 5.78 million harvested acres.

NASS estimates Iowa soybeans to average 63 bushels per acre, 3 above last year, from 9.33 million harvested acres.

Iowa had 9.96 million harvested soybean acres in 2024 resulting in the production of 597.6 million bushels.

Wheat

Illinois’ winter wheat yield is unchanged from the July estimate at 87 bushels per acre, 1 higher than last year.

The 680,000 harvested acres are expected to product 59.16 million bushels, compared to 60.2 million produced last year from 700,000 acres.

USDA increased Indiana’s average yield estimate by a bushel from last month to 87 bushels per acre, 2 below 2024, across 235,000 harvested acres projected to produce 20.445 million bushels.

The state harvested 240,000 winter wheat acres last year, producing 21.36 million bushels.

Special Note

The Aug. 12 crop production report opened with a note stating: “NASS reviewed planted and harvested acreage estimates in this report for barley, corn, cotton, dry edible beans, oats, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets and wheat — winter, other spring and durum — using all available data, including the latest certified acreage from the Farm Service Agency. All states in the estimating program for these crops were subject to review and updating.”

Survey Procedures

NASS interviewed approximately 14,900 producers across the country in preparation for this report. The farm operator survey was conducted primarily by telephone with some use of mail, internet and personal interviews.

NASS is now gearing up to conduct its September Agricultural Survey, which will collect final acreage, yield and production information for wheat, barley, oats and rye, as well as grains and oilseeds stored on farms across the nation.

That survey will take place during the first two weeks of September.