Survey indicates increase in soybean acres

WASHINGTON — “I” state farmers shifted to more soybean acres and less corn and winter wheat acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s planted acres survey released June 30.

USDA’s planted acres estimates are based on data provided by survey respondents contacted between May 28 and June 19.

Illinois

The survey indicated 10.7 million soybean planted acres, 400,000 above last year, and a projected 10.63 million harvested acres.

A year-over-year 100,000-acre decline to 11.1 million planted acres of corn is anticipated in the Prairie State, with harvested acres of 10.95 million.

Winter wheat planted acres in Illinois declined from 780,000 in 2025 to 720,000 this year, and harvested acres are estimated at 620,000.

Indiana

Survey respondents indicated 5.6 million soybean acres, compared to 5.45 million in 2025. Harvested acres are anticipated to be 5.58 million acres.

Indiana’s corn planted acres, of 5.35 million, is 50,000 below last year, and USDA put harvested acres at 5.21 million.

The survey found 300,000 winter wheat acres planted, 20,000 lower than a year ago, and projects 230,000 harvested acres.

Iowa

USDA’S survey estimates 10 million soybean acres in Iowa, while last year’s was 9.45 million, and harvested acres of 9.38 million are anticipated.

Iowa farmers said they planted 13 million corn acres, compared to 13.55 million in 2025. Harvested corn acres are projected at 12.55 million.

Nationwide

The 2026 soybean planted area is estimated at 85.4 million acres, up 5% from 2025. Compared with last year, soybean planted acreage is up in 21 of the 29 major producing states.

Area for harvest, forecast at 84.4 million acres, is 5% higher than last year.

Farmers responding to the survey indicated that 8.05 million acres of the estimated U.S. soybean acreage remained to be planted at the time of the interview.

The 2026 U.S. corn planted area for all purposes is estimated at 95.3 million acres, a 3% decline from last year. This represents the fourth highest planted acreage in the nation since 1944.

Corn growers expect to harvest 87.4 million acres for grain, down 4% from last year.

Farmers responding to the survey indicated that 1.9 million acres of the estimated corn acreage remained to be planted at the time of the interview.

The 2026 U.S. winter wheat planted area is estimated at 31.5 million acres, 3% lower than the previous estimate and down 5% from last year.

Of the total planted acreage, approximately 22.4 million acres are hard red winter, 5.54 million acres are soft red winter and 3.55 million acres are white winter.

The nation’s winter wheat area harvested for grain is forecast at 21.2 million acres, down 4% from the previous forecast and 17% lower than last year.

If realized, this would be a record low harvested area. Producers in Indiana, Nebraska, and Virginia are expecting record low harvested areas.

Nationally, 40% of the winter wheat crop was harvested by June 21.

Special Note

“The current estimates for corn and soybean planted acreage are based on survey information collected prior to the completion of planting and are subject to normal survey variability,” the USDA stated to lead off the report.

“Based on 20 years of historical information, the final corn planted acreage estimate has a 90% chance of falling within 2.5% of the current estimate of 95.3 million acres, indicating a likely range of 93 million to 97.7 million acres.

“Similarly, the final soybean planted acreage estimate has a 90% chance of falling within 3% of the current estimate of 85.4 million acres, corresponding to a range of 82.8 million to 87.9 million acres.”

Biotechnology

Ninety-two percent of all corn acres planted in the United States are biotech varieties, 2% lower than last year.

Producers planted 95% of the soybean acreage using biotech varieties, a 1% drop from 2025.

Survey Procedures

The June Agricultural Survey is a probability survey that includes a sample of approximately 90,300 farm operators selected from a list of producers that ensures all operations in the United States have a chance to be selected.

Data from operators was collected by mail, internet, or telephone to obtain information on planted and harvested acreage for the 2026 crop year.