Combined corn, soybean planted acres set record

WASHINGTON — The nation’s second-highest average soybean yield and the second-highest corn production for grain on record were projected in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Aug. 12 crop production report.

Data from the season’s first survey-based corn and yield forecasts, combined with Farm Service Agency-certified acres, Risk Management Agency-insured acres and satellite imagery were tabulated for report.

The USDA reported farmers planted a record amount of corn and soybeans this year, with a combined planted acreage of the two crops reaching 183.5 million acres, more than 3 million acres higher than the previous combined crop record.

U.S. Soybeans

According to surveys by USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, based on Aug. 1 conditions, the forecasted soybean yield, at 52.7 bushels per acre, is down 0.3 bushel from last year’s final estimate of 53 bushels per acre.

NASS estimates the total soybean planted area of 86.8 million acres, 2% higher than the July estimate and 7% above 2025. Acreage harvested for soybeans is forecast at 85.8 million acres, also 2% above last month and 7% higher than last year.

The nation’s soybean producers are projected to harvest 4.52 billion bushels, up 6% from 2025.

U.S. Corn

The U.S. national corn yield is estimated to average 180.7 bushels per acre, 5.8 bushels below last year’s record high of 186.5, based on Aug. 1 conditions.

Total planted area, at 96.7 million acres, is up 1% from the previous estimate, but down 2% from 2025. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 88.6 million acres, 1% higher than the July projection and 3% lower than 2025.

Corn production for grain is forecast at 16 billion bushels, 6% below last year.

U.S. Wheat

All wheat production for grain is forecast at 1.53 billion bushels, down less than 1% from the July forecast and 23% less than in 2025.

The average all wheat yield is expected to be 47.8 bushels per acre, 0.1 bushel lower than the previous forecast and 5.5 bushels below 2025.

The nation’s winter wheat production is forecast at 990 million bushels, down slightly from the July 1 forecast and 29% less than last year. The average yield is forecast at 47 bushels per acre, up 0.3 bushel from last month, but 7.9 bushels below 2025.

‘I’ State Soybeans

NASS estimates Illinois soybeans to average 67 bushels per acre, 4.5 above last year, across 10.43 million harvested acres, producing 698.81 million bushels. The state produced 639.375 million bushels last year from 10.23 million acres.

Indiana is projected to have a statewide average of 62 bushels per acre, 2.5 higher than 2025, from 5.63 million acres for a total production of 349.06 million bushels. Last year, Indiana had 5.43 million harvested acres, producing 323.085 million bushels.

Iowa soybeans are anticipated to average 62 bushels per acre, 1.5 lower than a year ago, with harvested acres of 9.73 million, resulting in a total production of 603.26 million bushels. The state had 9.38 million harvest acres in 2025, producing 595.63 million bushels.

‘I’ State Corn

Illinois corn is projected to average 212 bushels per acre, 2 less than last year, across 10.95 million acres, for a total production of just over 2.321 billion bushels. The Prairie State harvested 2.354 billion bushels a year ago from 11 million acres.

NASS estimates Indiana’s average yield at a record high 206 bushels per acre, 2 above 2025, from 5.16 million acres, resulting in nearly 1.063 billion bushels. Indiana produced nearly 1.067 billion bushels last year across 5.23 million acres.

This first look via survey projects a record average yield in Iowa of 216 bushels per acre, 6 better than last year, with 12.8 million harvested acres and production of 2.765 billion bushels. Iowa hauled in 2.772 billion bushels a year ago from 13.2 million acres.

‘I’ State Wheat

The survey found Illinois’ winter wheat to average 88 bushels per acre, unchanged from the July estimate and matching the record set last year, producing 53.68 million bushels across 610,000 acres. Illinois had 700,000 harvested winter wheat acres in 2025 and production of 61.6 million bushels.

Indiana’s winter wheat is projected to average 80 bushels per acre, a 5-bushel decline from the July estimate and 9 lower than last year’s record. The 225,000 harvested acres are anticipated to produce 18 million bushels. The state produced 21.36 million bushels a year ago from 240,000 harvested acres.

Survey Procedures

Objective yield and farm operator surveys were conducted between July 25 and Aug. 5 to gather information on expected yields as of Aug 1.

Farm operators selected for the objective yield survey were interviewed to update previously reported acreage data and seek permission to randomly locate two sample plots in selected fields for the objective yield survey.

The farm operator survey was conducted primarily by telephone with some use of mail, internet and personal interviews.

Approximately 14,500 producers were interviewed during the survey period and asked questions about probable yield. These growers will continue to be surveyed throughout the growing season to provide indications of average yields.