USDA Sees Less Corn, More Beans
Published: Friday, September 18, 2026
U.S. corn production is forecast at 15.8 billion bushels in 2026, down from 17.02 billion bushels produced in 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's September Crop Production report.
The decline comes as farmers planted fewer acres and harvested less corn for grain nationwide. The USDA estimates 96.78 million acres of corn were planted for all purposes in 2026, down from 98.79 million acres in 2025. Harvested acreage for grain is forecast at 88.51 million acres, compared with 91.26 million acres last year.
Indiana is expected to produce 1.03 billion bushels of corn in 2026, down from 1.07 billion bushels in 2025. The state's corn acreage also declined, with 5.3 million acres planted this year compared with 5.4 million in 2025. Harvested acreage for grain is forecast at 5.16 million acres, down from 5.23 million acres.
Indiana's projected yield of 200 bushels per acre is below the state's 2025 yield of 204 bushels per acre, contributing to the lower production forecast.
Michigan's corn production is forecast at 337.4 million bushels in 2026, down from 352.4 million bushels last year. Farmers planted an estimated 2.3 million acres, down from 2.35 million acres in 2025, while grain-harvested acreage is forecast at 1.95 million acres.
Michigan's projected yield of 173 bushels per acre is lower than the 178-bushel yield recorded in 2025.
Nationally, the 2026 corn yield is forecast at 178.5 bushels per acre, down from 186.5 bushels in 2025. The USDA's September estimates are forecasts and may be revised as the growing and harvest seasons progress.
Meanwhile, U.S. soybean production is forecast at 4.53 billion bushels in 2026, up from 4.26 billion bushels produced in 2025, according to the September Crop Production report.
The increase comes as farmers planted substantially more soybeans nationwide and are expected to harvest more acres. U.S. soybean planted acreage is estimated at 86.87 million acres in 2026, up from 81.22 million acres in 2025. Harvested acreage for beans is forecast at 85.88 million acres, compared with 80.44 million acres last year.
The national soybean yield is forecast at 52.8 bushels per acre in 2026, slightly below the 53-bushel yield recorded in 2025. The larger harvested area is expected to more than offset the small decline in yield.
Indiana farmers planted an estimated 5.65 million acres of soybeans in 2026, up from 5.45 million acres last year. Harvested acreage is forecast at 5.63 million acres, compared with 5.43 million in 2025.
Indiana soybean production is forecast at 354.7 million bushels, an increase from 323.1 million bushels in 2025. The state's projected yield of 63 bushels per acre is higher than the 59.5 bushels recorded last year.
Michigan also increased soybean acreage. Farmers planted an estimated 2.2 million acres in 2026, compared with 2.08 million acres in 2025. Harvested acreage is forecast at 2.19 million acres, up from 2.07 million.
Michigan soybean production is forecast at 105.1 million bushels, compared with 100.4 million bushels in 2025. The state's projected yield of 48 bushels per acre is slightly below last year's 48.5 bushels.
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