News

USDA surprises with corn crop guess, also ups soybeans

The USDA has increased its expectations for 2026 U.S. corn and soybean production.

Corn is now seen at 16.034 billion bushels, potentially the second largest on record and up 1% from September on a higher average yield guess, now at 181.2 bushels per acre on harvested area of 88.506 million acres, but that would be down 5% from the 2025 all-time high.

In 2025, U.S. corn production was 16.934 billion bushels with an average yield of 186.5 bushels per acre on harvested area of 90.948 million acres.

Soybeans are pegged at 4.562 billion bushels, which would be the biggest crop in U.S. history, 1% more than last month and 7% above last year, with USDA expecting a record yield of 53.1 bushels per acre on harvested area on 85.881 million acres.

A year ago, soybean production was 4.261 billion bushels with an average yield of 53 bushels per acre on harvested area of 80.417 million acres.

The production numbers for both crops were at the high end of pre-report estimates and contributed to higher ending stocks projections.

However, these numbers remain in flux as harvest catches up to average and moves forward.

The USDA’s next round of supply, demand, and production numbers is out November 10^th.