Pro Farmer Projects Smaller US Corn Crop for 2026

The annual Pro Farmer crop tour concluded on August 21, 2026, projecting a national corn yield of 173.2 bushels per acre and total production of 15.344 billion bushels. This forecast is approximately 5% lower than the record harvest of 2025 and marks the first time in three growing seasons that the organization has not projected a record yield.

Approximately 100 participants scouted over 1,500 fields across seven states, including Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, and South Dakota. While eastern Iowa and Minnesota showed bountiful crops, western regions suffered from drought, heat, and pollination stress. Pro Farmer economist Lane Akre noted that drought in western Iowa limited the state's ability to offset weather-related losses in Illinois and Indiana.

In contrast, soybean prospects remain positive, with a projected national average yield of 53.3 bushels per acre and total production of 4.57 billion bushels, slightly exceeding 2025 levels. Despite the overall outlook, agricultural economists warned that farmers face significant financial pressure due to high fertilizer and fuel costs linked to the Iran war, making near-record yields essential for profitability.