August Crop Progress Report
Author
Published
8/14/2026
Corn
The USDA reported a corn yield of 180.7 bushels per acre (bu/ac) in their August report, a 3.1% decrease from 2025 (Figure 1). Iowa boasts the largest corn crop, increasing by 2.9% to 216 bu/ac. Illinois is expected to have the second largest corn crop this year despite yield per acre falling 0.9% to 206 bu/ac. Nebraska’s yield is down 5.7% to 183 bu/ac. Minnesota’s estimated yield decreased by 2.0% to 197 bu/ac.
Iowa’s corn crop is progressing nicely, with 97% of the crops having reached the silking stage and 69% reaching the dough stage. About 78% of the state’s corn is rated as good to excellent.

Figure 1. August 2025 Corn Yield, Bushels and Percent Change from Previous Year
Soybeans
The August estimated US soybean yield decreased by 0.6% to 52.7 bu/ac (Figure 2). Iowa’s soybean yield fell by 2.4% to 62 bu/ac. Illinois has the largest yield at 67 bu/ac, an increase of 7.2% from 2025. Soybean yields decreased by 13.0% in Nebraska, 12.8% in South Dakota, and 8.6%. Yields increased by 4.2% in Indiana and remain unchanged at 50 bu/ac in Missouri.
Over 77% of Iowa’s soybean crop is rated as good to excellent, with 93% blooming and 7% setting pods, which is two days ahead of last year but three days behind the five-year average.

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