Corn

USDA raised its U.S. corn yield forecast 2.7 bu/ac from September to 181.2 bu/ac, 2.8% below last year’s 186.5. Production is forecast at 16.03 billion bushels, 5.5% below 2025, with the smaller crop reflecting 2.4 million fewer harvested acres as well as the lower yield (Figure 1). As of October 4, 83% of the crop was mature and 23% was harvested, with 54% rated good to excellent.

Iowa experienced a record high of 219 bu/ac, an 4.3% increase from October 2025. Iowa’s corn yield is increasing by nearly 2.5 bu/ac a year (Figure 2). As of October 4th, 72% of Iowa’s corn crop is considered in good-to-excellent condition.

 

Figure 1. U.S. Corn Yield (Bushels per Acre)

Figure 2. Iowa Corn Yield

The expected yield per acre is down across many midwest and great plain states. Illinois’ corn yield is down 2.8% to 208 bu/ac and Indiana’s corn yield fell 2% to 200 bu/ac. Other notable states include Nebraska’s yield falling 3.1% to 188 bu/ac and Missouri dipping 2.2% to 181 bu/ac. Kentucky and Tennessee are expecting record yields at 193 bu/ac and 189 bu/ac respectively (Figure 3).

Figure 3. October 2026 State Corn Yield, Bushels and Percent Change from 2025

Soybeans

The projected national soybean yield increased marginally by 0.3 bu/ac to 53.1 bu/ac, a 0.2% increase from this time last year. This yield is expected to produce over 4,560 million bushels of soybeans (Figure 4). As of October 4th, 25% of U.S. soybeans are harvested and 57% are reported in good-to-excellent condition.

Iowa’s soybean yield is 63 bu/ac, a decrease of 0.8% from October 2025. Iowa’s soybean yield is growing by nearly 0.7 bu/ac a year (Figure 5). As of October 4th, 70% of Iowa’s soybean crop is considered in good-to-excellent condition.  

Figure 4. U.S. Soybean Yield (Bushels per Acre)

Figure 5. Iowa Soybean Yield

The national soybean yield is 53.1 bu/ac, an increase of 0.2% from last October. Illinois’ soybean yield hit a record high of 68/bu/ac, an increase of 8.8% from last year. Indiana’s soybean yield also is a state record, increasing by 5.9% to 63 bu/ac. Tennessee’s soybean yield has improved by 28.6% to a state record of 54 bu/ac. South Dakota’s soybean yield is down 10.6% to 42 bu/ac and Nebraska’s soybean yield is down 9.9% to 59 bu/ac. Kansas and Oklahoma soybean yields have dropped by 32.0% and 20.7% respectively (Figure 6).

Figure 6. October 2026 Soybean Yield, Bushels and Percent Change from 2025