USDA Predicts Record Corn and Soybean Yields

Record yields may spread far and wide and won’t be limited to just corn or soybeans. The USDA predicted that both commodities could see harvests like never before. How widespread are these projected yields?

States where USDA predicts the highest corn yield ever:

• Idaho

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Iowa

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• South Carolina

• South Dakota

• Tennessee

• Virginia

• Wisconsin

That equals record production for 11 states. But that falls one short of the states that the USDA predicts could top records for soybean production.

• Arkansas

• Delaware

• Georgia

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Iowa

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Mississippi

• Missouri

• North Carolina

• Virginia

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Virginia were the only states projected to see record yields in both corn and soybeans.

Record Corn Yield Projected by USDA

The predictions for the record corn yield have risen since last month, according to the USDA. In July the USDA forecast 181 bushels per acre. But August’s forecast added 7.8 bushels per acre to that total.

The 2023/24 cycle holds the record for corn production with 15.3 billion bushels. But the USDA in its August projection forecast a record 16.7 billion bushels.  

The surprise record yield projections followed producers’ decision to plant more corn that some analysts anticipated. Corn futures fell hard after the USDA adjusted its projections from July, which inflated the anticipated supply.

The weather treated producers better, too, which also contributed to the more optimistic corn yield projects.

RELATED: American Farmland Owner looked at the spring 2024 projections, which looked different than the latest 2025 predictions.

USDA’s Record Soybean Yield Prediction

The USDA’s soybean yield projections still would lead to another record, despite those projections coming in lower than last month. Those figures represent an adjustment that includes some farmers’ decisions to plant more corn rather than beans.

Overall, the USDA forecast expects soybean production of 4.3 billion bushels, which is down 43 million. The forecast bumped up expected yield, which essentially hid some of the predictions that called for a 2.4-million-acre harvest reduction compared to a previous estimate in July.

The expected yield went up 1.1 bushels per acre compared to July. However, soybean exports continue to be a drag. As July was coming to a close, it showed soybean exports at a 20-year low. China could be the biggest factor.

The volume indicated a drop of 12% since 2024. “China’s appetite for soybeans is likely to weaken during the peak U.S. marketing season later this year, as record imports earlier in 2025 and tepid demand from animal feed producers have pushed up soymeal inventories at home, trade sources said,” Reuters reported. 

One thing to watch could be whether China prefers soymeal from Argentina as it continues to deal with President Donald Trump’s global trade war. That could further depress U.S. export demand.

RELATED: This YouTuber explained to American Farmland Owner why he shares his farm life of corn and beans.