WOODSTOCK, Ill. (RFD News) — Allendale projects a smaller 2026 U.S. corn crop than USDA’s August estimate, while its soybean outlook is nearly unchanged. Chief Strategist Rich Nelson says the firm’s nationwide producer survey points to 15.833 billion bushels of corn and 4.515 billion bushels of soybeans.
Allendale estimates the national corn yield at 178.7 bushels per acre, two bushels below USDA’s August estimate. Its soybean yield is 52.6 bushels per acre, just one-tenth below the USDA estimate.
Regional weakness in corn was concentrated in parts of the western Corn Belt. South Dakota, Kansas and Nebraska came in below last year, while Illinois and Indiana also trailed USDA’s August expectations.
Soybean results were more mixed. Kansas and South Dakota posted sharp year-over-year declines, while Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio showed gains. The survey covered producers in 25 states, with direct yield projections developed for 12 states.
Producer marketing also accelerated for new crop corn and soybeans. Respondents reported 29% of new-crop corn and 32% of new-crop soybeans sold, nearly double last year’s pace.
USDA will release its latest estimates on Friday, September 11, in the monthly WASDE and Crop Production updates.
