Apr 07, 2026
2026 U.S. Prospective Planting Report
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Corn - The Prospective Planting Report issued on March 31st indicated that U.S. farmers would plant 95.33 million acres of corn in 2026, down 3% or 3.45 million acres from last year. With the conflict in the Middle East resulting in fertilizer shortages and soaring prices, it is possible that U.S. farmers may trim their intended corn acreage slightly and plant soybeans instead, but that would also depend on spring planting conditions.
The high prices for fertilizers may also encourage farmers to trim their fertilizer application rates to hold down costs. If that does occur, it could have a negative impact on nationwide corn yields. In 2025, the nationwide corn yield was 186.5 bu/ac, but if farmers trim their fertilizer applications, a yield in the range of 180.0 bu/ac might be more likely. If the weather during the growing season is beneficial, any yield decline might be more modest. Conversely, problematic weather could result in more significant yield declines.
Soybeans - The Prospective Planting Report issued on March 31st indicated that U.S. farmers would plant 84.70 million acres of corn in 2026, up 4% from last year or 3.5 million acres. The eventual soybean acreage may move a little higher depending on what happens with the corn acreage.
The fertilizer situation may not impact soybean production as much as corn. If farmers trim their fertilizer application for soybeans, the yields may or may not be impacted depending on the weather during the growing season. In 2025, the nationwide soybean yield was 53.0 bu/ac, but if farmers trim their fertilizer applications, a yield in the range of 51 to 52 bu/ac might be more likely, but also that would depend on the weather during the growing season.