Aug 20, 2026
U.S. Soy Yield Lowered 0.5 bu. to 51.5 bu/ac, Storms Cause Damage
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
The 2026 U.S. soybean yield was lowered 0.5 bushels this week to 51.5 bu/ac with a neutral to lower bias. Soybeans are now rated 61% good/excellent, down 1% from last week.
As mentioned in the corn comments, the weather last week was extreme from Iowa to Ohio with tornadoes, high straight-line winds, drenching rains, and flooding. Soybeans impacted by standing water and saturated soils are going to have a reduced yield potential due to increased disease pressure, potentially moldy seed, and even plant death. We will not know the complete extent of the damage until the crop is harvested.
In contrast to the saturated areas of the central and eastern Corn Belt, previously dry areas in the western Corn Belt received some much-needed rain this past week. Even in the eastern Corn Belt, if the rainfall was not excessive, several inches of rain in mid-August is beneficial for yields. So, the question is, does the good outweigh the bad, or vice versa.
August Crop Report - The August Crop Report increased the soybean harvested acreage 1.4 million acres to 85.78 million acres while the nationwide yield was lowered 0.3 bushels to 52.7 bu/ac. The planted and harvested acreage increased more than expected due to a reduction in other crops and probably less prevent plant acres compared to average. For the time being, I am going to use the USDA's harvested acreage, but that number may be trimmed in the future, once the extent of the storm damage is determined.
The USDA's soybean estimate of 52.7 bu/ac was close to my estimate of 52.0 bu/ac. I lowered the U.S. soybean yield this week to 51.5 bu/ac with a neutral bias.