The latest Prospective Plantings report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that corn acreage across the country in 2026 will drop 3 percent compared with last year. The news arrives as corn futures pull back from 10-month highs amid pressures from the ethanol market, crude oil prices, Chinese demand, and climate concerns.
That leaves 95.3 million acres of corn projected for 2026, according to growers surveyed by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The intended acreage is down in 37 of the 48 estimating states, with some of the biggest changes (down at least 300,000 acres) expected to be seen in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. If the intended acreage is realized, the area of corn planted in Nevada and Washington will be the largest on record, while Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island will be the smallest on record.
Conversely, soybean growers have said they intend to plant 84.7 million acres in 2026, which is an increase of 4 percent compared with last year. Acreage increases of 300,000 or more are expected in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Record high acreage is expected in Wisconsin.
The Prospective Plantings report, which came out today, provides the first official, survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ 2026 planting intentions. NASS acreage estimates are based on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of March from a sample of nearly 74,000 farm operators across the nation.
The findings from the report included wheat, which showed:
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All wheat planted area for 2026 is estimated at 43.8 million acres, down 3% from 2025.
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Winter wheat planted area, at 32.4 million acres, is down 2% from both the previous estimate and from last year.
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Area planted to other spring wheat for 2026 is expected to total 9.42 million acres, down 6% from 2025.
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Durum wheat planted is expected to total 1.95 million acres for 2026, down 11% from last year.
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All cotton planted area for 2026 is expected to total 9.64 million acres, up 4% compared to last year.
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