Corn Profit Resilience Varies Widely Across US States

The Corn Economic Resilience Index measures the pressure on corn profits in each state by combining six factors, including cost per bushel and revenue per acre. The index shows that some states are better equipped to handle a tough season than others.

Indiana leads with a score of 67.0, followed closely by Illinois at 65.5 and Iowa at 64.8. These three states have the highest overall scores, thanks in part to relatively low operating costs and high revenue per acre.

The bottom 10 states, however, face significant pressure on their profits. South Carolina ranks last with a score of 26.5, followed by Alabama and North Carolina. These states have higher operating costs, lower revenue, and more volatile yields, making them less resilient to drought and other production risks.

The index highlights the importance of not just looking at weather exposure but also the economic stability of each state's corn industry.