Drought and High Prices Plunge Kansas Corn Production by 39 Million Bushels

Kansas corn production is expected to take a significant hit in 2026, according to a recent USDA report. The state's corn crop will reportedly be down by 39 million bushels, a drop that could be attributed to the ongoing drought affecting some areas of Kansas.

Derek Belton, chair of the Kansas Corn Commission and owner of Derek Belton Farms Corn in Tampa, said the drought is a major factor behind the projected decline. His own farm was affected by dry weather, which caused his crops to dry up faster than usual.

Beyond the drought, higher input prices resulting from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during planting season also contributed to farmers' struggles with tight margins and high costs.