USDA Report Brings Mixed Bag for Farmers Amid Lower Corn Yields
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its September Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) reports, revealing a mixed bag for corn and soybean farmers. The USDA lowered the projected national corn yield by 2.2 bushels per acre, resulting in a total crop production decrease of 213 million bushels.
The corn yield was projected at 178.5 bushels per acre, with production pegged at 15.8 billion bushels. In contrast, soybean production was slightly increased to a record 4.535 billion bushels and the national average yield increased to 52.8 bushels per acre.
The USDA also reported disappointing news for the beef and cattle markets of 2026, with beef production decreased by 90 million pounds due to light fed cattle marketings and cow slaughter speeds.