USDA Reports Shift in U.S. Crop Planting: Corn Declines, Soybeans Increase for 2026
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service has released its Prospective Plantings report for 2026, indicating a shift in U.S. crop planting trends. Farmers plan to plant 95.3 million acres of corn, a 3% decrease from 2025, with significant reductions in key Corn Belt states such as Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. Conversely, soybean planting is expected to rise by 4% to 84.7 million acres, with notable increases in states like Arkansas and Wisconsin. This shift reflects changing profitability and input cost considerations. Additionally, wheat acreage is projected to decline by 3%, while cotton planting is set to increase by 4%. The report also highlights an 11% increase in corn stocks and a 10% rise in soybean stocks as of March 1. 
