Michigan soybean production is forecast to increase 9% in 2026, while corn production is expected to decline, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s August Crop Production report.
USDA estimated Michigan soybean harvested acres would increase 5.8% from 2025, with an average yield of 50 bushels per acre, up 3.1% from last year. The combination of increased acreage and higher yields is expected to raise soybean production by 9.1 million bushels to 109.5 million bushels.
Michigan corn harvested for grain was forecast at 1.5% below 2025 levels. Average yield was estimated at 174 bushels per acre, down from 178 bushels per acre last year. Total production was forecast at 339.3 million bushels, a decline of 13.1 million bushels, or 3.7%, from 2025.
Michigan wheat harvested acres were forecast at 9.2% below last year. However, the state's average yield was estimated at 90 bushels per acre. USDA identified Michigan, Illinois and Pennsylvania as states with record-high wheat yields.
Nationally, USDA estimated corn planted acreage at 96.7 million acres, up 1% from its previous estimate but down 2% from 2025. Corn harvested for grain was forecast at 88.6 million acres, up 1% from the previous forecast and down 3% from last year.
Corn production was forecast at 16 billion bushels. If realized, that would be the second-highest production on record. Based on conditions as of Aug. 1, USDA forecast the national average corn yield at 180.7 bushels per acre, down 5.8 bushels from last year's record of 186.5 bushels per acre.
USDA forecast record-high corn yields in Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi and Virginia.
Soybean planted acreage nationwide was forecast at 86.8 million acres, up 2% from the previous estimate and 7% from 2025. Harvested acreage was estimated at 85.8 million acres, up 2% from the previous forecast and 7% from last year.
National soybean production was forecast at 4.52 billion bushels, up 6% from 2025. The average yield was estimated at 52.7 bushels per acre, down 0.3 bushel from last year's final estimate of 53 bushels per acre. If realized, the 2026 yield would be the second-highest on record nationally.
Wheat planted acreage was estimated at 31.3 million acres, down 1% from the previous Acreage report and 6% from 2025. Harvested acreage for grain or seed was forecast at 21 million acres, down 1% from the previous report and 18% from last year.
U.S. wheat production was forecast at 990 million bushels, slightly below the previous estimate and 29% below 2025 production. If realized, production would be the lowest since 1963. USDA forecast the national average wheat yield at 47 bushels per acre, up 0.3 bushel from July but down 7.9 bushels from last year.
Source: Michigan Farm News, "Michigan soybean acres, production shine in USDA 2026 Crop Production estimates"