Corn acres down from 2025 numbers, soybean acreage up

By Doug Tenney, Leist Mercantile

Today, USDA provided two major reports. First, the U.S. Acreage Report of crops planted for 2026. Corn, soybean, and wheat acres were detailed in that report. Second is the Quarterly Grain Stocks Report as of June 1.

Grain prices after the report had corn up 3 cents, soybeans up 4 cents, and wheat up 8 cents. Just before the reports were released, corn was down 2 cents, soybeans down 9 cents, and wheat down 3 cents.

Many expected both corn and soybean acres to increase in the Prospective Plantings Report on March 31. That report estimated 2026 U.S. corn acres at 95.3 million and soybeans at 84.7 million. That potential increase is the result of favorable planting weather across much of the Corn Belt in April.

Others thought the total corn and soybean acres would be less than 180 million. It was 180.7 million acres. Last year the total reached 180.003 million acres.

Here are the acre numbers: Corn 95.3 million acres. The average trade estimate was 94.992 million acres; last year 98.788 million acres. Soybeans 85.4 million acres. The average trade estimate was 85.369 million acres. Last year, 81.215 million acres. Wheat 42.7 million acres. The average trade estimate was 43.858 million acres. Last year, 45.328 million acres.

Grain stocks as of June 1: Corn 5.29 billion bushels. The average trade estimate was 5.408 billion bushels. Last year, 4.643 billion bushels. Soybeans 1.06 billion bushels, and last year was 1.008 billion bushels.

Looking ahead, the September 30 Quarterly Grain Stocks Report will be released in just three months. Traders will be anxious for that report to be released, as it will provide much insight into the US corn yield for 2025. On January 12, many thought the 186.5 bushels per acre yield was too high. Was USDA too high or too low with their yield calculations on January 12? The marketing year for both corn and soybeans ends on August 30.

June has been brutal for grain prices, with excellent growing weather across the U.S. Corn Belt and a lack of a demand price driver. This past week, the United States made new-crop soybean sales to unknown destinations; the assumption is that they went to China. The commodity funds are short grains, adding great length to those numbers beginning mid-May.

In the past, July 4th has been a critical time for grain prices. It now appears that the time for price concerns is now moving backward into the Memorial Day weekend.  

Last night, December 2026 CBOT corn closed at $4.30, compared with $4.75 on May 29 and $4.94 on April 30. Last night, November 2026 CBOT soybeans closed at $11.39. It compares to a price of $11.90 on May 29 and $11.73 on April 30.

A recent University of Illinois Farm Doc article compares the profitability of corn and soybeans per acre since 2000. It states that during 2013-2025, soybeans generated higher profits than corn. Take a look at the article for more details.

Funds were active sellers in the grains yesterday. The Corn Belt is currently experiencing a “dome of heat” from today into Sunday, with temperatures in Ohio reaching the 90s. Other Corn Belt locations could see daily highs reaching just above 100 degrees in the days ahead. Cooling will follow over the next several days after Sunday, with highs still in the mid-80s.

Look for U.S. corn acres to be pollinating in the next three weeks. Weather will be a “hot” feature during that time, pun intended.