The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting a smaller corn crop but increased soybean production this year, according to its August Crop Production Report.
USDA forecasts U.S. corn production for grain at 16 billion bushels, down 6% from last year. Despite the decline, the crop would still be the second-largest corn harvest on record if the forecast is realized.
The national average corn yield is projected at 180.7 bushels per acre, nearly six bushels below the 2025 average.
Meanwhile, soybean production is expected to increase from a year ago. USDA forecasts the nation's soybean crop at 4.52 billion bushels, up 6% from 2025.
The average soybean yield is forecast at 52.7 bushels per acre, down slightly from last year's level.
The August report provides one of USDA's key estimates of potential production as corn and soybean crops move through the latter portion of the growing season. Final production totals will depend on weather and crop conditions through harvest.