NASHVILLE, TN – A private acreage estimate ahead of USDA’s report points to fewer corn acres and more soybeans, giving grain producers another signal before summer market decisions.
AgMarket.Net estimates 2026 corn planted area at 94.9 million acres, below USDA’s March intentions of 95.3 million and last year’s 98.8 million. Soybeans are pegged at 85.3 million acres, above USDA’s 84.7 million and last year’s 81.2 million.
The firm says fertilizer costs, supply challenges, and excessive moisture trimmed corn acres, while spring price rallies kept the drop from being larger. Lower soybean production costs likely pulled some acres away from corn.
All wheat is estimated at 43.8 million acres, matching USDA’s intentions but below last year’s 45.3 million. Without a sustained price rally, wheat acreage could stay under pressure.
USDA’s Acreage report will test those private estimates and could move new-crop balance sheets.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Grain producers should track acreage surprises because planted-area shifts can quickly change supply expectations, basis, and price risk.