USDA Updates 2025 Acreage Estimates in Latest Report

Today, the USDA released the 2025 Acreage report, containing updated estimates of corn, soybean, and wheat planted acres for the 2025/2026 crop. The estimates were little changed from the agency’s March 2025 Prospective Plantings report.

The report methodology said the planted acreage estimates were based mainly on farmer surveys conducted the first two weeks of this month. Altogether, the USDA estimated a total of 224.1 million corn, soybean, and wheat acres for 2025/2026, up from 223.8 million for 2024/2025.

Corn

In today’s report USDA pegged 2025/2026 planted corn acres slightly lower than the average trade expectation and the agency’s March estimate.

Soybeans

USDA also pegged soybean acres lower than the average trade expectation and the March estimate.

Wheat

Concerning wheat, USDA went a little higher than the average trade expectation and March estimate.

Grain Stocks

USDA also released the latest quarterly Grain Stocks report today. Corn, soybean, and wheat stocks were all pegged a little higher than the average trade expectation.

Trade Reaction

Naomi Blohm, senior market advisor, Total Farm Marketing: “Today’s USDA report had an overreaching neutral theme across the grain commodity spectrum with corn and soybean acres coming in very near the same numbers from the March Prospective Plantings report. …

“Quarterly stocks were mostly as expected as well. …

“The uneventful report created a muted response for grain trade price action. Traders are back to weather watching and yield guessing.”

Jeremy McCann, account manager, Farmer’s Keeper: “While the USDA reported a lot of information today, none of it was very surprising. Unfortunately, that seems to be the trend so far for the 2025/2026 crop. The information that I was anticipating the most was planted acreage for corn, soybeans, and wheat. Corn and soybean acres were adjusted marginally lower, while wheat acres were increased. What’s important to note is that this is planted acres, not harvested. The Southeast grain belt has been quite literally flooded with rain this growing season and even if they were able to get those acres planted, harvesting may be a tall order. 

“Soybeans had some wind in their sales ahead of these reports but even despite lower acres they are trading lower due to higher stocks. 

“Farmers across the country seem to be holding their breath as it pertains to their grain sales and this report did not provide them a much-needed opportunity. With the crop looking strong in general across the grain belt, it will likely take some unforeseen event to provide that next marketing opportunity.”