StoneX Group’s first national producer survey of the season points to substantial U.S. corn and soybean production in 2026.
The August survey projects:
- Corn yield: 184.8 bushels per acre
- Total corn production: 16.160 billion bushels
- Soybean yield: 53.0 bushels per acre
- Total soybean production: 4.470 billion bushels
StoneX plans to update its survey monthly through November as weather, grain fill and harvest results provide a clearer picture of final production. These figures are early private-sector projections—not final national yields.
Why the projections matter for crop-liability claims
National yield projections can provide useful background when investigating an alleged crop loss, but they do not establish the production or damage experienced in an individual field.
StoneX reported considerable variability beneath the national averages. Some areas continue to face heat and drought concerns, while other parts of the Corn Belt are showing stronger production potential.
For crop-liability claims, the broader outlook should be considered alongside claim-specific evidence, including:
- Field conditions and local weather
- Historical and actual production records
- Yield-monitor information
- Scale tickets and harvest records
- Crop condition before and after the reported event
- Evidence connecting the alleged damage to the claimed cause
A strong national average does not eliminate the possibility of a legitimate localized loss. The individual field and the available documentation must guide the investigation.
Why the projections matter for grain-bin claims
The projected production totals also provide early context for the amount of corn and soybeans that could move into farm and commercial storage during harvest.
In grain-bin claims involving stored inventory, spoilage, contamination, equipment failure or structural damage, national projections may offer background—but they cannot establish how much grain was actually inside a particular bin.
Important claim documentation may include:
- Bin dimensions and storage capacity
- Scale tickets and delivery records
- Grain movement and inventory records
- Moisture and temperature logs
- Drying and aeration records
- Equipment maintenance information
- Photographs and measurements taken after the loss
For claims professionals, the projected crop size is one part of the larger picture. Farm-level, field-level and bin-level records remain necessary to determine the actual quantity, condition and handling of the grain involved.
The next production benchmark
USDA is scheduled to release its August Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates reports on August 12. Those reports will provide the next official national benchmark for corn and soybean production.
Until harvest is complete, yield and production estimates will continue to change. For agricultural claims professionals, these projections are valuable context—but individual claims must still be supported by the records and physical evidence specific to the operation.
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![StoneX Projects 184.8-Bushel Corn Yield and 53-Bushel Soybean Yield for 2026]()