Apr 02, 2025
2025 U.S. Prospective Planting Report, More Corn Less Soybeans
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
In their 2025 U.S. Prospective Planting Report, the USDA estimated that U.S. farmers will plant 95.3 million acres of corn and 83.5 million acres of soybeans in 2025. The corn acreage is up 4.8 million acres from 2024 or 5% and the soybean acreage is down 3.5 million acres from 2024 or 4%.
Corn - If we assume that 91.5% of the planted corn will be harvested for grain, then the harvested acreage is estimated at 87.2 million acres. The corn acreage estimate is a little higher than I anticipated, but I am going to use their acreage to get started.
Their yield estimate of 181 bu/ac seems a bit optimistic since the U.S. corn yield for the last three years has averaged 176.6 bu/ac (173.4 bu/ac in 2022, 177.3 bu/ac 2023, and 179.3 bu/ac in 2024). A yield of 181.0 bu/ac is certainly achievable, but I am going to be more conservative and start with a corn yield of 180.0 bu/ac resulting in a production of approximately 15.69 billion bushels.
Soybeans - If we assume that 99% of the planted soybeans will be harvested, then the harvested acreage is estimated at 82.6 million acres. The soybean acreage came in a little below what I had expected, but for the time being, I will use their soybean acreage. The eventual soybean acreage will depend on how the corn planting progresses.
Their soybean yield estimate of 52.5 bu/ac also seams optimistic since the U.S. soybean yield has averaged 50.3 bu/ac for the last three years (49.6 bu/ac in 2022, 50.6 bu/ac in 2023, and 50.7 bu/ac in 2024). Therefore, I am going to start by using a soybean yield of 51.5 bu/ac resulting in a production of approximately 4.25 billion bushels.