New county-level yield estimates from USDA confirm 2025 was a historic production year for U.S. agriculture. Analysis from Farmdoc Daily shows the national average corn yield hit a record 186.5 bushels per acre, while soybean yields reached a record 53 bushels per acre. Winter wheat yields also came in strong at nearly 55 bushels per acre, marking the second-highest average on record. The highest yields were centered in the heart of the Corn Belt, including Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska and parts of Minnesota. Several Illinois counties surpassed 240 bushels per acre for corn and 73 bushels per acre for soybeans. Researchers say the data highlights continued improvements in productivity, but also noted a growing concern over declining farmer participation in USDA surveys, resulting in fewer counties receiving official yield estimates.
