Recap: Pro Farmer Crop Tour concludes with sweep across Minnesota and Iowa

Key Points:

• The 2026 Pro Farmer Crop Tour revealed a strong corn yield in Minnesota at 199.01 bushels per acre, slightly down from 2025 but above the three-year average, while Minnesota’s soybean pod count increased year-over-year, standing out among seven states sampled.
• Corn yields declined in key states like Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana, with Illinois experiencing a nearly 8% drop from 2025, which exceeded USDA’s forecast and contributed to a rally in corn futures, pushing December contracts above $5.
• Iowa showed mixed results with eastern and central regions improving estimates after weaker western Iowa readings; overall, Iowa's corn yield averaged 193.98 bushels per acre, down from last year but above the three-year average, while soybean pod counts were slightly down but still above average.
• Scouts reported variability within Minnesota’s crop, with issues like grain length limiting corn yields and some soybean disease concerns, while eastern Iowa displayed healthier crops with minimal disease but some hail and storm damage noted in northern areas.
• Despite disappointing corn yields across much of the Corn Belt, soybean potential remains promising if favorable weather continues, with pod counts generally above three-year averages and opportunities for strong finishes in key states like Illinois and western Iowa.