USDA Plantings Report 03/31
03/31/2026 | 11:03 am CDT USDA Plantings Report 03/31
Prospective Plantings
ISSN: 1949-159X
Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
Corn Planted Acreage Down 3 Percent from 2025
Soybean Acreage Up 4 Percent
All Wheat Acreage Down 3 Percent
All Cotton Acreage Up 4 Percent
Corn planted area for all purposes in 2026 is estimated at 95.3 million
acres, down 3 percent or 3.45 million acres from last year. Compared with
last year, planted acreage is expected to be down or unchanged in 37 of the
48 estimating States.
Soybean planted area for 2026 is estimated at 84.7 million acres, up
4 percent from last year. Compared with last year, planted acreage is up or
unchanged in 20 of the 29 estimating States.
All wheat planted area for 2026 is estimated at 43.8 million acres, down
3 percent from 2025. If realized, this represents the lowest all wheat
planted area since records began in 1919. The 2026 winter wheat planted area,
at 32.4 million acres, is down 2 percent from the previous estimate and down
2 percent from last year. Of this total, about 23.1 million acres are
Hard Red Winter, 5.79 million acres are Soft Red Winter, and 3.54 million
acres are White Winter. Area expected to be planted to other spring wheat for
2026 is estimated at 9.42 million acres, down 6 percent from the 2025
estimate. Of this total, about 8.78 million acres are Hard Red Spring wheat.
Durum planted area for 2026 is expected to total 1.95 million acres, down
11 percent from the previous year.
All cotton planted area for 2026 is estimated at 9.64 million acres, up
4 percent from last year. Upland area is estimated at 9.51 million acres, up
4 percent from 2025. American Pima area is estimated at 130,000 acres, down
8 percent from 2025.
This report was approved on March 31, 2026.
Deputy Secretary of
Agriculture
Stephen Alexander Vaden
Agricultural Statistics Board
Chairperson
Lance Honig
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Principal Crops Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
[Crops included in area planted are corn, sorghum, oats, barley, rye, winter
wheat, Durum wheat, other spring wheat, rice, soybeans, peanuts, sunflower,
cotton, dry edible beans, chickpeas, potatoes, sugarbeets, canola, and proso
millet. Harvested acreage is used for all hay, tobacco, and sugarcane in
computing total area planted. Values for 2026 were carried forward from 2025 for
potatoes, proso millet, rye, and sugarcane. Includes double cropped acres and
unharvested small grains planted as cover crops]
================================================================================
State 2024 2025 2026 1/
================================================================================
(1,000 acres)
AL 2,030 1,960 2,040
AK 30 30 26
AZ 562 558 564
AR 7,053 6,632 6,578
CA 2,484 2,254 2,251
CO 5,951 5,807 5,740
CT 74 68 67
DE 421 398 404
FL 1,050 1,055 1,044
GA 3,185 3,180 3,075
ID 4,137 4,056 4,155
IL 22,865 22,780 22,575
IN 11,790 11,720 11,700
IA 24,095 24,130 24,190
KS 23,899 23,957 23,858
KY 6,112 6,134 6,080
LA 3,091 3,111 3,079
ME 232 232 227
MD 1,486 1,456 1,416
MA 63 63 64
MI 6,186 6,205 6,075
MN 19,221 19,806 19,493
MS 4,151 3,860 3,897
MO 13,628 13,620 13,470
MT 9,457 8,895 8,788
NE 19,467 19,542 19,343
NV 370 371 375
NH 51 48 46
NJ 272 276 281
NM 807 768 750
NY 2,733 2,599 2,699
NC 4,228 4,043 4,108
ND 23,305 24,231 23,921
OH 9,860 9,740 9,650
OK 9,815 9,515 9,635
OR 1,895 1,727 1,781
PA 3,379 3,245 3,259
RI 8 8 8
SC 1,382 1,345 1,290
SD 16,836 17,197 17,065
TN 4,823 4,753 4,798
TX 21,194 21,573 21,556
UT 910 866 858
VT 244 253 254
VA 2,347 2,431 2,406
WA 3,709 3,732 3,769
WV 648 656 670
WI 7,968 8,080 8,049
WY 1,192 1,247 1,197
US 2/ 311,996 311,543 309,951
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
2/ States do not add to United States due to rye unallocated acreage.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Corn Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
AL 280 350 410 117
AZ 70 65 65 100
AR 500 810 590 73
CA 440 420 400 95
CO 1,460 1,500 1,410 94
CT 24 23 23 100
DE 165 175 175 100
FL 85 85 100 118
GA 375 550 560 102
ID 380 430 380 88
IL 10,800 11,200 10,900 97
IN 5,200 5,400 5,400 100
IA 12,900 13,550 13,100 97
KS 6,300 6,850 7,100 104
KY 1,370 1,520 1,450 95
LA 470 810 700 86
ME 30 30 30 100
MD 440 460 460 100
MA 14 14 14 100
MI 2,300 2,350 2,250 96
MN 8,200 8,900 8,600 97
MS 490 910 630 69
MO 3,500 3,800 3,650 96
MT 130 145 140 97
NE 10,050 10,750 10,300 96
NV 20 26 30 115
NH 12 12 12 100
NJ 72 75 73 97
NM 105 105 110 105
NY 1,020 970 1,010 104
NC 890 950 900 95
ND 3,950 4,700 4,400 94
OH 3,400 3,400 3,400 100
OK 450 540 520 96
OR 110 105 80 76
PA 1,050 1,010 1,000 99
RI 2 2 2 100
SC 340 390 380 97
SD 5,900 6,850 6,300 92
TN 700 930 1,000 108
TX 2,200 2,500 2,600 104
UT 80 85 75 88
VT 94 95 94 99
VA 460 470 450 96
WA 205 200 230 115
WV 41 41 50 122
WI 3,750 4,150 3,700 89
WY 85 85 85 100
US 90,909 98,788 95,338 97
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Sorghum Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
CO 535 545 540 99
KS 3,000 3,000 2,700 90
NE 290 250 250 100
OK 370 440 540 123
SD 420 255 390 153
TX 1,700 2,150 1,700 79
US 6,315 6,640 6,120 92
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Oat Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
[Includes area planted in preceding fall]
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
GA 65 85 90 106
ID 40 40 50 125
IL 50 50 45 90
IA 145 120 130 108
KS 160 160 135 84
ME 20 18 17 94
MI 50 45 45 100
MN 205 245 225 92
MT 65 80 85 106
NE 120 125 125 100
NY 60 43 53 123
NC 41 43 49 114
ND 285 335 325 97
OH 40 50 60 120
OR 20 13 15 115
PA 74 68 82 121
SD 270 315 275 87
TX 380 385 415 108
WI 145 150 140 93
US 2,235 2,370 2,361 100
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Barley Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
[Includes area planted in preceding fall]
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
AK 7 7 5 71
AZ 13 10 9 90
CA 47 40 40 100
CO 57 44 52 118
DE 21 20 19 95
ID 530 520 540 104
KS 9 9 9 100
ME 10 7 8 114
MD 31 31 31 100
MI 8 8 6 75
MN 34 41 40 98
MT 910 780 800 103
NY 8 6 6 100
NC 16 15 14 93
ND 370 450 450 100
OR 31 28 35 125
PA 40 47 52 111
SD 34 41 40 98
UT 15 16 13 81
VA 24 27 25 93
WA 80 69 70 101
WI 11 12 16 133
WY 75 71 72 101
US 2,381 2,299 2,352 102
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
All Wheat Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
[Includes area planted in preceding fall]
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
AL 110 110 100 91
AZ 59 50 65 130
AR 130 110 110 100
CA 350 305 305 100
CO 2,100 2,100 2,050 98
DE 70 53 55 104
GA 145 165 155 94
ID 1,210 1,215 1,235 102
IL 770 780 720 92
IN 310 320 300 94
KS 7,600 7,300 7,000 96
KY 560 490 440 90
MD 325 315 280 89
MI 400 530 520 98
MN 1,220 1,150 1,040 90
MS 60 65 75 115
MO 680 640 610 95
MT 5,330 5,290 4,850 92
NE 1,000 950 900 95
NM 375 365 370 101
NY 135 150 150 100
NC 410 350 330 94
ND 6,575 6,430 5,835 91
OH 530 570 540 95
OK 4,400 4,150 4,400 106
OR 750 750 750 100
PA 250 260 275 106
SC 80 80 70 88
SD 1,520 1,460 1,340 92
TN 385 345 270 78
TX 5,500 5,500 5,700 104
UT 115 115 120 104
VA 150 130 130 100
WA 2,295 2,325 2,300 99
WI 265 300 275 92
WY 110 110 110 100
US 46,274 45,328 43,775 97
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings for 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Winter Wheat Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
[Includes area planted in preceding fall]
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
AL 110 110 100 91
AR 130 110 110 100
CA 325 290 290 100
CO 2,100 2,100 2,050 98
DE 70 53 55 104
GA 145 165 155 94
ID 760 780 810 104
IL 770 780 720 92
IN 310 320 300 94
KS 7,600 7,300 7,000 96
KY 560 490 440 90
MD 325 315 280 89
MI 400 530 520 98
MS 60 65 75 115
MO 680 640 610 95
MT 1,950 2,250 1,900 84
NE 1,000 950 900 95
NM 375 365 370 101
NY 135 150 150 100
NC 410 350 330 94
ND 125 100 65 65
OH 530 570 540 95
OK 4,400 4,150 4,400 106
OR 750 750 750 100
PA 250 260 275 106
SC 80 80 70 88
SD 860 780 690 88
TN 385 345 270 78
TX 5,500 5,500 5,700 104
UT 115 115 120 104
VA 150 130 130 100
WA 1,800 1,850 1,850 100
WI 265 300 275 92
WY 110 110 110 100
US 33,535 33,153 32,410 98
================================================================================
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Durum Wheat Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
[Includes area planted in preceding fall in Arizona and California]
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
AZ 59 50 65 130
CA 25 15 15 100
MT 880 890 800 90
ND 1,100 1,230 1,070 87
US 2,064 2,185 1,950 89
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Other Spring Wheat Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
ID 450 435 425 98
MN 1,220 1,150 1,040 90
MT 2,500 2,150 2,150 100
ND 5,350 5,100 4,700 92
SD 660 680 650 96
WA 495 475 450 95
US 10,675 9,990 9,415 94
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
All Hay Area Harvested - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area harvested
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
AL 690 720 750 104
AK 23 23 21 91
AZ 310 330 330 100
AR 1,230 1,270 1,270 100
CA 940 820 860 105
CO 1,295 1,150 1,230 107
CT 50 45 44 98
DE 10 10 10 100
FL 300 300 290 97
GA 480 470 450 96
ID 1,250 1,150 1,250 109
IL 445 450 410 91
IN 480 550 500 91
IA 1,000 1,010 1,060 105
KS 2,130 2,400 2,370 99
KY 2,100 2,295 2,310 101
LA 370 410 450 110
ME 118 125 120 96
MD 195 185 185 100
MA 49 49 50 102
MI 760 760 790 104
MN 1,200 1,280 1,300 102
MS 600 560 500 89
MO 2,855 2,985 3,150 106
MT 2,560 2,160 2,450 113
NE 2,370 2,300 2,250 98
NV 350 345 345 100
NH 39 36 34 94
NJ 95 101 98 97
NM 270 255 225 88
NY 1,140 1,120 1,150 103
NC 588 509 525 103
ND 1,930 2,390 2,550 107
OH 790 820 850 104
OK 3,360 3,335 3,000 90
OR 930 780 850 109
PA 1,160 1,090 1,080 99
RI 6 6 6 100
SC 260 250 250 100
SD 2,880 2,640 2,550 97
TN 1,645 1,715 1,720 100
TX 4,910 5,100 5,100 100
UT 700 650 650 100
VT 150 158 160 101
VA 970 1,085 1,120 103
WA 620 650 700 108
WV 607 615 620 101
WI 1,290 1,150 1,230 107
WY 890 950 900 95
US 49,390 49,557 50,113 101
================================================================================
1/ Intended area harvested in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Rice Area Planted by Class - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area planted
Class and State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
Long grain
AR 1,330 1,180 900 76
CA 8 9 8 89
LA 425 420 370 88
MS 153 160 80 50
MO 214 209 170 81
TX 145 140 120 86
US 2,275 2,118 1,648 78
Medium grain
AR 117 103 100 97
CA 440 480 470 98
LA 48 62 60 97
MS 2 4 - (X)
MO 5 4 5 125
TX 3 5 5 100
US 615 658 640 97
Short grain
AR 1 1 1 100
CA 2/ 28 35 30 86
US 29 36 31 86
All
AR 1,448 1,284 1,001 78
CA 476 524 508 97
LA 473 482 430 89
MS 155 164 80 49
MO 219 213 175 82
TX 148 145 125 86
US 2,919 2,812 2,319 82
================================================================================
- Represents zero.
(X) Not applicable.
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
2/ Includes sweet rice.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Canola Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
ID 97.0 82.0 100.0 122
KS 8.5 10.5 13.0 124
MN 110.0 115.0 115.0 100
MT 215.0 155.0 190.0 123
ND 2,140.0 1,810.0 2,080.0 115
OK 21.0 16.0 27.0 169
WA 160.0 150.0 160.0 107
US 2,751.5 2,338.5 2,685.0 115
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Soybean Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
AL 360 295 290 98
AR 3,050 2,590 3,100 120
DE 155 140 145 104
GA 170 155 140 90
IL 10,800 10,300 10,500 102
IN 5,800 5,450 5,500 101
IA 10,050 9,450 9,900 105
KS 4,550 4,100 4,400 107
KY 2,050 1,800 1,850 103
LA 1,100 790 860 109
MD 495 465 460 99
MI 2,230 2,080 2,050 99
MN 7,400 7,150 7,300 102
MS 2,300 1,810 2,300 127
MO 5,950 5,600 5,500 98
NE 5,300 4,850 5,200 107
NJ 105 100 110 110
NY 370 310 330 106
NC 1,630 1,630 1,700 104
ND 6,600 6,550 6,700 102
OH 5,100 4,900 4,800 98
OK 510 365 420 115
PA 630 580 580 100
SC 395 365 350 96
SD 5,450 5,100 5,600 110
TN 1,820 1,550 1,550 100
TX 100 110 95 86
VA 610 600 570 95
WI 2,180 2,030 2,400 118
US 87,260 81,215 84,700 104
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Peanut Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
AL 190.0 195.0 200.0 103
AR 45.0 48.0 37.0 77
FL 165.0 175.0 155.0 89
GA 850.0 920.0 780.0 85
MS 26.0 21.0 12.0 57
MO 24.0 27.0 25.0 93
NC 130.0 140.0 130.0 93
OK 19.0 19.0 18.0 95
SC 82.0 90.0 70.0 78
TX 240.0 285.0 220.0 77
VA 30.0 33.0 27.0 82
US 1,801.0 1,953.0 1,674.0 86
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Sunflower Area Planted by Type - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Varietal type Area planted
and State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
Oil
CA 15.5 14.0 11.0 79
CO 23.0 36.0 37.0 103
KS 9.5 25.0 30.0 120
MN 31.0 81.0 70.0 86
NE 26.0 36.0 40.0 111
ND 230.0 510.0 590.0 116
SD 245.0 430.0 460.0 107
TX 14.5 57.0 56.0 98
US 594.5 1,189.0 1,294.0 109
Non-oil
CA 0.5 0.3 1.0 333
CO 3.0 3.5 2.0 57
KS 1.0 0.5 1.0 200
MN 6.7 3.3 2.0 61
NE 2.3 2.3 2.5 109
ND 75.0 65.0 50.0 77
SD 34.0 19.0 23.0 121
TX 3.5 5.3 10.0 189
US 126.0 99.2 91.5 92
All
CA 16.0 14.3 12.0 84
CO 26.0 39.5 39.0 99
KS 10.5 25.5 31.0 122
MN 37.7 84.3 72.0 85
NE 28.3 38.3 42.5 111
ND 305.0 575.0 640.0 111
SD 279.0 449.0 483.0 108
TX 18.0 62.3 66.0 106
US 720.5 1,288.2 1,385.5 108
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Flaxseed Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
MT 56 78 120 154
ND 92 170 110 65
US 148 248 230 93
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Cotton Area Planted by Type - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area planted
Type and State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
Upland
AL 400.0 290.0 290.0 100
AZ 96.0 87.0 80.0 92
AR 650.0 520.0 470.0 90
CA 21.0 18.0 25.0 139
FL 85.0 61.0 65.0 107
GA 1,100.0 835.0 900.0 108
KS 131.0 102.0 100.0 98
LA 155.0 90.0 110.0 122
MS 520.0 330.0 300.0 91
MO 400.0 355.0 360.0 101
NM 42.0 30.0 30.0 100
NC 410.0 285.0 340.0 119
OK 435.0 390.0 450.0 115
SC 225.0 170.0 170.0 100
TN 265.0 205.0 250.0 122
TX 5,950.0 5,300.0 5,500.0 104
VA 91.0 73.0 70.0 96
US 10,976.0 9,141.0 9,510.0 104
American Pima
AZ 14.0 15.5 15.0 97
CA 145.0 92.0 80.0 87
NM 15.0 13.0 15.0 115
TX 33.0 21.0 20.0 95
US 207.0 141.5 130.0 92
All
AL 400.0 290.0 290.0 100
AZ 110.0 102.5 95.0 93
AR 650.0 520.0 470.0 90
CA 166.0 110.0 105.0 95
FL 85.0 61.0 65.0 107
GA 1,100.0 835.0 900.0 108
KS 131.0 102.0 100.0 98
LA 155.0 90.0 110.0 122
MS 520.0 330.0 300.0 91
MO 400.0 355.0 360.0 101
NM 57.0 43.0 45.0 105
NC 410.0 285.0 340.0 119
OK 435.0 390.0 450.0 115
SC 225.0 170.0 170.0 100
TN 265.0 205.0 250.0 122
TX 5,983.0 5,321.0 5,520.0 104
VA 91.0 73.0 70.0 96
US 11,183.0 9,282.5 9,640.0 104
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Sugarbeet Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
[Relates to year of intended harvest in all States except California]
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
CA 3/ 2/ 28.3 - (NA) (X)
CO 24.8 23.8 24.0 101
ID 173.2 166.3 158.0 95
MI 135.1 133.9 141.0 105
MN 411.1 426.0 411.0 96
MT 24.6 24.6 23.0 93
NE 47.4 48.1 49.0 102
ND 215.8 213.0 215.0 101
OR 10.5 10.0 10.0 100
WA 1.9 2.0 2.0 100
WY 32.1 31.3 30.0 96
US 1,104.8 1,079.0 1,063.0 99
================================================================================
- Represents zero.
(NA) Not available.
(X) Not applicable.
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from processors.
2/ Relates to year of planting for overwintered beets in southern California.
3/ Estimates discontinued in 2026.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Tobacco Area Harvested - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area harvested
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(acres) (%)
KY 32,300 29,400 30,200 103
NC 113,000 121,000 120,000 99
TN 8,150 7,500 7,900 105
VA 12,400 13,400 13,500 101
US 165,850 171,300 171,600 100
================================================================================
1/ Intended area harvested in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Tobacco Area Harvested by Class and Type - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area harvested
Class, type, and State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(acres) (%)
Class 1, Flue-cured (11-14)
NC 113,000 121,000 120,000 99
VA 12,400 13,400 13,500 101
US 125,400 134,400 133,500 99
Class 2, Fire-cured (21-23)
KY 4,700 3,100 3,300 106
TN 3,700 2,900 3,100 107
US 8,400 6,000 6,400 107
Class 3A, Light air-cured
Type 31, Burley
Kentucky 24,500 23,900 24,500 103
Tennessee 3,500 3,800 4,000 105
United States 28,000 27,700 28,500 103
Class 3B, Dark air-cured (35-37)
KY 3,100 2,400 2,400 100
TN 950 800 800 100
US 4,050 3,200 3,200 100
All tobacco
US 165,850 171,300 171,600 100
================================================================================
1/ Intended area harvested in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Dry Edible Bean Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
[Excludes beans grown for garden seed]
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
CO 54.0 40.0 30.0 75
ID 45.0 40.0 45.0 113
MI 255.0 250.0 225.0 90
MN 280.0 295.0 270.0 92
NE 130.0 106.0 101.0 95
ND 730.0 580.0 510.0 88
WA 46.0 55.0 55.0 100
US 1,540.0 1,366.0 1,236.0 90
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Chickpea Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area planted
Size and State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
Small chickpeas 2/
ID 38.0 27.0 22.0 81
MT 50.0 59.0 70.0 119
ND 16.0 7.0 7.0 100
WA 38.0 35.0 17.0 49
US 142.0 128.0 116.0 91
Large chickpeas 3/
ID 59.0 71.0 60.0 85
MT 172.0 201.0 180.0 90
ND 31.0 30.0 48.0 160
WA 103.0 106.0 95.0 90
US 365.0 408.0 383.0 94
All chickpeas
ID 97.0 98.0 82.0 84
MT 222.0 260.0 250.0 96
ND 47.0 37.0 55.0 149
WA 141.0 141.0 112.0 79
US 507.0 536.0 499.0 93
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
2/ Chickpeas 20/64 inches or smaller.
3/ Chickpeas larger than 20/64 inches.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Lentil Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
MT 720.0 830.0 620.0 75
ND 165.0 185.0 155.0 84
WA 51.0 57.0 57.0 100
US 936.0 1,072.0 832.0 78
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Dry Edible Pea Area Planted - States and United States: 2024-2026
================================================================================
Area planted
State
2024 2025 2026 1/ Percent of
previous year
================================================================================
(1,000 acres) (%)
ID 12.0 22.0 22.0 100
MT 595.0 690.0 710.0 103
NE 27.0 23.0 22.0 96
ND 305.0 380.0 360.0 95
WA 49.0 58.0 60.0 103
US 988.0 1,173.0 1,174.0 100
================================================================================
1/ Intended plantings in 2026 as indicated by reports from farmers.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Crop Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production in Domestic Units -
United States: 2025 and 2026
[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from
previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2026 crop year. Blank
data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
================================================================================
Area planted Area harvested
Crop
2025 2026 2025 2026
================================================================================
(1,000 acres)
Grains and hay
Barley 2,299 2,352 1,761
Corn for grain 1/ 98,788 95,338 91,258
Corn for silage (NA) 6,208
Hay, all (NA) (NA) 49,557 50,113
Alfalfa (NA) 14,676
All other (NA) 34,881
Oats 2,370 2,361 944
Proso millet 442 397
Rice 2,812 2,319 2,740
Rye 2,229 341
Sorghum for grain 1/ 6,640 6,120 6,020
Sorghum for silage (NA) 448
Wheat, all 45,328 43,775 37,241
Winter 33,153 32,410 25,508
Durum 2,185 1,950 2,123
Other spring 9,990 9,415 9,610
Oilseeds
Canola 2,338.5 2,685.0 2,306.0
Cottonseed (X) (X)
Flaxseed 248 230 234
Mustard seed 126.2 111.8
Peanuts 1,953.0 1,674.0 1,906.0
Rapeseed 18.6 16.6
Safflower 116.5 108.5
Soybeans for beans 81,215 84,700 80,437
Sunflower 1,288.2 1,385.5 1,246.2
Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops
Cotton, all 9,282.5 9,640.0 7,804.9
Upland 9,141.0 9,510.0 7,666.7
American Pima 141.5 130.0 138.2
Sugarbeets 1,079.0 1,063.0 1,059.8
Sugarcane (NA) 946.0
Tobacco (NA) (NA) 171.3 171.6
Dry beans, peas, and lentils
Chickpeas 536.0 499.0 520.3
Dry edible beans 1,366.0 1,236.0 1,334.6
Dry edible peas 1,173.0 1,174.0 1,063.0
Lentils 1,072.0 832.0 949.0
Potatoes and miscellaneous
Hops (NA) 41.7
Maple syrup (NA) (NA)
Mushrooms (NA) (NA)
Peppermint oil (NA) 22.9
Potatoes 902.0 896.8
Spearmint oil (NA) 11.6
================================================================================
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Crop Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production in Domestic Units -
United States: 2025 and 2026 (continued)
[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from
previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2026 crop year. Blank
data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
================================================================================
Yield per acre Production
Crop
2025 2026 2025 2026
================================================================================
(1,000)
Grains and hay
Barley bushels 80.0 140,849
Corn for grain bushels 186.5 17,020,549
Corn for silage tons 21.8 135,540
Hay, all tons 2.48 123,031
Alfalfa tons 3.42 50,213
All other tons 2.09 72,818
Oats bushels 73.8 69,626
Proso millet bushels 35.9 14,239
Rice 2/ cwt 7,544 206,707
Rye bushels 36.5 12,459
Sorghum for grain bushels 72.6 436,825
Sorghum for silage tons 16.4 7,325
Wheat, all bushels 53.3 1,984,537
Winter bushels 54.9 1,401,554
Durum bushels 40.6 86,223
Other spring bushels 51.7 496,760
Oilseeds
Canola pounds 2,017 4,650,910
Cottonseed tons (X) 4,204.0
Flaxseed bushels 22.2 5,202
Mustard seed pounds 636 71,120
Peanuts pounds 3,767 7,179,850
Rapeseed pounds 2,126 35,290
Safflower pounds 1,319 143,160
Soybeans for beans bushels 53.0 4,261,858
Sunflower pounds 1,863 2,321,852
Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops
Cotton 2/, all bales 856 13,918.0
Upland 2/ bales 847 13,530.0
American Pima 2/ bales 1,348 388.0
Sugarbeets tons 33.2 35,140
Sugarcane tons 36.4 34,445
Tobacco pounds 2,093 358,570
Dry beans, peas, and lentils
Chickpeas 2/ cwt 1,315 6,844
Dry edible beans 2/ cwt 2,012 26,855
Dry edible peas 2/ cwt 1,738 18,480
Lentils 2/ cwt 1,112 10,557
Potatoes and miscellaneous
Hops pounds 1,996 83,143.4
Maple syrup gallons (NA) 5,771
Mushrooms pounds (NA) 669,930
Peppermint oil pounds 108 2,471
Potatoes cwt 460 412,860
Spearmint oil pounds 139 1,609
================================================================================
(NA) Not available.
(X) Not applicable.
1/ Area planted for all purposes.
2/ Yield in pounds.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Crop Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production in Metric Units - United
States: 2025 and 2026
[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from
previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2026 crop year. Blank
data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
================================================================================
Area planted Area harvested
Crop
2025 2026 2025 2026
================================================================================
(hectares)
Grains and hay
Barley 930,380 951,830 712,660
Corn for grain 1/ 39,978,520 38,582,340 36,931,200
Corn for silage (NA) 2,512,320
Hay 2/, all (NA) (NA) 20,055,220 20,280,230
Alfalfa (NA) 5,939,230
All other (NA) 14,115,990
Oats 959,120 955,470 382,030
Proso millet 178,870 160,660
Rice 1,137,990 938,480 1,108,850
Rye 902,050 138,000
Sorghum for grain 1/ 2,687,140 2,476,700 2,436,230
Sorghum for silage (NA) 181,300
Wheat 2/, all 18,343,790 17,715,300 15,071,060
Winter 13,416,690 13,116,000 10,322,830
Durum 884,250 789,150 859,160
Other spring 4,042,850 3,810,160 3,889,070
Oilseeds
Canola 946,370 1,086,590 933,220
Cottonseed (X) (X)
Flaxseed 100,360 93,080 94,700
Mustard seed 51,070 45,240
Peanuts 790,360 677,450 771,340
Rapeseed 7,530 6,720
Safflower 47,150 43,910
Soybeans for beans 32,866,900 34,277,240 32,552,050
Sunflower 521,320 560,700 504,320
Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops
Cotton 2/, all 3,756,530 3,901,210 3,158,560
Upland 3,699,270 3,848,600 3,102,640
American Pima 57,260 52,610 55,930
Sugarbeets 436,660 430,190 428,890
Sugarcane (NA) 382,840
Tobacco (NA) (NA) 69,320 69,440
Dry beans, peas, and lentils
Chickpeas 216,910 201,940 210,560
Dry edible beans 552,810 500,200 540,100
Dry edible peas 474,700 475,110 430,190
Lentils 433,830 336,700 384,050
Potatoes and miscellaneous
Hops (NA) 16,860
Maple syrup (NA) (NA)
Mushrooms (NA) (NA)
Peppermint oil (NA) 9,270
Potatoes 365,030 362,930
Spearmint oil (NA) 4,690
================================================================================
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Crop Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production in Metric Units - United
States: 2025 and 2026 (continued)
[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from
previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2026 crop year. Blank
data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]
================================================================================
Yield per hectare Production
Crop
2025 2026 2025 2026
================================================================================
(metric tons)
Grains and hay
Barley 4.30 3,066,620
Corn for grain 11.71 432,341,860
Corn for silage 48.94 122,959,820
Hay 2/, all 5.57 111,611,850
Alfalfa 7.67 45,552,470
All other 4.68 66,059,380
Oats 2.65 1,010,620
Proso millet 2.01 322,930
Rice 8.46 9,376,070
Rye 2.29 316,470
Sorghum for grain 4.55 11,095,870
Sorghum for silage 36.65 6,645,130
Wheat 2/, all 3.58 54,010,250
Winter 3.70 38,144,050
Durum 2.73 2,346,610
Other spring 3.48 13,519,590
Oilseeds
Canola 2.26 2,109,620
Cottonseed (X) 3,813,800
Flaxseed 1.40 132,140
Mustard seed 0.71 32,260
Peanuts 4.22 3,256,730
Rapeseed 2.38 16,010
Safflower 1.48 64,940
Soybeans for beans 3.56 115,988,770
Sunflower 2.09 1,053,170
Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops
Cotton 2/, all 0.96 3,030,290
Upland 0.95 2,945,810
American Pima 1.51 84,480
Sugarbeets 74.33 31,878,470
Sugarcane 81.62 31,247,980
Tobacco 2.35 162,640
Dry beans, peas, and lentils
Chickpeas 1.47 310,440
Dry edible beans 2.26 1,218,120
Dry edible peas 1.95 838,240
Lentils 1.25 478,860
Potatoes and miscellaneous
Hops 2.24 37,710
Maple syrup (NA) 28,860
Mushrooms (NA) 303,870
Peppermint oil 0.12 1,120
Potatoes 51.60 18,727,020
Spearmint oil 0.16 730
================================================================================
(NA) Not available.
(X) Not applicable.
1/ Area planted for all purposes.
2/ Total may not add due to rounding.
Winter Weather Summary
Highlights: Despite several episodes of extreme weather, the nation overall
experienced a warm, dry winter. Warmth was especially prominent from the
Pacific Coast to the Plains, while any sustained cold weather was focused
from the lower Great Lakes region into the Northeast. Winter dryness
dominated large sections of the South, East, and lower Midwest, as well as
portions of the Plains. However, embedded within the mild, dry pattern were
major events such as flooding in western Washington, peaking around
December 10; a sprawling winter storm from the southern Rockies to the
Atlantic Coast, from January 23-26; and the worst Florida freeze in 16 years,
from February 1-3. Florida's freeze damaged a variety of crops, including
citrus, blueberries, strawberries, and sugarcane. The March USDA/NASS
Crop Production report indicated Florida's production for sugar,
month-over-month, fell from 18.165 to 16.718 million tons, a drop of
1.447 million tons, or 8 percent, with most, if not all, of the loss
attributable to the February freeze event.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought coverage across the Lower
48 States increased from 40.29 to 54.88 percent-nearly 15 percentage points,
between December 9, 2025, and March 3, 2026. Drought significantly worsened
during the winter in most areas from the southern Plains to the southern
Atlantic Coast, with a second area of drought deterioration from northeastern
Colorado and Nebraska northwestward into parts of Montana. Conversely,
improving drought conditions were noted in the Great Lakes region, especially
in Michigan and Wisconsin. Meanwhile, the West experienced an odd winter,
with many areas receiving ample precipitation, despite below-average
snowfall. Much of the Western storminess occurred from December into early
January and during a brief spell in mid-February. The West also endured a
protracted dry spell, spanning more than a month starting in early January.
Potential future impacts from the West's largely subpar snow accumulations-as
well as premature melting, due to late-winter and spring warmth-could include
low spring and summer streamflow; local to regional water shortages; and an
extended wildfire season.
End-of-February reporting from USDA/NASS indicated that declining
winter wheat conditions were a concern in Nebraska and adjacent areas.
Nebraska's wheat had been rated 54 percent good to excellent on November 23,
2025-a number that declined to 18 percent by the end of February. Nebraska
endured long stretches of dry, windy weather, interrupted by a sharp,
mid-winter cold snap that occurred without the benefit of a widespread,
protective snow cover. In top winter wheat-producer Kansas, however, where
the soil held more moisture and winter weather was less extreme, the decline
in winter wheat rated good to excellent was subtle, going from 62 to
58 percent between November 23 and February 28. Across the southern half of
the Plains, late-winter wildfire activity peaked on February 17, with the
Ranger Road Fire scorching more than 283,000 acres of cured vegetation in
northwestern Oklahoma and southwestern Kansas.
By the end of February, statewide topsoil moisture in agricultural regions
was rated 70 to 80 percent very short to short in Colorado, Montana,
Nebraska, and Wyoming. On the same date, topsoil moisture was rated at least
50 percent short in several Southern States, including Louisiana (59 percent)
and Arkansas (53 percent). Despite patchy drought across the lower Midwest,
60 to 65 percent of the winter wheat crop was rated good to excellent as
March began in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio.
Historical Perspective: According to preliminary data provided by the
National Centers for Environmental Information, the contiguous United States
overall experienced a mild, dry winter, with a December-February average
temperature of 37.13 degrees F and an average precipitation total of
4.95 inches. Mean values from 1901-2000 were 32.23 degrees F and 6.79 inches,
respectively. The only higher winter average temperature, 37.47 degrees F,
occurred in 2023-24. Falling to third place was 2015-16, with an average of
36.78 degrees F. Meanwhile, it was the nation's fifth-driest winter on
record. Drier winters in the Lower 48 States were observed in 1930-31,
1962-63, 1976-77, and 1980-81.
State temperature rankings ranged from the 28th-coldest winter in Delaware to
the warmest on record in Oklahoma, Oregon, Nevada, Texas, Wyoming, and the
Four Corners States. Additionally, it was the second-warmest winter in
California, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, and Nebraska, and among the ten warmest
in South Dakota and Washington. Meanwhile, Michigan had its 23rd-wettest
winter. Conversely, top-ten rankings for winter dryness were observed in
Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas; four Midwestern States from Missouri to Ohio;
six Southern States; and all New England States, minus Vermont.
December: Across the continental United States, December featured an ongoing
battle between frigid air arriving from northwestern North America and
seemingly endless Pacific warmth and storminess. Temperature patterns
exhibited the struggle, with significantly colder-than-normal conditions in
the Great Lakes and Northeastern States contrasting with record-setting
warmth extending from parts of the West to the High Plains. In fact, monthly
temperatures averaged more than 10 degrees F above normal in numerous
locations from the interior Northwest and northern Great Basin to the central
High Plains. Conversely, readings broadly averaged at least 5 degrees F below
normal from the upper Great Lakes region into the Northeast. The mean
dividing line between cold and warm air stretched from northeastern Montana
to the southern Appalachians. Starting on December 9 and intermittently
continuing for nearly 3 weeks, dozens of towns and cities set or tied monthly
temperature records. Furthermore, it was the warmest December on record from
Pocatello, Idaho, to Phoenix, Arizona; from Reno, Nevada, to Rawlins,
Wyoming; and many communities in between.
Farther east, however, Midwestern snow that had fallen in late November was
slow to melt, due to consistently cold conditions early in the month. In
fact, snow coverage across the Lower 48 States topped 40 percent each day
from December 3-6, as fresh snow briefly expanded coverage into portions of
the central and southern Plains, mid-South, and mid-Atlantic. But, as milder
air gradually spread northeastward, national snow coverage fell below
30 percent on December 16 and below 20 percent by December 21, according to
the National Weather Service.
Given the overarching December warmth across the western United States,
high-elevation snow accumulations were largely inadequate, leaving only the
northern Rockies with near- or above-average snowpack as 2026 began. In the
Sierra Nevada, the average snow-water equivalency increased from around an
inch in mid-December to 6.5 inches (about two-thirds of normal for the date)
at the end of the month, according to the California Department of Water
Resources, courtesy of holiday-week storms that delivered valley downpours
and less-than-optimal mountain snow. Western precipitation-albeit widespread
and frequently heavy-shifted southward as the month progressed. Consequently,
flooding initially struck western Washington-peaking on or about
December 10-before extending as far south as southern California just prior
to the holidays. Christmas Eve featured more than 4 inches of rain in
southern California communities such as Sandberg and Santa Barbara, with the
latter location experiencing its wettest December day on record. However,
there was a sharp divide between December storminess across the northern
Plains and much of the West, and very dry conditions from the Four Corners
region to the central and southern Plains and the mid-South. Aside from heavy
precipitation in southern sections of California and the Great Basin, the
December precipitation distribution was loosely consistent with a weak
La Niña, which had developed in early autumn.
January: From January 23-26, a sprawling and destructive storm system left a
swath of wintry weather-snow, sleet, and freezing rain-from the southern
Rockies to the Atlantic Coast. Bitterly cold weather accompanied and trailed
the winter storm, largely locking the snow and ice into place for more than a
week and complicating recovery efforts. Some of the most extensive damage
occurred across the mid-South, where heavy ice accretion (0.50 to
1.25 inches) led to protracted power outages. At the height of the storm,
more than one million customers -many across northern Louisiana, western and
central Tennessee, and roughly the northwestern half of Mississippi - were
left without electricity. Mid-South freezing rain was also destructive to
timber and orchard crops, with a secondary area of icing reported east of the
southern Appalachians. A larger area, extending from the central and southern
Plains into the Ohio Valley and the middle and northern Atlantic States,
received snow, or a mix of snow and sleet. Storm-total snowfall topped a foot
in many locations from the lower Midwest into the Northeast.
Several surges of frigid air trailed the storminess into the central and
eastern United States. Even areas such as the northern Plains and upper
Midwest, which avoided widespread wintry precipitation, endured extreme cold.
Many winter wheat fields from Nebraska northwestward into Montana experienced
sub-zero temperatures without the benefit of a protective snow cover, with
some locations briefly dipping below -20 degrees F. Farther south,
accumulations of snow and ice from the southern Plains into the mid-South and
mid-Atlantic provided winter grains and cover crops with beneficial moisture
and insulation. Deep South Texas observed a freeze on January 26, although
the short duration and limited intensity of the event spared citrus and most
other active crops. Similarly, Louisiana's new sugarcane crop escaped the
cold spell without permanent freeze injury. Across Florida's peninsula,
however, light, late-month freezes were a warm-up act to a major freeze event
from February 1-3.
The late-January cold snap resulted in monthly temperatures averaging more
than 5 degrees F below normal in portions of the upper Great Lakes States and
from the Ohio Valley into the lower Great Lakes region. Below-normal January
temperatures covered a broader area encompassing much of the eastern half of
the United States, despite relatively mild weather during the first 3 weeks
of the New Year. Conversely, monthly temperatures averaged more than
5 degrees F above normal across the northern and central Rockies and adjacent
High Plains. In fact, warmer-than-normal January weather broadly encompassed
the West and the northern High Plains, although pesky fog and low clouds
plagued California's Central Valley and parts of the Northwest during the
mid- to late-month period. A dramatic Western pattern shift occurred around
January 10, signaling the end of a month-long spell of stormy weather.
Thereafter, a stretch of mild, dry Western weather extended to more than a
month by mid-February, leading to growing concerns regarding mostly abysmal
snowpack. (Most earlier storms were not particularly efficient at building
snowpack, except in the northern Rockies, as a greater-than-average
percentage of the precipitation had fallen as rain, rather than snow.)
According to the California Department of Water Resources, the average water
equivalency of the Sierra Nevada snowpack reached 10 inches (more than
90 percent of normal for the date) by January 6, but also ended the month at
10 inches (less than 60 percent of normal). A similar scenario elsewhere in
the West left end-of-January snowpack broadly less than 50 percent of normal
from southern Washington and Oregon into the Southwest, including much of
Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, southern Colorado, western and southern Utah,
and the northern tier of California.
February: A damaging cold outbreak affected Florida's peninsula from
February 1-3, with variable impacts on citrus, blueberries, strawberries,
sugarcane, winter vegetables, ornamentals, and nurseries. Traditional
freeze-protection measures, such as creating ice caps (delivered by
sprinklers) on fruits and flying helicopters over vegetable fields, were
complicated or rendered impossible by high winds during the first 2 days of
the event. Full assessment of Florida's freeze impacts will not be known for
weeks or months, depending on the crop. The last time Florida's peninsula
experienced a freeze of similar magnitude was January 2010, with that event
generally peaking on the 10th. Previously, a more severe Florida freeze
occurred in December 1989.
Meanwhile, meager snowpack remained a prominent feature in the West, despite
a mid-February stormy spell. By March 1, snow-water equivalency values were
less than 50 percent of average nearly statewide in Oregon, Nevada, Arizona,
and New Mexico, as well as portions of neighboring States. In fact, only
portions the northern Rockies had a relatively robust snowpack as March
began, with near-normal water equivalency largely limited to western Wyoming
and environs. According to the California Department of Water Resources, the
Sierra Nevada snowpack contained an average of 15 inches of water equivalency
(less than two-thirds of normal) at the end of February, up from 10 inches as
the month began. Most of the snowpack gains in Sierra Nevada occurred from
February 15-19, when numerous high-elevation sites received at least 4 to
8 feet of snow. Despite the lack of sustained storminess over the last
2 months, California's 154 primary intrastate reservoirs were mostly brimming
with water, containing 119 percent of average storage as March began.
February warmth dominated the western and central United States, while
below-normal temperatures gripped the East, despite a late-month warming
trend. For dozens of communities, from the Desert Southwest to the
High Plains, it was the warmest February on record, with temperatures
averaging 6 to 12 degrees F above normal. The list of cities affected by
record-setting February warmth included Phoenix, Arizona; Albuquerque,
New Mexico; Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock, and Midland, Texas; Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Laramie and Lander, Wyoming. Many
of the previous records had been set in February 1930, 1954, 2000, 2015,
or 2017. Farther east, colder-than-normal February conditions stretched from
Florida's peninsula into the Northeast, with monthly temperatures averaging
as much as 6 degrees F below normal in the latter region.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought coverage in the Lower
48 States increased sharply, from 43.04 to 54.88 percent, during the 5-week
period ending March 3. Additionally, national coverage of Extreme to
Exceptional Drought (D3 to D4) more than doubled, from 3.12 to 6.92 percent,
between January 27 and March 3. Worsening drought was especially notable
across the Plains, South, and parts of the Midwest, while improvement was
limited to a few areas, including portions of the middle Atlantic States. By
February 24, national drought coverage rose above 50 percent for the first
time since November 5, 2024. A week later, on March 3, drought coverage
(54.88 percent) was the greatest since December 6, 2022, more than 3 years
ago. By March 3, double-digit coverage of D3 to D4 was observed in
ten States, led by Florida (71 percent), Georgia (37 percent), and Arkansas
(35 percent).
Other February highlights included a mid-month rash of wildfires across the
central and southern High Plains and a late-month winter storm that resulted
in blizzard conditions and scattered power outages from the middle
Atlantic Coast into southern New England. The wildfire activity peaked on
February 17, when the Ranger Road Fire scorched more than 283,000 acres of
vegetation and resulted in some cattle and property losses across
northwestern Oklahoma and southwestern Kansas, after being sparked in
Beaver County, Oklahoma. On February 22-23, a late-winter coastal storm
produced more than a foot of wind-driven snow in major East Coast cities from
Philadelphia to Boston.
Crop Comments
Corn: Growers intend to plant 95.3 million acres of corn for all purposes in
2026, a decrease of 3 percent from last year. Compared with last year,
planted acreage is expected to be down or unchanged in 37 of the 48
estimating States. Acreage decreases of 300,000 acres or more from last year
are expected in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota,
South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Record high acreage is expected in Nevada and Washington. Record low acreage
is expected in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.
Sorghum: Growers intend to plant 6.12 million acres of sorghum for all
purposes in 2026, down 8 percent from last year. Kansas, the leading sorghum-
producing State, is expecting 10 percent less sorghum acres in 2026 compared
with last year. Texas growers are expecting to plant 21 percent less sorghum
acres than last year.
Oats: Area expected to be seeded to oats for the 2026 crop year is estimated
at 2.36 million acres, down less than 1 percent from 2025. If realized,
planted area for the Nation will be the third lowest on record. Record low
planted area is expected in Maine.
Barley: Producers intend to seed 2.35 million acres of barley for the 2026
crop year, up 2 percent from the previous year. In Montana, the largest
barley State, acreage is expected to increase by 3 percent from last year.
Record low acreage is expected in Utah.
Winter wheat: The 2026 winter wheat planted area is estimated at 32.4 million
acres, down 2 percent from the previous estimate and down 2 percent from last
year. Of the total planted acreage, approximately 23.1 million acres are
Hard Red Winter, 5.79 million acres are Soft Red Winter, and 3.54 million
acres are White Winter. If realized, California, Nebraska, and Virginia will
have record low planted areas.
Durum wheat: Area expected to be seeded to Durum wheat for 2026, is estimated
at 1.95 million acres, down 11 percent from 2025.
Other spring wheat: Growers intend to plant 9.42 million acres of other
spring wheat, down 6 percent from 2025. If realized, this represents the
lowest other spring wheat planted area since 1970. Of this total, about
8.78 million acres are Hard Red Spring wheat. Planted area in North Dakota,
the largest spring wheat-producing State, is estimated at 4.70 million acres,
down 8 percent from last year.
Hay: Producers intend to harvest 50.1 million acres of all hay in 2026, up
1 percent from 2025. Record low all hay harvested area is expected in
Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.
Rice: Area expected to be planted to rice in 2026 is estimated at
2.32 million acres, down 18 percent from 2025. If realized, both the
United States long grain acres and Arkansas long grain acres will be the
lowest planted area since 1983. Arkansas, the largest long grain
rice-producing State, is expected to decrease long grain acres by 24 percent
from the previous year, and medium grain acres are expected to decrease
3 percent in the State. California, the largest medium and short
grain-producing State, is expected to decrease medium grain planted area by
2 percent and decrease short grain planted area by 14 percent compared with
last year. Mississippi is expected to plant the lowest acreage since 1973.
Texas is expected to plant the lowest area since the data series began in
1929.
Canola: Producers intend to plant 2.69 million acres in 2026, up 15 percent
from last year's planted area. If realized, planted area for the Nation will
be the second largest on record. Compared with last year, planted area is up
or unchanged in all seven of the major canola-producing States. Planted area
in North Dakota, the leading canola-producing State, is up 15 percent from
last year and will represent the second highest area on record, if realized.
Planted area in Idaho is estimated at 100,000 acres and will be a record
high, if realized.
Soybeans: Growers intend to plant 84.7 million acres in 2026, up 4 percent
from last year. Compared with last year, planting intentions are up or
unchanged in 20 of the 29 estimating States. Increases of 300,000 acres or
more are anticipated in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska,
South Dakota, and Wisconsin. If realized, the planted acres in Wisconsin will
be the largest on record.
Peanuts: Growers intend to plant 1.67 million acres in 2026, down 14 percent
from 2025. Compared with last year, acreage decreases are expected in 10 out
of the 11 estimating States. Planted area decreases of 20,000 acres or more
are expected in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas. In Georgia, the
largest peanut-producing State, planted area is expected to be down
15 percent from last year to 780,000 acres.
Sunflower: Growers intend to plant 1.39 million acres in 2026, an increase of
8 percent from last year's planted area. Planted area in North Dakota is
expected to increase 11 percent from last year to 640,000 acres. Record low
planted area is expected in California.
Area intended for oil type varieties, at 1.29 million acres, is up 9 percent
from 2025. Area intended for non-oil varieties, at 91,500 acres, is down
8 percent from last year and will represent the lowest acreage on record for
the Nation, if realized. Record low planted acreage for non-oil type
varieties is expected in Colorado and Minnesota.
Flaxseed: Growers intend to plant 230,000 acres of flaxseed in 2026, a
decrease of 7 percent from 2025. Planted acreage in Montana is expected to
increase 54 percent from the previous year. If realized, this will be the
first time that Montana has planted more acres than North Dakota since the
data series began in 1920. Planted acreage in North Dakota is expected to be
down 35 percent from 2025.
Cotton: Growers intend to plant an estimated 9.64 million acres, up 4 percent
from last year. Upland area is estimated at 9.51 million acres, up 4 percent
from 2025. American Pima area is estimated at 130,000 acres, down 8 percent
from 2025.
Texas and Georgia, the two largest cotton-producing States, are both
expecting increases in area planted to all cotton. If realized, New Mexico is
estimated to have record low upland cotton planted acres.
Sugarbeets: Area expected to be planted to sugarbeets for the 2026 crop year
is estimated at 1.06 million acres, down 1 percent from 2025.
Tobacco: United States all tobacco area for harvest in 2026 is expected to
total 171,600 acres, up less than 1 percent from the previous year. Despite
the increase, if realized, this will be the third lowest tobacco harvested
area on record for the Nation. Compared with last year, harvested acreage is
expected to be up in three of the four major tobacco-producing States.
Flue-cured tobacco, at 133,500 acres, is down 1 percent from 2025 and
accounts for 78 percent of this year's total tobacco expected harvested
acreage. The light air-cured burley type tobacco area, at 28,500 acres, is up
3 percent from 2025. Fire-cured tobacco, at 6,400 acres, is up 7 percent from
2025. Dark air-cured tobacco, at 3,200 acres, is unchanged from last year.
Dry edible beans: Growers intend to plant 1.24 million acres in 2026,
down 10 percent from the previous year. Idaho is the only State, among the
seven program States, expected to increase planted acres.
Chickpeas: Growers intend to plant 499,000 acres of chickpeas, down 7 percent
from the previous year. Planted area for small chickpeas is estimated at
116,000 acres. Area expected to be planted for large chickpeas in 2026 is
estimated at 383,000 acres.
Lentils: Growers intend to plant 832,000 acres in 2026, down 22 percent from
the previous year. Compared with last year, planted area in Montana, the
largest lentil-producing State, is expected to decrease by 210,000 acres.
Dry edible peas: Growers intend to plant 1.17 million acres in 2026,
up slightly from the previous year. A record high area planted is expected in
Montana.
Statistical Methodology
Survey Procedures: The acreage estimates in this report are based primarily
on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of March. The March
Agricultural Survey is a probability survey that includes a sample of
approximately 73,800 farm operators selected from a list of producers that
ensures all operations in the United States have a chance to be selected.
Data from operators was collected by mail, internet, or telephone to obtain
information on crop acreage intentions for the 2026 crop year.
Estimating Procedures: National, Regional, State, and grower reported data
were reviewed for reasonableness and consistency with historical estimates.
Each Regional Field Office submits their analysis of the current situation to
the Agricultural Statistics Board (ASB). Survey data are compiled to the
National level and are reviewed at this level independently of each State's
review. Acreage estimates were based on survey data and the historical
relationship of official estimates to the survey data.
Revision Policy: Acreage estimates in the Prospective Plantings report will
not be revised. These estimates are intended to reflect grower intentions as
of the survey period. New acreage estimates will be made based on surveys
conducted in June when crop acreages have been established or planting
intentions are firm. These new estimates will be published in the Acreage
report scheduled for June 30, 2026. Winter wheat is an exception. Since
winter wheat was seeded prior to the March survey, any changes in estimates
in this report are considered revisions. The estimate of the harvested
acreage of winter wheat will be published on May 12, 2026, along with the
first production forecast of the crop year.
Reliability: The survey used to make acreage estimates is subject to sampling
and non-sampling errors that are common to all surveys. Sampling errors
represent the variability between estimates that would result if many
different samples were surveyed at the same time. Sampling errors for major
crops are generally between 1.0 and 3.0 percent, but they cannot be applied
directly to the acreage published in this report to determine confidence
intervals because the official estimates represent a composite of information
from more than a single source.
Non-sampling errors cannot be measured directly. They may occur due to
incorrect reporting and/or recording, data omissions or duplications, and
errors in processing. To minimize non-sampling errors, vigorous quality
controls are used in the data collection process and all data are carefully
reviewed for consistency and reasonableness.
To assist users in evaluating the reliability of acreage estimates in this
report, the "Root Mean Square Error," a statistical measure based on past
performance, is computed. The deviations between the acreage estimates in
this report and the final estimates are expressed as a percentage of the
final estimates. The average of squared percentage deviations for the latest
20-year period is computed. The square root of the average becomes
statistically the "Root Mean Square Error." Probability statements can be
made concerning expected differences in the current estimates relative to the
final end-of-season estimates, assuming that factors affecting this year's
estimates are not different from those influencing recent years. For example,
the "Root Mean Square Error" for the corn planted estimate is 2.4 percent.
This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the current corn acreage estimate
will not be above or below the final estimate by more than 2.4 percent.
Chances are 9 out of 10 (90 percent confidence level) that the difference
will not exceed 4.2 percent.
Also, shown in the following table is a 20-year record for selected crops of
the difference between the Prospective Plantings planted acreage estimates
and the final estimates. Using corn again as an example, changes between the
intentions estimates and the final estimates during the past 20 years have
averaged 1.63 million acres, ranging from 32,000 acres to 6.56 million acres.
The prospective plantings estimates have been below the final estimate
11 times and above 9 times. This does not imply that the planted estimate
this year is likely to understate or overstate the final estimate.
Prospective Plantings: Released March 31, 2026, by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Reliability of Prospective Plantings Planted Acreage Estimates
[Based on data for the past twenty years]
================================================================================
Diff between forecast
and final estimate
90 percent Thousand acres Years
Crop Root confidence
Mean interval Below Above
Square Average Smallest Largest final
Error
================================================================================
(%) (1,000 acres) (number)
Barley 7.6 13.1 199 14 401 8 12
Corn 2.4 4.2 1,634 32 6,558 11 9
Hay 1/ 3.2 5.5 1,503 34 3,769 3 17
Oats 6.7 11.5 140 3 490 8 12
Peanuts 7.7 13.4 99 3 216 11 9
Rice 7.3 12.6 174 13 329 9 11
Sorghum 7.5 13.0 395 39 1,220 13 7
Soybeans 3.4 5.9 1,868 156 8,517 8 12
Sugarbeets 2.1 3.6 18 1 53 9 11
Upland cotton 7.8 13.4 744 13 2,115 12 8
Wheat
Winter wheat 1.7 3.0 541 21 1,242 5 15
Durum wheat 21.6 37.3 239 36 1,028 13 7
Other spring 5.7 9.8 528 30 2,083 7 13
================================================================================
1/ Harvested acreage.
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Information Contacts
Listed below are the commodity statisticians in the Crops Branch of the National
Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail
inquiries may be sent to nass@usda.gov
Anthony Prillaman, Acting Chief, Crops Branch (202) 720-2127
Chris Hawthorn, Head, Field Crops Section (202) 720-2127 Fleming Gibson, Head,
Fruits, Vegetables, and Special Crops Section (202) 236-2428
Joshua Bates - Asparagus, Hemp, Maple Syrup, Soybeans (202) 690-3234 Natasha
Bruton - Cotton System Consumption and Stocks, Grain Crushings, Fats and Oils,
Flour Milling Products, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Plums, Prunes (202) 690-1042
Noemi Guindin - Crop Progress and Condition, Kiwifruit (202) 720-7324 Michelle
Harder - Hay, Kale, Peanuts, Raspberries (202) 690-8533 Deonne Holiday -
Almonds, Carrots, Coffee, Cranberries, Garlic, Onions Proso Millet, Rye, Tobacco
(202) 720-4288 Bret Holliman - Apricots, Barley, Chickpeas, Nectarines, Peaches,
Snap Beans, Tomatoes (202) 720-7235 James Johanson - Dry Edible Beans, Lettuce,
Macadamias, Wheat (202) 720-8068 Greg Lemmons - Beets, Corn, Flaxseed, Pears,
Rice, Sweet Corn (202) 720-9526 Krishna Rizal - Artichokes, Celery, Grapefruit,
Lemons, Mandarins and Tangerines, Mint, Mushrooms, Olives, Oranges, Pistachios
(202) 720-5412 Chris Singh - Apples, Cucumbers, Hazelnuts, Potatoes, Pumpkins,
Squash, Sugarbeets, Sugarcane, Sweet Potatoes (202) 720-4285 Becky Sommer -
Cabbage, Cotton, Cotton Ginnings, Sorghum, Walnuts, Strawberries (202) 720-5944
Travis Thorson - Blueberries, Canola, Mustard Seed, Rapeseed, Safflower,
Spinach, Sunflower (202) 720-7369 Antonio Torres - Cantaloupes, Dry Edible Peas,
Grapes, Green Peas, Honeydews, Lentils, Oats, Sweet Cherries, Tart Cherries,
Watermelons (202) 720-2157 Chris Wallace - Avocados, Bell Peppers, Chile
Peppers, Dates, Floriculture, Hops, Papayas, Pecans (202) 720-4215
Access to NASS Reports
For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following
ways:
All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web
site: www.nass.usda.gov.
The national specific reports are available via a free e-mail
subscription. To set-up this free subscription, visit www.nass.usda.gov
and click on "National" in upper right corner above "search" box to
create an account and select the reports you would like to receive.
Economics, Statistics, and Market Information (ESMIS) - National
Agricultural Library (NAL) website houses NASS's and other agency
archived reports at https://esmis.nal.usda.gov. All email subscriptions
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For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural
Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail:
nass@usda.gov.
If you have specific questions you would like an expert to respond to, please
visit our "Ask A Specialist" website at
www.nass.usda.gov/Contact_Us/Ask_a_Specialist.
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