CoBank is forecasting a nearly six percent increase in U.S. soybean acres this year.
Economist Tanner Ehmke says low crop prices and high production costs leave farmers with few options.
“Margins are slim, often negative. So what it comes down to obviously for so many producers is what is the least bad option? Or what is their best option in terms of their opportunities for getting back into profitability in 2026.”
He tells Brownfield CoBank analysis points to a U.S. soybean crop totaling 86 million acres.
“That’s a far cry from where we were last year when we had just a shade over 81 million acres. And the reason why we are so aggressive on our number is because there are so many more marketing opportunities heading into 2026 versus last year.”
Ehmke says projected corn acreage of 94 million is nearly five percent below 2025, and he also sees soybeans pulling acres from wheat this year.
