By Jamie Martin
U.S. farmers are adjusting their planting strategies for 2026 as low crop prices and rising input costs continue to strain farm profitability. Current projections show soybeans expanding their share of farmland, while several competing crops are expected to lose acreage.
Soybean plantings are forecast to increase by nearly 6%, reaching approximately 86 million acres. Stronger soybean prices, driven by expanding domestic crushing capacity and expected ongoing demand from China, are improving their profit outlook. Policy expectations related to renewable fuel standards are also providing support.
“Following recent price rallies, soybeans offer greater profit potential than corn, wheat, sorghum, cotton and rice. Beyond price signals, crop rotation needs will also play a role. Following a big year for corn in 2025, in which acres climbed to the highest level in decades, more corn acres will be available to rotate to soybeans,” said Tanner Ehmke, lead grains and oilseeds economist with CoBank.
“And with record supplies of corn in storage, farmers will look to rotate into other crops to diversify their marketing risk. Soybeans currently offer the best marketing opportunities,” said Tanner Ehmke.
Corn acreage is projected to fall by nearly 5% to about 94 million acres. After a significant expansion in 2025, many farmers are expected to rotate away from corn to maintain soil health and manage risk. Record corn stocks in parts of the Midwest are also influencing this decision. However, corn could gain ground in some Northern Plains areas due to weak soybean pricing and steady feed demand.
Spring wheat acreage is expected to decline modestly, while durum wheat acres may decrease further following large supplies in recent years. Grain sorghum planting is projected to drop 5%, as producers respond to wider basis levels and stronger incentives to plant corn. Export demand from China remains a key factor for sorghum’s outlook.
Cotton acreage is forecast to fall to its lowest level in more than a decade due to slower exports and rising global competition. Rice plantings could reach a 30-year low, with high production costs and international competition reducing returns for farmers.
Overall, planting decisions reflect market signals, trade conditions, crop rotation needs and efforts by farmers to manage financial risk in a challenging environment.
Photo Credit: istock-urpspoteko
Categories: National