Indiana Wheat Yield & Precision Agriculture Data 2026
Indiana Wheat yield reached 85.0 bu/acre in 2026 — about 36.9 bu/ac above the US average of 48.1 bu/ac. State-level estimates, sourced directly from USDA NASS.
Wheat yield trend
Indiana vs the US average, 2020–2026 (7 years of USDA NASS data)
| Year | Indiana (bu/ac) | US average (bu/ac) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 70 | 49.7 |
| 2021 | 85 | 44.3 |
| 2022 | 81 | 46.5 |
| 2023 | 92 | 48.7 |
| 2024 | 89 | 51.2 |
| 2025 | 89 | 53.3 |
| 2026 | 85 | 48.1 |
How Indiana compares
Top Wheat-producing states, 2026 yield
| State | Yield (bu/ac) | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 87 | +80.9% |
| Michigan | 87 | +80.9% |
| Indiana | 85 | +76.7% |
| California | 83.4 | +73.4% |
| Ohio | 83 | +72.6% |
| Wisconsin | 83 | +72.6% |
| Kentucky | 82 | +70.5% |
| Alabama | 79 | +64.2% |
What this data means for Indiana Wheat farmers
Indiana wheat production registered a final USDA-estimated yield of 85 bushels per acre in 2026, a decline of 4 bushels per acre from the 89 bu/acre recorded in both 2024 and 2025. The state's five-year trajectory shows meaningful volatility, ranging from a low of 70 bu/acre in 2020 to a peak of 92 bu/acre in 2023, though the 2026 result still represents a strong long-run position. Critically, Indiana's 85 bu/acre figure sits 36.9 bushels above the national average of 48.1 bu/acre, underscoring the state's structural advantage in wheat production relative to most of the country. At the current USDA NASS price received of $6.23 per bushel, Indiana growers are generating approximately $530 per acre in gross revenue, a figure that rewards tight cost management.
Precision agriculture tools offer a direct path to protecting and expanding those margins, particularly as yields pull back from recent highs. Variable-rate seeding and fertility programs calibrated to in-field soil data can reduce input costs by $15 to $25 per acre without meaningful yield sacrifice, translating to $12,750 to $21,250 in recovered margin on a 500-acre wheat operation at current prices. Fungicide timing guided by disease-pressure modeling — especially for Fusarium head blight, a recurring risk in Indiana — can protect 3 to 6 bushels per acre of yield, worth roughly $18.69 to $37.38 per acre at $6.23 per bushel. For operations already achieving above-average yields, these tools shift the economic conversation from maximizing production to systematically defending the revenue already within reach.
Precision ag platforms used by Indiana Wheat farmers
Overview of major platforms — features and fit for different operation sizes. No sponsored content.
Precision ag ROI calculator
Estimate annual savings for your Indiana Wheat farm based on acreage and current yield
Estimate the payback on variable-rate seeding, zone-based fertility, and overlap reduction for your farm.
Estimate only — based on industry-average implementation costs (variable-rate seeding $18/ac, zone-based fertility $22/ac, overlap reduction $9/ac; $12,000 fixed + $17/ac ongoing) and USDA yield benchmarks, not a quote.
Frequently asked questions — Indiana Wheat
Why does Indiana Wheat yield 85 bu/acre compared to the US average of only 48.1 bu/acre?
Indiana benefits from fertile glacial soils, adequate spring rainfall, and a temperate climate that aligns well with winter wheat's growth cycle, contributing to yields 36.9 bu/acre above the national average. Precision soil sampling, variable-rate nitrogen application, and timely fungicide programs targeting Fusarium head blight have also played a significant role in pushing Indiana yields to elite levels.
What is the potential revenue impact per acre for Indiana Wheat growers at the current price of $6.23 per bushel?
At 85 bu/acre and a current price of $6.23/bushel, Indiana wheat growers can gross approximately $529.55 per acre, compared to a US-average grower earning roughly $299.86 per acre at the same price. This $229.69 per-acre revenue advantage underscores the strong ROI potential for precision agriculture investments such as yield mapping, variable-rate seeding, and soil health monitoring in Indiana.
Which USDA programs can Indiana Wheat farmers use to protect against yield or price downturns?
Indiana wheat producers can enroll in the USDA's Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC-CO) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs through the Farm Service Agency to safeguard revenue when yields or prices fall below historical benchmarks. Additionally, USDA's Risk Management Agency offers Yield Protection and Revenue Protection crop insurance policies specifically calibrated to Indiana's county-level wheat yields, providing a financial safety net against losses.
What local growing conditions in Indiana are most critical to maintaining high winter wheat yields season to season?
Indiana's winter wheat performance depends heavily on adequate soil moisture at planting in September and October, followed by a proper vernalization period during winter dormancy and minimal ice sheet formation that can suffocate stands. Timely spring green-up conditions, controlled drainage on the state's tile-drained clay loam soils, and aggressive management of stripe rust and head scab pressure during grain fill are the key variables agronomists monitor to sustain yields near the 85 bu/acre benchmark.