Nebraska Corn Yield & Precision Agriculture Data 2026
Nebraska Corn yield is forecast at 188.0 bu/acre for 2026 (USDA Oct forecast) — about 6.8 bu/ac above the US average of 181.2 bu/ac. State-level estimates, sourced directly from USDA NASS.
Corn yield trend
Nebraska vs the US average, 2020–2026 (7 years of USDA NASS data)
| Year | Nebraska (bu/ac) | US average (bu/ac) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 180 | 171.4 |
| 2021 | 194 | 176.7 |
| 2022 | 165 | 173.4 |
| 2023 | 182 | 177.3 |
| 2024 | 188 | 179.3 |
| 2025 | 194 | 186.5 |
| 2026 | 188 | 181.2 |
How Nebraska compares
Top Corn-producing states, 2026 yield
| State | Yield (bu/ac) | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 229 | +26.4% |
| Iowa | 219 | +20.9% |
| Illinois | 208 | +14.8% |
| Indiana | 200 | +10.4% |
| Ohio | 200 | +10.4% |
| Mississippi | 196 | +8.2% |
| Minnesota | 195 | +7.6% |
| Idaho | 194 | +7.1% |
What this data means for Nebraska Corn farmers
Nebraska corn yield is forecast at 188 bu/acre for 2026 in USDA's October forecast, 6.8 bu/acre above the US average of 181.2 bu/acre but 6 bu/acre below the state's 2025 result of 194 bu/acre. Over the last seven seasons Nebraska has ranged from 165 bu/acre in 2022 to 194 bu/acre in both 2021 and 2025, so the current forecast sits in the upper half of that range. The 2022 dip shows how much dryland acres pull down the statewide figure in a dry year, while irrigated ground keeps the state above the national average in most seasons. Because this is still a forecast, the final number can move when USDA publishes its annual estimate.
Precision tools pay most on Nebraska corn where water and nitrogen are the biggest variable costs. Variable-rate irrigation and soil-moisture-based scheduling on center pivots cut pumping on lighter soils, while zone-based nitrogen keeps rates matched to yield potential across mixed upland and bottomland fields. At the current national price of $4.45/bu, every 5 bu/acre recovered is worth about $22 per acre, or roughly $22,000 on a 1,000-acre operation before input savings. Those savings from fewer overlapped passes and trimmed fertilizer rates often cover the technology cost within the first season.
Precision ag platforms used by Nebraska Corn farmers
Overview of major platforms — features and fit for different operation sizes. No sponsored content.
Precision ag ROI calculator
Estimate annual savings for your Nebraska Corn 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 — Nebraska Corn
Why does Nebraska corn usually yield above the US average?
A large share of Nebraska corn is irrigated, which protects yields in dry summers that hurt rain-fed states. The 2026 October forecast of 188 bu/acre is 6.8 bu/acre above the US average of 181.2 bu/acre.
Is the 2026 Nebraska corn yield final?
No. The 188 bu/acre figure is USDA's October forecast, and USDA can revise it in later forecasts. The final estimate is published in the Crop Production Annual Summary in January.
Which precision ag practices pay back fastest on Nebraska corn?
Variable-rate irrigation, soil-moisture-based pivot scheduling and zone-based nitrogen usually pay back fastest because water and fertilizer are the largest variable costs. On fields with mixed soils, yield maps help decide where variable-rate seeding is worth it.
Can Nebraska corn growers get USDA cost-share for precision equipment?
Yes. EQIP pays about 75% of the typical cost of eligible practices such as irrigation water management and nutrient management, and about 90% for historically underserved producers. Applications go through the local NRCS Service Center and are ranked by state priorities.