New Jersey Wheat Yield & Precision Agriculture Data 2023
New Jersey Wheat yield reached 82.0 bu/acre in 2023 — about 33.3 bu/ac above the US average of 48.7 bu/ac. State-level estimates, sourced directly from USDA NASS.
Wheat yield trend
New Jersey vs the US average, 2020–2023 (4 years of USDA NASS data)
| Year | New Jersey (bu/ac) | US average (bu/ac) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 67 | 49.7 |
| 2021 | 67 | 44.3 |
| 2022 | 70 | 46.5 |
| 2023 | 82 | 48.7 |
How New Jersey compares
Top Wheat-producing states, 2023 yield
| State | Yield (bu/ac) | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 92 | +88.9% |
| Ohio | 90 | +84.8% |
| Kentucky | 88 | +80.7% |
| Illinois | 87 | +78.6% |
| Idaho | 86.1 | +76.8% |
| California | 86 | +76.6% |
| Michigan | 83 | +70.4% |
| New Jersey | 82 | +68.4% |
What this data means for New Jersey Wheat farmers
New Jersey wheat growers delivered a standout performance in 2023, with USDA's final estimate placing the state's average yield at 82 bushels per acre, up 12 bushels from the 70 recorded in 2022. That figure extends a steady upward climb from the 67 bushels per acre posted in both 2020 and 2021, suggesting improving agronomic conditions and management practices across the state. Most striking is how sharply New Jersey diverges from the national benchmark: at 82 bushels per acre, Garden State producers outpaced the US average of 48.7 bushels by 33.3 bushels, a premium of roughly 68 percent. With the current USDA NASS national price received sitting at $6.23 per bushel, that yield advantage translates directly into stronger gross revenue per acre compared to the typical American wheat operation.
Precision agriculture tools offer New Jersey growers a clear path to protecting and expanding those margins on a crop already performing well above national norms. Variable-rate nitrogen application guided by canopy sensors or soil sampling grids is particularly relevant here: fine-tuning inputs on a field-by-field basis can reduce fertilizer costs by $15 to $30 per acre while sustaining or improving yields, which at $6.23 per bushel means a grower maintaining 82 bushels per acre while cutting $20 in input costs nets an additional $20 in margin without sacrificing a single bushel. Prescription planting population maps and fungicide timing alerts tied to disease models address two other yield-robbing factors common in the Mid-Atlantic's humid spring conditions. Even a two-bushel-per-acre yield gain from better-timed fungicide application adds roughly $12.46 per acre to the bottom line, a return that typically covers the cost of digital scouting or advisory subscriptions many times over within a single season.
Precision ag platforms used by New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 — New Jersey Wheat
Why does New Jersey wheat yield 82 bu/acre compared to the US average of only 48.7 bu/acre?
New Jersey benefits from a humid continental climate with well-distributed rainfall and relatively mild winters that reduce winterkill risk for soft red winter wheat, the dominant class grown in the state. The state's naturally fertile soils, particularly in the Coastal Plain and central regions, combined with shorter growing distances to precision input suppliers, allow New Jersey farmers to apply timely, site-specific nutrient and fungicide programs that consistently push yields above the national average.
What is the potential revenue advantage per acre for a New Jersey wheat farmer compared to a US average producer?
At the current price of $6.23 per bushel, a New Jersey farmer yielding 82 bu/acre generates approximately $511 per acre in gross revenue, compared to roughly $303 per acre for a producer at the US average of 48.7 bu/acre. That $208 per acre revenue gap means precision agriculture investments in variable-rate seeding, soil sampling, and fungicide timing can deliver strong ROI when they protect or marginally increase that already elevated yield baseline.
Which USDA programs are most relevant for New Jersey wheat producers looking to protect their above-average yields?
New Jersey wheat growers should evaluate the USDA Risk Management Agency's Yield Protection and Revenue Protection crop insurance plans, which use county Average Production History and can reflect New Jersey's high yield environment when properly documented. Additionally, the USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) administered through the New Jersey NRCS office provides cost-share funding for precision agriculture practices such as soil health plans and nutrient management that directly support sustained high wheat yields.
What local growing conditions in New Jersey should agronomists monitor most closely to sustain 82 bu/acre wheat yields?
Fusarium head blight (scab) is the primary yield-limiting disease threat in New Jersey's humid environment, making precise fungicide application timing at anthesis critical to protecting grain quality and test weight in above-average yield years. Agronomists should also monitor soil pH and potassium levels closely, as high-yielding soft red winter wheat in New Jersey's sandy Coastal Plain soils can rapidly deplete potassium reserves, and variable-rate lime and fertility programs based on grid or zone soil sampling are essential to maintaining the nutrient supply that supports yields at this level.