Tennessee Wheat Yield & Precision Agriculture Data 2026
Tennessee Wheat yield reached 77.0 bu/acre in 2026 — about 28.9 bu/ac above the US average of 48.1 bu/ac. State-level estimates, sourced directly from USDA NASS.
Wheat yield trend
Tennessee vs the US average, 2020–2026 (7 years of USDA NASS data)
| Year | Tennessee (bu/ac) | US average (bu/ac) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 59 | 49.7 |
| 2021 | 71 | 44.3 |
| 2022 | 73 | 46.5 |
| 2023 | 80 | 48.7 |
| 2024 | 75 | 51.2 |
| 2025 | 74 | 53.3 |
| 2026 | 77 | 48.1 |
How Tennessee 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 Tennessee Wheat farmers
Tennessee wheat growers closed out 2026 with a final USDA-estimated yield of 77 bushels per acre, a 3 bu/acre improvement over the 74 bu/acre recorded in 2025 and the second-highest output in the past seven years, trailing only the 80 bu/acre peak reached in 2023. Zooming out across the full history, yields have climbed from 59 bu/acre in 2020 to 77 bu/acre in 2026, a gain of 18 bushels that reflects both improved agronomic management and favorable seasonal conditions across much of that span. At 77 bu/acre, Tennessee wheat production outpaces the national average of 48.1 bu/acre by a substantial 28.9 bushels, a performance gap that consistently places the state among the higher-yielding winter wheat regions in the country. With the current USDA NASS national price received at $6.23 per bushel, that yield advantage over the US average translates to roughly $180 in additional gross revenue per acre before input costs are considered.
Precision agriculture tools offer Tennessee wheat producers a concrete pathway to protect and extend that margin. Variable-rate nitrogen application, guided by soil sampling grids and canopy sensors, typically reduces fertilizer spend by 10 to 15 percent while maintaining or slightly lifting yields; on a 77 bu/acre field priced at $6.23, even a one-bushel yield gain from optimized timing adds $6.23 per acre, and eliminating $15 to $25 per acre in excess fertilizer cost stacks directly onto net returns. Drone-assisted scouting for diseases like stripe rust and powdery mildew allows targeted fungicide applications rather than blanket treatments, potentially saving $12 to $18 per acre in chemistry costs while preserving yield quality. Across a 500-acre wheat operation, combining these practices can realistically generate $13,000 to $22,000 in improved margin annually, making precision investment a straightforward calculation for growers already achieving above-average yields.
Precision ag platforms used by Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 — Tennessee Wheat
Why does Tennessee wheat yield 77 bu/acre compared to the US average of only 48.1 bu/acre?
Tennessee benefits from a longer growing season, well-distributed rainfall averaging 50-60 inches annually, and fertile limestone-based soils in the central basin that support strong winter wheat development. The state's mild winters reduce winterkill risk while its clay-loam soils retain moisture and nutrients more effectively than many Great Plains wheat-producing regions. Adoption of high-yielding soft red winter wheat varieties specifically adapted to the Mid-South climate also contributes significantly to this 28.9 bu/acre advantage over the national average.
What is the potential revenue advantage for a Tennessee wheat farmer using precision ag technology at current prices?
At $6.23 per bushel, Tennessee's 77 bu/acre yield generates approximately $479.71 per acre in gross revenue, compared to $299.66 per acre at the US average yield of 48.1 bu/acre. Precision agriculture tools such as variable-rate fertilizer application, yield mapping, and soil EC sensing can help Tennessee growers protect and optimize this $180 per acre revenue premium. Targeted input management also reduces input costs by 10-15%, further improving net margins on high-performing Tennessee wheat acres.
What USDA programs are available to Tennessee wheat farmers to support yield monitoring and crop insurance?
Tennessee wheat producers can access USDA's Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, with PLC being particularly relevant when wheat prices fall below the $5.50 per bushel reference price established in the Farm Bill. The USDA Risk Management Agency offers Yield Protection and Revenue Protection crop insurance policies calibrated to Tennessee's historically strong county yields, which can lock in coverage based on the state's elevated yield benchmarks. Additionally, USDA's EQIP program provides cost-share funding for precision agriculture infrastructure including soil sampling, GPS guidance systems, and variable-rate technology adoption.
What local growing conditions in Tennessee should agronomists monitor to sustain wheat yields above 75 bu/acre?
Agronomists managing Tennessee wheat should closely monitor Fusarium head blight (scab) pressure, which is elevated in Tennessee's humid environment and can dramatically reduce both yield and grain quality through vomitoxin contamination. Timely fungicide applications at anthesis, combined with precision tissue sampling to optimize nitrogen topdress timing in late February through March, are critical management decisions in the state's variable spring weather. Soil pH maintenance above 6.0, particularly in West Tennessee's more acidic soils, is essential to sustaining the nutrient availability that supports yields at or above Tennessee's current 77 bu/acre benchmark.