Michigan farmers are expected to harvest less corn but more soybeans this year, according to a new federal crop forecast that points to mixed results across the state’s major field crops.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts Michigan corn production at 337.4 million bushels in 2026. That would be about 15.1 million bushels below last year’s crop, a decline of 4.3%.

USDA expects farmers to harvest 1.95 million acres of corn for grain, down from 1.98 million acres in 2025. The average yield is forecast at 173 bushels per acre. Michigan farmers averaged 178 bushels per acre last year.

Lower Yields Expected

The September estimate also lowered the state’s expected corn yield by one bushel from USDA’s August forecast. The change suggests that late-summer field conditions may have reduced the crop’s potential as it moved toward maturity.

The outlook is more favorable for soybeans. Michigan soybean production is forecast at 105.1 million bushels, up from 100.4 million bushels last year. That represents an increase of about 4.7%.

The larger soybean crop is driven by additional acreage rather than higher yields. Farmers are expected to harvest 2.19 million acres, compared with 2.07 million acres in 2025. The projected yield is 48 bushels per acre, down slightly from last year’s 48.5 bushels.

USDA reduced Michigan’s expected soybean yield from 50 bushels per acre in August to 48 bushels in the September report. Even with that reduction, the increase in harvested acres is expected to produce a larger statewide crop.

Huron County Expects Rise in Soy

The estimates are particularly important in the Upper Thumb, where corn and soybeans cover large portions of Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties. Harvest size can affect farm income, grain storage demand, transportation activity and business at local elevators.

Michigan’s sugar beet forecast provides another important measure for the region. USDA expects farmers to harvest 136,000 acres of sugar beets, up from 133,300 acres last year. Production is forecast at 3.82 million tons, nearly unchanged from the 3.81 million tons harvested in 2025.

The average sugar beet yield is expected to reach 28.1 tons per acre. That is below last year’s 28.6 tons but higher than the 27.7-ton-per-acre forecast in August. Much of Michigan’s sugar beet acreage lies in the Thumb and Saginaw Valley, where the crop supports growers, truckers and processing operations.

The report also noted that August rainfall was below normal in parts of the Great Lakes region. However, the national summary does not provide sufficient local detail to attribute Michigan’s revised yields to a single weather event or growing condition.

USDA developed the September estimates using farm-operator surveys conducted from Aug. 25 through Sept. 7. The agency also uses field measurements and historical production patterns to forecast yields for corn, soybeans, and other crops.

The figures remain forecasts and may change as harvest progresses. Weather, crop disease, field losses and final measured yields could move production above or below the September estimates.

For Upper Thumb farmers, the report sets a statewide benchmark rather than a final verdict. Local results may vary considerably by soil, planting date, and summer rainfall. Updated federal estimates and final production totals will provide a clearer picture after more crops leave the fields.

Primary source: USDA Crop Production Report, September 2026