Largest-Ever Combined Corn & Soy Planted Acreage

U.S. farmers planted a record amount of corn and soybeans in the 2026/27 season, USDA reported this week. Combined planted acreage of the two crops reached 183.5 million acres, more than 3 million acres higher than the previous combined crop record. The record was reflected in this week’s Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates reports from USDA, which found an additional 1.4 million planted acres for both corn and soybeans, increasing the corn crop slightly and boosting the soybean crop to the largest in U.S. history, reports Progressive Farmer. Farm Futures reports that while USDA didn’t provide specifics on reasons behind the higher corn and soybean acres, it’s likely that acreage certification data collected by USDA’s Farm Service and Risk Management agencies in recent weeks showed farmers planted more of both crops than what was forecast in June. 

Crop Tour Starts Next Week

The Pro Farmer Crop Tour returns August 17-20, giving the agriculture industry an early look at the potential size of this year’s corn and soybean crops. For more than 30 years, the annual tour has provided an independent assessment of crop conditions ahead of harvest. More than 100 scouts will travel through seven major corn and soybean-producing states, collecting data from more than 2,000 fields in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota. The tour will be divided into eastern and western routes before both groups conclude in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 20. Daily results will include field observations, yield estimates and historical comparisons. Coverage will be available through AgWeb, AgDay, AgriTalk, U.S. Farm Report and social media, along with nightly meetings that can be attended in person or viewed online. The tour comes as producers and markets look for updated insight into crop potential weeks before harvest gets underway.

Wheat Harvest Picks Up Steam

The Hard Red Winter wheat harvest is nearly complete, with less than 10% remaining, and the crop continues to grade U.S. No. 1, according to the U.S. Wheat Associates’ Harvest Report. Attention in the southern region is shifting to fall planting, but severe drought remains a concern. Soft White wheat harvest also advanced this week under favorable conditions, with generally good yields and test weights. However, lower protein and falling numbers are being monitored in some areas. Harvest of Hard Red Spring wheat is picking up speed, with about one-quarter of the crop now harvested. Early reports point to encouraging yields and strong protein levels, although conditions vary across the Northern Plains. Northern Durum harvest is also ahead of normal, but heat and drought are reducing yield potential. USDA estimates total U.S. wheat production at 1.53 billion bushels, down 23% from last year.

Sales of Agricultural Tractors & Combines Decline

U.S. sales of agricultural tractors dropped nearly 11% in July 2026 compared to the year before, with combine sales declining more than 5% in the same period. This is according to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Canadian agricultural tractor sales fell nearly 8% in July, while combine sales declined almost 11% compared to July 2025. “The July data reflects continued softness in the agricultural equipment market as farmers and equipment manufacturers navigate persistent economic uncertainty,” says AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades. “Farmers continue to face difficult decisions, and clear, consistent policy direction is essential to helping them plan, invest, and remain competitive.” AEM releases United States Ag Tractor and Combine reports monthly. The reports compile the previous month's sales for tractors and combines.

Kansas City Diamonds Help Put E15 in the Spotlight

A new women’s professional softball league is helping put ethanol fuel in front of fans across the country. The Renewable Fuels Association partnered with the Kansas City Diamonds during the league’s inaugural season as the team’s official fuel and patch sponsor. The Diamonds finished second in both the regular season and postseason, while E15 promotions appeared on uniforms, at the ballpark, fuel pumps, and television broadcasts. Several ethanol industry groups and businesses helped fund the campaign, including three regional ethanol plants. Robert White, senior vice president for industry relations and market development with RFA, says the partnership helped introduce more consumers to E15, with players even reporting that their families had started using the fuel. Television exposure also extended the campaign beyond the Kansas City area. RFA plans to continue the partnership next season as the league expands. White says the strategy is to target niche audiences and use smaller, focused campaigns to build awareness of ethanol.

NCGA Pushes to Better Track Bioeconomy Growth

The National Corn Growers Association filed comments this week with the Office of Management and Budget, encouraging the agency to reconsider updates recommended by one of its committees to more directly capture the economic impact of the emerging bioeconomy. “While growth in this sector has made significant contributions to rural America and the overall U.S. economy, measuring its true scope and value cannot be achieved without the industry-specific classifications,” says Ohio farmer and NCGA President Jed Bower. “Quantifying the impact of uses such as sustainable aviation fuel, bioplastics, renewable chemicals and other new uses helps show the potential economic impact of expanding these markets.” The continued growth of the U.S. bioeconomy depends on the ability to accurately measure it to provide important signals to policymakers, investors and analysts, says NCGA. Industries rely on federal statistics from OMB for market research, measuring their economic impact and identifying new market opportunities. 

Friday Watch List

Markets

Friday looks to be a quiet trading session for reports with no major releases due during trading hours. However, after the close USDA's Economic Research Service will release their monthly commodity outlooks at 2 p.m. CDT. Then at 2:30 p.m. CDT, the CFTC will wrap up the week with the Commitments of Traders report, updating positions as of Tuesday, August 11.

Weather

A string of showers and thunderstorms is found from Nebraska into Ohio early Friday morning, which has been producing heavy rain since the overnight. A smaller system is moving into the Northern Plains, spreading some showers there into the Canadian Prairies. Both zones remain active throughout the day with some concerns for flooding and severe weather in the Midwest.