🌽 Comparing U.S. Corn Yields to Wheat and Soybean (1866–2023)

What We’re Showing

A chart tracing the U.S. yields of corn, wheat, and soybean through the last century, measured in bushels per acre. Data sourced from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The Corny American Love Story

• The U.S. really is corn country: it’s the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of the crop.
• For the first half of the 20th century however, corn yields remained range-bound between 20–30 bushels per acre.
• Then, there were two corn miracles. First, the introduction of a drought resistant variety of corn (1940s). Next came the introduction of fertilizer, pesticides, and mechanized agriculture (1950s).
• Since then, corn yields have climbed at a rate of roughly 1.9 bushel/acre, per year.

Why Are Corn Yields So Much Higher?

• Corn attracts significant investment for its varied uses: in animal feed, biofuel production, and the creation of high-fructose corn syrup.
• This investment funds research to improve yields.
• As a result, the U.S. produces 4x more corn than soybeans on roughly the same amount of land.