Alabama Corn Yield & Precision Agriculture Data 2026
Alabama Corn yield is forecast at 155.0 bu/acre for 2026 (USDA Oct forecast) — 26.2 bu/ac below the US average of 181.2 bu/ac. State-level estimates, sourced directly from USDA NASS.
Corn yield trend
Alabama vs the US average, 2020–2026 (7 years of USDA NASS data)
| Year | Alabama (bu/ac) | US average (bu/ac) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 158 | 171.4 |
| 2021 | 163 | 176.7 |
| 2022 | 118 | 173.4 |
| 2023 | 164 | 177.3 |
| 2024 | 112 | 179.3 |
| 2025 | 152 | 186.5 |
| 2026 | 155 | 181.2 |
How Alabama compares
Top Corn-producing states, 2026 yield
| State | Yield (bu/ac) | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 229 | +26.4% |
| Iowa | 219 | +20.9% |
| Illinois | 208 | +14.8% |
| Indiana | 200 | +10.4% |
| Ohio | 200 | +10.4% |
| Mississippi | 196 | +8.2% |
| Minnesota | 195 | +7.6% |
| Idaho | 194 | +7.1% |
What this data means for Alabama Corn farmers
Alabama corn yield is forecast at 155 bu/acre for 2026 in USDA's October forecast, up 3 bu/acre from the 2025 result of 152 bu/acre. It still sits 26.2 bu/acre below the US average of 181.2 bu/acre. Over the last seven seasons the state has swung from 112 bu/acre in 2024 to 164 bu/acre in 2023, a sign of how much rainfall timing and heat affect Alabama dryland corn. Because 155 bu/acre is a forecast, USDA can revise it before the final estimate.
Precision tools earn their keep in Alabama by narrowing the gap in bad years, not only by lifting good ones. Zone-based nitrogen and variable-rate seeding help match inputs to the soil variability within a field, and soil-moisture sensing shows where stress hits first. At the current national price of $4.45/bu, recovering 5 bu/acre is worth about $22 per acre, or roughly $22,000 on 1,000 acres. Avoiding a single 2024-style shortfall would matter far more than any small gain in an average year.
Precision ag platforms used by Alabama Corn farmers
Overview of major platforms — features and fit for different operation sizes. No sponsored content.
Precision ag ROI calculator
Estimate annual savings for your Alabama Corn 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 — Alabama Corn
Why is Alabama corn yield below the US average?
The October forecast of 155 bu/acre is 26.2 bu/acre under the US average of 181.2 bu/acre. Alabama corn is mostly rain-fed, and the state's yields have ranged from 112 to 164 bu/acre over seven seasons, so dry or hot spells pull the average down.
Is the 2026 Alabama corn yield final?
No. The 155 bu/acre figure is USDA's October forecast and can change in later reports. Treat it as an estimate until USDA publishes the final number.
How can precision agriculture pay off for Alabama corn?
Variable-rate nitrogen and seeding reduce waste on uneven fields, and soil-moisture data helps time inputs around stress. At $4.45/bu, each 5 bu/acre gained or protected is worth about $22 per acre.
Are there USDA programs that help Alabama corn growers adopt precision tools?
Yes. EQIP offers cost-share, about 75% of typical practice cost for most producers and about 90% for historically underserved producers. Eligible practices such as nutrient management can support variable-rate application, and applications go through the local NRCS Service Center.