Arkansas Soybeans Yield & Precision Agriculture Data 2026
Arkansas Soybeans yield is forecast at 59.0 bu/acre for 2026 (USDA Oct forecast) — about 5.9 bu/ac above the US average of 53.1 bu/ac. State-level estimates, sourced directly from USDA NASS.
Soybeans yield trend
Arkansas vs the US average, 2020–2026 (7 years of USDA NASS data)
| Year | Arkansas (bu/ac) | US average (bu/ac) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 51.5 | 51 |
| 2021 | 52 | 51.7 |
| 2022 | 52 | 49.6 |
| 2023 | 54 | 50.6 |
| 2024 | 55 | 50.7 |
| 2025 | 55 | 53 |
| 2026 | 59 | 53.1 |
How Arkansas compares
Top Soybeans-producing states, 2026 yield
| State | Yield (bu/ac) | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 68 | +28.1% |
| Indiana | 63 | +18.6% |
| Iowa | 63 | +18.6% |
| Ohio | 62 | +16.8% |
| Arkansas | 59 | +11.1% |
| Mississippi | 59 | +11.1% |
| Nebraska | 59 | +11.1% |
| Louisiana | 55 | +3.6% |
What this data means for Arkansas Soybeans farmers
Arkansas soybean yield is forecast at 59 bu/acre for 2026 in USDA's October forecast, up 4 bu/acre from 55 bu/acre in 2025. That is 5.9 bu/acre above the US average of 53.1 bu/acre. The seven-season history starts at 51.5 bu/acre in 2020, so the forecast would be the highest in that window. The number remains a forecast, and USDA can revise it.
On Arkansas soybeans, irrigation and field-level variability drive the margin. Furrow-irrigation sensors and flow monitoring cut pumping on fields that do not need another set, while variable-rate seeding avoids overspending on seed in weaker zones. At the current national price of $12.10/bu, an additional 2 bu/acre is worth about $24 per acre, or roughly $24,000 on 1,000 acres. Water and energy savings come on top of that.
Precision ag platforms used by Arkansas Soybeans farmers
Overview of major platforms — features and fit for different operation sizes. No sponsored content.
Precision ag ROI calculator
Estimate annual savings for your Arkansas Soybeans 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 — Arkansas Soybeans
How does Arkansas soybean yield compare with the US average?
The October forecast of 59 bu/acre is 5.9 bu/acre above the US average of 53.1 bu/acre. Arkansas has been at or above 51.5 bu/acre in each of the last seven seasons.
Is the 2026 Arkansas soybean yield final?
No. It is USDA's October forecast and may change before the final estimate is published.
What is the return on precision tools for Arkansas soybeans?
At $12.10/bu, each additional 2 bu/acre is worth about $24 per acre. Irrigation monitoring and variable-rate seeding are practical ways to earn it.
Which USDA programs can help Arkansas soybean growers?
EQIP offers cost-share of about 75% of typical practice cost, or about 90% for historically underserved producers. Local NRCS Service Centers take applications and explain which practices qualify.