Indiana Harvested Record Number of Corn and Soybeans in 2023

Jan 17, 2024

By Clayton Baumgarth

On Friday the USDA released its January World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, which announced record yields in the nation’s corn crop production.

Average corn yields hit a record 177.3 bushels per acre with a total production of 15.34 billion bushels. Soybean yields were high but not record breaking, with a national average of 50.6 bushels per acre and a total production of 4.17 billion bushels reported.

In Indiana, Hoosier producers had record yields for corn and soybeans at 203 and 61 bushels per acre respectively.

Todd Davis, chief economist for the Indiana Farm Bureau, said the records were possible, despite challenging dryness, thanks to timely rains.

“You might hear farmers talking about million-dollar rains,” he said. “And we had those timely rains that helped the crops develop.”

Davis said strong crop genetics were another key factor that helped with overall crop yields.

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Video: Veteran Farmers: A Legacy of Service in Rural America

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have selflessly protected our freedoms and values. And for some, the transition from military service to civilian life brings them back to the farm.

At Farm Bureau, we believe it’s important to not only celebrate veterans but also those who continue to make a difference in agriculture and their community. We've partnered with Farm Credit to establish the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence to shine a light on those who have continued to go above and beyond to serve their communities.

This year, we recognize retired Colonel Joe Ricker as the inaugural Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence winner. Joe served over 30 years in the Army before retiring from the Pentagon and completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, his commitment to excellence in farming and enriching the lives of veterans has blossomed in a myriad of ways in both his local community of Wilkinson, Indiana, and across the country. Joe grows apples and raises bees on his farm in Indiana. Joe founded “Veterans IN Farming,” an organization, now with more than 1,100 members, dedicated to providing veterans in Indiana with the tools and training to succeed in agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization, comprised of and directed by farm and ranch families who engage in all types of food, fuel and fiber production.