Corn Increases from 75 Million Acres in the 1990s to 95 Million Acres Today

By Andi Anderson

Corn acreage increased from about 75 million acres in the mid 1990s to roughly 95 million acres in recent years. Soybean acreage also expanded, rising from 66 million acres to more than 84 million acres. In contrast, acres planted to wheat, barley, oats, cotton, and sorghum declined sharply.

Corn and soybeans have become the foundation of modern agriculture in the United States. Corn is the leading grain crop, while soybeans are the primary oilseed.

Over several decades, more farmland has shifted toward these two crops, especially when compared with grains such as wheat, barley, oats, rye, rice, and sorghum.

Since the mid 1990s, market forces have played a larger role in crop planting decisions. Changes began after the 1996 Farm Bill removed most acreage restrictions, allowing farmers greater flexibility.

Corn and soybeans now dominate U.S. crop production. Together, they account for more than seventy percent of major crop acres and more than half of all field crop acres. In the early twentieth century, their share was much smaller. This strong growth reflects both economic opportunity and steady improvements in productivity.

Among grain crops, corn has shown the greatest yield improvement. Compared with average yields from the early 1930s, today’s corn yields are more than eight times higher.

Other grains have improved as well, but at a slower pace. Higher corn yields have made it a lower cost and more competitive option for livestock feed and ethanol production, while crops like wheat are increasingly used for specialized food products.

Several factors explain corn’s yield advantage. Corn hybrid breeding has been widely used for decades, and it is the only major grain with broad use of biotechnology traits. These advances have allowed corn to outpace other grains in efficiency and output.

Other crops show different trends. Soybeans expanded from a minor crop in the 1930s to one of the most important U.S. exports today. While soybean yields have increased more slowly than corn, they continue to improve steadily. Cotton and peanut acreage has declined, and their yield growth has slowed in recent years.

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