The 2025 U.S. soybean harvest has produced a national yield of 53.0 bushels per acre, marking the first record yield since 2016 and closing a nine-year gap between record seasons. This year’s national output slightly surpasses the 25-year trend by just 0.1%, representing the first time U.S. soybean production has exceeded trend levels since 2021.
Despite the record-setting national yield, the results were uneven across major producing states. Out of the top 18 soybean-growing states, 10 recorded yields below their 25-year trend, with much of the Eastern Corn Belt and Delta regions affected by dry conditions in September and October. These dry spells trimmed potential output in the eastern half of the country, demonstrating how regional weather patterns continue to play a critical role in overall production.
In contrast, some of the larger producing states in the Western Corn Belt posted exceptionally strong yields. Iowa and Nebraska reached record yields, while Kansas recorded the largest increases both relative to the 25-year trend and compared with 2024 output. These robust results helped lift the national average despite shortfalls in the East.
Not all states shared in the record-breaking success. Kentucky posted its lowest soybean yield since 2010 at 36 bushels per acre, 34% below trend and down 25% from 2024, marking the most significant negative deviation among all states. Tennessee and North Carolina also recorded substantial yield declines, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of soybean production to regional weather variability.
Analysts note that while the national record is a significant milestone, it masks the stark differences between regions. The 2025 harvest underscores the importance of weather, soil conditions, and local management practices in shaping U.S. soybean production, even in years when the overall output sets a new benchmark.
This record yield provides optimism for U.S. soybean farmers, yet it also serves as a reminder of the challenges that can arise in specific states, reinforcing the need for adaptive strategies to manage regional variability in future crop seasons.
