2019 Corn Production by State Bushels: Top States Ranked – Comprehensive Data, Trends & Future Insights

Corn Production Overview: 2019–2021

Corn production remains an indomitable cornerstone of the United States economy, underpinning both domestic food supply and global export markets. The period between 2019 and 2021 illuminates remarkable trends, with the U.S. consistently maintaining its position as the world’s largest corn producer. Volumes during these years fluctuated, influenced by weather conditions, technological advancements, and market dynamics.

• In 2019, total U.S. corn production was about 13.6 billion bushels.
• In 2020, production rose to about 14.1 billion bushels (USDA NASS).
• In 2021, output rose again to about 15.1 billion bushels (USDA NASS, January 2022 estimate).

This analyzing of 2019 2020 2021 corn production by state bushels offers critical insights for agriculture, supporting farmers, agribusiness stakeholders, and policymakers in enabling informed decisions that shape the future of food, feed, biofuel, and international trade.

“From 2019–2021, Illinois and Nebraska consistently ranked among the top three corn-producing states in America.”

2019 Corn Production by State Bushels Ranking: Top States Explained

The 2019 corn production by state bushels ranking highlights the prominent role of the Corn Belt—a region stretching from Iowa to Illinois—consistently home to America’s top corn-producing states. The following hierarchy, based on bushels produced, reveals this dominance:

1. Iowa:
   
   Approximately 2.58 billion bushels produced in 2019.
   Iowa’s rich, fertile soils and intensive agricultural practices cemented its place as the national leader. Iowa’s agricultural output is a cornerstone of both domestic food supply and global export channels.
   
2. Illinois:
   
   About 1.85 billion bushels in 2019, rising to 2.12 billion in 2020.
   Illinois benefits from excellent weather and advanced farming infrastructure, consistently placing it in the top ranks year after year.
   
3. Nebraska:
   
   About 1.79 billion bushels in 2019.
   With robust irrigation systems and extensive acreage, Nebraska remains a steady bastion in corn output.
   
4. Minnesota:
   
   About 1.25 billion bushels in 2019.
   Minnesota’s massive output reinforces its importance as a Midwestern agricultural hub with growing corn production.
   
5. Indiana:
   
   About 815 million bushels in 2019.
   Through steady acreage and significant yield improvements, Indiana secures its position in the top five.
   

Corn Production Trends (2019–2021): Insights & Dynamics Across Leading States

Trends from 2019 to 2021 in state-level corn production highlight both persistence and emerging volatility within the sector:

• Iowa:
  • 2019: Maintained its leading position; production levels were robust.
  • 2020: Production fell to about 2.28 billion bushels.
  • 2021: Recovered to about 2.55 billion bushels.
• Illinois:
  • 2019–2020: Saw a surge in output due to excellent climatic conditions and infrastructure.
  • 2021: Rose again, to about 2.19 billion bushels.
• Nebraska:
  • 2019–2020: Steady at about 1.78 billion bushels, supported by extensive irrigation.
  • 2021: Rose to about 1.85 billion bushels.
• Minnesota & Indiana:
  • 2019–2020: Consistent increases in bushels produced, underpinning their status in the top five.
  • 2021: Minnesota slipped to about 1.40 billion bushels, while Indiana rose to about 1.03 billion.
• South Dakota, Ohio, Missouri:
  • Minor yet steady increases in corn production, contributing to the broader resilience of Midwest agriculture.
  • These states exemplify diversification within the corn production zones, spreading risk and stabilizing national output.

Technological advancements (like satellite-driven monitoring) and modern crop varieties have consistently boosted yield potential, even as climate volatility emerges as a primary limiting factor.

Ranked Comparative Data Table: 2019–2021 State Corn Production

To provide a clear, structured comparison, the table below ranks top U.S. states by corn production for 2019 and shows trends through 2020 and 2021. This format supports targeted analysis for farmers, agribusiness, and policymakers seeking corn production by state data-driven insights.

Data Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates, 2019–2021.

Corn Production by State, 2019 to 2021 (USDA Figures)

The table below replaces our earlier figures, several of which were wrong. These are USDA’s state estimates in million bushels, from the Crop Production 2021 Summary (January 2022). The ten states shown were the largest producers in 2019.

Three points stand out. Iowa led every year, though its crop fell in 2020 before recovering in 2021. Illinois and Nebraska held second and third place throughout. Ohio, South Dakota and Indiana grew fastest over the period, with Ohio up about 53% from its low 2019 crop.

Critical Factors Influencing State-Level Corn Production

While the corn production hierarchy has remained steady over the past years, it’s vital to recognize the underlying factors driving these trends—essential for industry stakeholders, analysts, and farmers navigating growing challenges and opportunities.

• ✔ Soil Quality: The fertility of soils in states like Iowa and Illinois is a significant driver, supporting intensive farming and high yields.
• ✔ Weather & Climate Variability: Droughts, excessive rainfall, and variable climate conditions can either advance or limit annual production goals—an increasingly prominent consideration.
• ✔ Acreage Utilization: The availability and management of suitable agricultural land directly correlate with bushel outputs, particularly in regions with expanding or retracting farmland.
• ✔ Infrastructure: Advanced transportation and storage systems—common in the leading states—enable more efficient movement of crops to both domestic food processors and global export markets.
• ✔ Technological Adoption: States advancing in precision agriculture, satellite monitoring, and drought-resistant hybrids consistently outperform peers in yield growth.

Comprehending these dynamics is critical for shaping sustainable strategies, maximizing resilience amid unpredictable environmental impacts, and supporting steady economic growth.

Technological Advancements and Modern Farming Practices

The agricultural sector has witnessed a significant acceleration in technology adoption from 2019–2021. Innovations such as satellite-based crop monitoring, AI-driven resource allocation, and blockchain traceability have transformed how corn production is managed:

• 📡 Satellite Monitoring: Real-time data supports in-season decisions by monitoring crop health, soil moisture, and identifying stress zones.
• 🤖 AI-Based Weather and Yield Forecasting: Machine learning models predict variable weather impacts, optimize harvest timing, and refine yield estimates.
• 🌱 Genetically Modified Hybrids: Engineered corn varieties offer greater resistance to drought and pests, ensuring steadier outputs even in challenging conditions.
• ⛲ Advanced Irrigation Systems: Technologies such as drip and pivot irrigation reduce water consumption while sustaining yield in key states like Nebraska and Kansas.
• 🔒 Blockchain Traceability: Enhances supply chain transparency for both domestic food supply and international trade.

As climate volatility challenges the industry, such advancements remain vital for the industry’s future, providing critical benefits like resource optimization and loss prevention.

To harness these technological shifts, we recommend exploring affordable, scalable solutions from providers like Farmonaut. Their Large Scale Farm Management platform offers state-of-the-art monitoring and management tools tailored for agribusiness and government agencies.

Implications for 2025 and Beyond: Trends & Projections in Corn Production

Understanding corn production by state trends is more than a data exercise—it is about identifying challenges and shaping future policies. Based on the last three years of fluctuating bushel volumes, several key insights lead the way toward the next frontier:

• 🔁 Supply Chain Resilience: The cornerstone of agriculture is consistent production from leading states (Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska) to maintain domestic supply and global export commitments.
• 🌱 Sustainability & Climate Adaptation: Future strategies will focus resources on soil health, introducing drought-resistant varieties, and improving irrigation efficiency to buffer against variable weather impacts.
• 🏗️ Infrastructure Development: Upgrading storage, transport, and digital monitoring networks ensures efficient crop movement from field to market, especially vital for maximizing returns and limiting loss.
• 📈 Policy & Subsidy Strategies: Policymakers can leverage recent production data to develop targeted subsidies and insurance models supporting vulnerable states and farmers.
• 💡 Embracing Advanced Analytics: Satellite-driven analytics will become mainstream, further integrating data-based decision making into everyday agriculture.

This forward-looking approach fosters resilience, sustainability, and higher profitability—benefiting stakeholders alike from individual farmers to major agribusinesses and global consumers.

How Farmonaut Supports Corn Production & Agricultural Insights

At Farmonaut, we believe in empowering agriculture for the 21st century. Our satellite-based monitoring capabilities deliver critical data on crop health, soil conditions, and environmental risk factors, ensuring users have real-time insights to protect and optimize corn output.

• 🌍 Global Accessibility – Our mobile and web platforms make satellite insights available to farmers and businesses worldwide.
• 🔗 API Integration – Developers and companies can harness our API and developer docs to build tailored applications, enhancing enterprise-scale operations.
• ⚡ Real-Time Monitoring – Parameters such as NDVI, crop moisture, and stress alerts help stakeholders make informed, timely decisions.
• ☁️ AI & Weather Forecasts – Our Jeevn AI delivers localized guidance for resource allocation and risk management.
• 🌐 Blockchain-based Traceability – Ideal for agribusinesses and supply chain management. Learn more about traceability solutions.

Whether you operate at the field, business, or policy level, Farmonaut offers affordable, scalable solutions to help you achieve higher yields, optimized resource use, and greater market transparency.

Interested in sustainable agriculture? See our carbon footprinting tools for environmental impact tracking and compliance.

Explore Large Scale Farm Management Solutions →

Key Insights, Pro Tips & Investor Notes: Corn Production & Market Opportunities

Visual Lists & Bullet Highlights: Trends, Benefits & Risks

🚀 Key Benefits of Analyzing Corn Production by State Bushels Ranking

• ✔ Data-driven Decisions improve field operations, farm profitability, and resource allocation for all stakeholders.
• ✔ Market Transparency helps identify top producing states and anticipate supply or export shifts.
• ✔ Climate Response plans are tailored based on recent production volatility and weather patterns.
• ✔ Policy Optimization by leveraging state-level historical data for effective subsidy and insurance design.
• ✔ Competitive Benchmarking for agribusiness and investment decisions in the evolving agri-sector.

📊 Data Insights from 2019 2020 2021 Corn Production by State Bushels

• 📊 Nebraska’s output rose about 4% from 2019 to 2021, holding third place each year.
• 📊 Ohio saw the largest relative growth among the top 10, about 53%, followed by South Dakota at about 33%.
• 📊 Indiana’s output rose about 26%, from 815 million to 1.03 billion bushels.
• 📊 Wisconsin and Minnesota both sustained output, demonstrating effective adaptation strategies.
• 📊 Kansas and Colorado exhibited output volatility reflecting regional droughts and irrigated versus non-irrigated cropping zones.

🌾 Top Industry Trends to Watch Through 2025

• 🌍 Remote Monitoring and automation will become standard in large-scale farm management.
• 🌱 Carbon Certification—Increased demand from buyers for proof of low carbon footprint production, powered by platforms like Farmonaut’s carbon footprinting tools.
• 🔗 Enhanced Traceability from field-to-exporter using blockchain, a must-have for premium and regulated markets.
• 🛡️ Insurance Integration of satellite-based monitoring for faster, more reliable claim assessment.
• 💰 Investment in Storage & Transport Infrastructure to match rising and fluctuating output.

Number of farms by state

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 1,900,487 US farms, down 6.9% from 2017, with an average size of 463 acres (USDA NASS). Texas had more than twice as many farms as the next state.

The next census covers 2027. Until then, NASS Quick Stats has these counts by state and county.

Which State Produces the Most Corn? Latest USDA Ranking

Iowa produces the most corn of any US state. In USDA’s final estimate for the 2025 crop, released in January 2026, Iowa harvested about 2.77 billion bushels, ahead of Illinois at 2.35 billion (USDA NASS). The top five states grew about 9.9 billion bushels between them, well over half of the national crop.

Source: USDA NASS, January 12, 2026 crop production briefing. The 2025 US crop was a record, beating the previous high set in 2023 by about 1.7 billion bushels (USDA ERS Feed Outlook, January 2026).

In 2025 Illinois had the higher yield per acre, 214 bushels against 210, but Iowa harvested about 2.2 million more acres, so it led on total bushels. Nebraska, third, relies heavily on irrigation. USDA publishes the final state figures for the 2026 crop in January 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Started with Farmonaut: Tools & Resources for Modern Corn Producers

Join us at Farmonaut to transform how you monitor, analyze, and manage corn production. Discover solutions for crop and soil monitoring, carbon footprinting, supply chain traceability, fleet management, and environmental monitoring—all designed to support agricultural growth and advance your operations through the coming years.

See our Large Scale Farm Management App for agri-business and government monitoring, or explore crop and forest advisory for sustainable land use strategies.

Together, let’s embrace the future of data-driven corn production and sustainable agriculture!