Crops Feed Livestock, Power Exports, Fuel the Economy

By Faith Parum

Corn and soybeans may not often appear directly on your dinner plate, but they’re behind much of what does. From feeding the livestock that produce our eggs, meat and dairy to fueling global trade and renewable energy, these crops are foundational to sustaining American lifestyles. Despite common assumptions, only a small portion of row crop productions goes into direct-to-consumer processed foods. Understanding where these crops end up is key to recognizing the vital role America’s farmers play in feeding families at home and around the world.

While some assume U.S. farmers primarily grow crops destined for processed food products, corn and soybeans are mostly used to support livestock feed, fuel and global trade  economic drivers that deliver measurable value. The broader agricultural sector, covering farming, processing, distribution and retail, contributed over $1.5 trillion to U.S. gross domestic (GDP) product in 2023, representing roughly 5.5 % of the national economy. Crop and livestock commodity production alone contributed $222 billion in value-added products. Additionally, the agriculture sector directly supported over 22 million jobs in 2022, despite only about 2 million people working directly on farms.

Clarifying how U.S. crops are used supports more informed discussions on food policy, rural economic development and energy resilience.

Corn and Soybean Production at a Glance

In 2023, U.S. corn production was over 15.3 billion bushels, harvested from around 86.5 million acres, at an average yield of 177 bushels per acre. For the same year, soybean output reached 4.16 billion bushels across approximately 82 million acres, yielding about 50.6 bushels per acre. Many farmers rotate between corn and soybeans from year to year, so acreage can shift depending on market conditions, weather and other factors.

Corn and soybeans represent the second- and third-highest valued crop commodities in the U.S., following only cattle and calves in total agricultural cash receipts. The United States is also the world’s largest producer and exporter of corn and one of the top producers and exporters of soybeans, making these crops central to both domestic agriculture and global food and feed supply chains.

Production of both crops is centered in the Midwest. Iowa and Illinois lead acreage for corn, followed by Minnesota, Nebraska and Indiana. Together, these states produce over 60% of the U.S. corn volume. Soybean output is similarly dominated by Illinois and Iowa, with Minnesota, Indiana and Nebraska rounding out the top five. Together, these states produce nearly half of U.S. soybean volume.

Additionally, U.S. farmers grow corn and soybeans with exceptional scale and cost efficiency compared to historical benchmarks. Since 1990, average corn yields have increased by more than 50%, rising from 118.5 to 179.3 bushels per acre. Soybean yields have grown by nearly 49%, from 34.1 to 50.7 bushels per acre. These gains are the result of continued improvements in mechanization, seed genetics and precision agriculture. By producing more with fewer resources like land and water, farmers help ensure a steady and affordable supply of crops for feed, fuel and export markets. Without these yield gains, over 80 million more acres would be needed to grow the same amount of corn and soybeans produced today.

Where Do the Crops Go? Breaking Down Usage

The vast majority of corn is not consumed directly by people. USDA data shows around 35% of corn goes to animal feed and residual use, which includes small or untracked uses like seed, on-farm consumption, storage losses or other miscellaneous uses. Approximately 33% is used in ethanol, whose co-products (e.g., dried distillers grains) are often returned to livestock rations. Fourteen percent is exported, 8% is processed into food and industrial goods, and 11% is stored for future use.

It’s important to note that these figures refer to field corn, not sweet corn. Sweet corn, the kind eaten fresh, canned or frozen, accounts for less than 1% of total corn acreage and is typically categorized with other specialty crops. Field corn, by contrast, is harvested dry and starchy, making it well-suited for feeding livestock, fueling cars and supporting a wide range of other uses.