Nebraska’s 2025 crop production reflected a year of contrasts, with strong corn yields driving higher grain output while several forage and specialty crops declined or shifted sharply from the previous year. Corn production rebounded on higher yields and increased harvested acreage, pushing total output back above 2 billion bushels. Soybean production also increased despite fewer acres, as improved yields offset year-to-year acreage reductions. In contrast, grain sorghum and hay production declined, while sorghum silage and alfalfa haylage production increased substantially, pointing to continued adjustments in forage use and crop mix across the state.
Corn for grain production in Nebraska based on year-end surveys is estimated at 2.02 billion bushels, up 12% from 2024, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Yield of 194 bushels per acre is up 6 bushels from last year. Farmers harvested 10.5 million acres of corn for grain, up 9% from 2024. Corn for silage production is 4.41 million tons, down 25% from last year. Silage yield of 21.0 tons per acre is unchanged compared to last year. Corn for silage harvested acreage of 280,000 acres is down 70,000 acres from last year. Corn acreage planted for all purposes is 10.75 million acres, up 7% from last year.
Soybean production for 2025 totaled 314 million bushels, up 4% from 2024. Yield, at 65.5 bushels per acre, is up 8 bushels from a year earlier. Area for harvest, at 4.79 million acres, is down 9% from 2024. Planted acreage totaled 4.85 million acres, down 9% from last year.
Sorghum for grain production in 2025 is estimated at 17.8 million bushels, down 19% from 2024. Yield, at 87.0 bushels per acre, is up 2.0 bushels from a year earlier. Area harvested for grain, at 205,000 acres, is down 21% from 2024. Sorghum for silage production is 490,000 tons, up 229% from last year. Silage yield of 14.0 tons per acre is up 5.7 tons from last year. Sorghum for silage harvested acreage of 35,000 acres is up 17,000 acres from last year. Sorghum acreage planted for all purposes is 250,000 acres, down 40,000 acres from last year.