In 2025, Iowa harvested the most corn for grain among Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota, while Illinois harvested the most soybeans. The leader changes when you compare yield per acre: Illinois led corn yield, and Iowa led soybean yield. These are final USDA estimates for 2025, not a forecast for a future harvest.
2025 harvest comparison: production, yield and acres
The table compares USDA NASS state-overview figures for 2025. Corn refers to corn for grain; corn silage is a separate category and is not included in the corn-for-grain production figures. Harvested acres, yield and production measure different things.
| State | Corn harvested acres | Corn yield | Corn production | Soybean harvested acres | Soybean yield | Soybean production |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 13.15 million | 210 bu/acre | 2.7615 billion bu | 9.38 million | 63.5 bu/acre | 595.63 million bu |
| Illinois | 10.95 million | 214 bu/acre | 2.3433 billion bu | 10.23 million | 62.5 bu/acre | 639.375 million bu |
| Minnesota | 8.44 million | 201 bu/acre | 1.69644 billion bu | 7.07 million | 52.5 bu/acre | 371.175 million bu |
Source: USDA NASS 2025 State Agriculture Overview for Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota.
Which state produced the most corn and soybeans?
Corn: Iowa led total production
Iowa’s 2.7615 billion bushels of corn for grain exceeded Illinois’s 2.3433 billion and Minnesota’s 1.69644 billion. Iowa also had the largest corn harvested area of the three. Illinois, however, had the highest corn yield at 214 bushels per acre, compared with Iowa’s 210 and Minnesota’s 201. In other words, the state with the best yield per acre was not the state with the most total corn.
#1 Best Overall
- 🌾 1:24 RC COMBINE HARVESTER FOR KIDS: This 1:24 scale combine harvester measures 12.6" L × 8.7" W × 5.1" H, giving young farmers a realistic way to drive, explore, and create their own harvest-time farm adventures
- 🌽 WHEEL-DRIVEN CORN HEAD FOR REAL HARVESTING ACTION: MOVES WITH THE COMBINE — Built with wheels underneath the corn head, it moves naturally as the combine travels forward. Kids can drive the harvester with the remote and watch the corn head turn with the motion, adding an interactive touch to pretend harvesting
- 💡 WORKING LIGHTS, ENGINE SOUNDS & STEAM EFFECT: Flashing lights, realistic engine sounds, and a fun steam effect add sensory details to farm play. These interactive features help bring the combine harvester to life while giving kids more ways to enjoy screen-free pretend play
- 🔋 2 RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES FOR LONGER PLAY: Includes two rechargeable batteries to help extend play sessions. Keep one battery ready while the other charges, giving kids more time to drive the combine, operate the moving corn head, and continue their farm play with less waiting
- 📚 FARM PRETEND PLAY FOR BOYS & GIRLS: Kids can drive, harvest, explore farm equipment, and create their own farm scenarios while developing imagination, coordination, curiosity, and problem-solving through screen-free play. Pair with an RC farm tractor for a larger farm setup
Soybeans: Illinois led total production
Illinois produced 639.375 million bushels, ahead of Iowa’s 595.63 million and Minnesota’s 371.175 million. Illinois had the largest soybean harvested area among the three, while Iowa had the highest yield: 63.5 bushels per acre, compared with Illinois’s 62.5 and Minnesota’s 52.5. Iowa’s higher per-acre yield did not make it the production leader.
Why production and yield tell different stories
Production is the total crop harvested, measured here in bushels. Yield is the number of bushels per harvested acre. Harvested acreage supplies another essential piece of the comparison: a state can produce more overall because more acres were harvested, even if another state produced more bushels per acre.
Rank #2
- 2-IN-1 COMBINED HARVESTER TOY: This remote control combined harvester tractor toy immerses your kids in farming. The tractor toy set includes two interchangeable harvesting heads, allowing little farmers to experience different farming scenes during their farm adventures. The lifting design and friction-driven mower simulate realistic mowing actions, ensuring the fun never stops
- DOUBLE THE FUN WITH TWO BATTERIES: With RC tractor toy with two included rechargeable batteries, the fun never stops. No more waiting for batteries to charge, so the adventure never has to stop
- IMMERSIVE REALISM: Our remote control combine harvester tractor toy boasts true-to-life details such as working headlights, captivating horn sounds, and a roaring engine that mirrors the real deal. It even emits a playful cloud of pretend steam, adding a layer of authenticity to your child's farm play, making it the ideal gift for Halloween, Christmas, birthdays, New Year, or as a daily reward
- EDUCATIONAL FUN FOR BOYS & GIRLS: Designed for aspiring young farmers, this gender-inclusive RC tractor toy promotes learning through play. It introduces children to the world of agriculture, Let your child's imagination soar as they recreate farming scenes and learn through play. and will be your wonderful investment for kids
- EXCEPTIONAL CARE: We care about what matters to you, and our team is here to assist with any questions or concerns. We look forward to bringing joy to you and leave wonderful memories for you and your loved ones
The figures show that Iowa’s corn production lead coincided with its larger harvested corn area, despite Illinois’s higher corn yield. For soybeans, Illinois had the larger harvested area and higher total production, while Iowa’s yield was slightly higher. These figures describe the differences; they do not establish why yields or acreage differed.
How to read the 2025 figures and their limits
USDA NASS’s Crop Production 2025 Summary, released January 12, 2026, reports final national estimates informed by December Agricultural Survey data. NASS describes monthly Crop Production reports as forecasts and the mid-January summary as its end-of-season estimates. Comparing figures from the same reporting vintage avoids mixing forecasts with final estimates.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #3
- WORKING PARTS: Each vehicle features detailed John Deere styling and real rolling wheels for realistic farm play.
- VARIETY: Five-pack includes a wagon, combine harvester, modern tractor, gator, and vintage tractor. Great for solo or group play!
- SOFT SUPER GRIP TIRES: Treaded tires spin smoothly, helping kids drive, tow, and harvest with ease during imaginative farm adventures.
- IMAGINATIVE PLAY: Perfectly sized for little hands, these 5-inch vehicles encourage pretend play and help build fine motor skills.
- FARM FUN: Ideal for farm-themed party décor, cake toppers, or as accessories in sensory bins and small-world play.
The three states here are a useful comparison of major Corn Belt producers, not a proven ranking of the top three states for both crops. Within this group, Minnesota ranked third in production for both corn for grain and soybeans. Nationally, USDA NASS reported 17.0 billion bushels of corn at an average yield of 186.5 bushels per acre, and 4.26 billion bushels of soybeans at an average yield of 53.0 bushels per acre in 2025. Those national figures provide context; they do not change the three-state comparison.
Corn silage should not be added to corn-for-grain bushels. The state overviews list silage separately in acres and tons: Iowa reported 250,000 silage acres and 6.25 million tons; Illinois, 90,000 acres and 1.8 million tons; Minnesota, 360,000 acres and 8.28 million tons. Silage tonnage is a different measure from grain bushels.
Rank #4
- 1/64 John Deere 9610 Combine Toy - LP82814.
- 9610 Maximizer combine features a die-cast body, clear window and with detailed cab interior and comes with both a grain and corn head. The combine features authentic graphics and a pivoting unloading auger.
- Age grade: 3+
- Combine Measures approx.: 5" x 2.75" x 3".
- Made of some plastic.
What state harvest totals do—and do not—tell you
Production rankings describe aggregate state output, not the experience of an individual farm or a forecast of prices, revenue or storage needs. The figures do not show what caused the state-to-state differences. Iowa’s agriculture department reported record corn production, a record soybean yield and the state’s second-highest corn yield for 2025. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig described the season as variable, with areas experiencing excess rain, dryness and disease pressure; that is Iowa-specific context, not an explanation of the differences among all three states.
Moisture checks before soybean storage
State production totals do not determine whether a particular load is ready for storage. The University of Minnesota Extension says harvesting soybeans at 13–15% moisture can help maximize weight while minimizing harvest losses, and notes that moisture and storage temperature affect safe storage duration. Treat that range as extension guidance, not a universal target for every storage period or local condition. See its guidance on storing, drying and handling wet soybeans.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Best Value
- 4555 Tractor
- 7720 Combine w/2 Heads
- 500 Grain Cart
Iowa State University Extension notes that grain temperature affects portable moisture-tester readings and recommends testing each soybean sample at least three times and averaging the results because readings vary. Its soybean storage guidance covers testing, while its grain-bin preparation advice addresses getting storage ready for harvest.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
