By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Timely rains and cooler summer temperatures pushed Central Texas corn yields higher than farmers expected.

In Milam County, Zachary and Savannah Hutka say this year’s crop is one of the best they’ve ever harvested, but market prices tell a different story.

Growing conditions were nearly ideal, leading to yields far above average.

“A normal year is 90 to 100 bushels, maybe a little over 110,” Zachary said. “This year, we’ve seen anywhere from 150 to 160 bushels an acre or more. We’ve even seen 210 bushels or so. It’s been a good year so far.”

The Hutkas have been harvesting for three weeks and expect to stay in the fields another three or four weeks before finishing. Aside from a few rain delays, harvest has gone smoothly.

For this year’s crop, Zachary noted, rain made all the difference.

“It’s been a really great year,” he said. “We’ve had timely rains compared to years in the past where we may not have had as much rain, and it’ll burn up the corn and not make a good crop.”

But the high yields are offset by low market prices.

“Commodity prices are really tanking at the moment, and input prices are still high,” he said.

The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture WASDE report reflects those concerns.

Corn production for the 2025-26 is forecast at 16.7 billion bushels, with yields projected at 188.8 bushels per acre, both new records.

Supplies are expected to outpace use, pushing projected farm-level prices down to $3.90 per bushel. Domestic use, exports and ethanol production are all forecast higher, but with supply outpacing demand, ending stocks could climb to the largest level since 2018-19.

The report noted that global demand for U.S. corn is strong, particularly from Mexico, Egypt and the European Union, but farmers will continue facing tight margins while input costs remain elevated.

Even so, the Hutkas remain optimistic.

“You get to harvest, and it’s a really exciting time,” Savannah said. “Prices kind of have us hesitant, but everyone says we’re in a cycle. So, we’re trying to ride the wave. If we can maybe get a little relief from prices, it’ll turn us really optimistic coming into the new year.”

Watch a video of corn harvest with Zach Hutka.

Central Texas farmers see record corn yields amid market pressures Timely rains and cooler summer temperatures pushed Central Texas corn yields higher than farmers expected.