TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey farmers are expected to harvest more hay in 2026 than in any year since 2018, according to the latest acreage report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The report estimates 106,000 acres of hay will be harvested across the state this year, marking the highest harvested hay acreage in eight years.
The USDA also estimates New Jersey farmers planted 72,000 acres of corn for all purposes in 2026, with 62,000 acres expected to be harvested for grain.
Soybean producers are expected to harvest 98,000 acres this year, according to the report.
Nationally, the USDA estimates 95.3 million acres of corn were planted for all purposes in 2026, down 3% from last year but still the fourth-highest planted corn acreage in the United States since 1944.
Area expected to be harvested for grain is estimated at 87.4 million acres, a 4% decrease from 2025.
The report also estimates 85.4 million acres of soybeans were planted nationwide this year, an increase of 5% over last year. Compared with 2025, soybean planted acreage increased or remained unchanged in 23 of the 29 states included in the survey.
The USDA’s complete 2026 Acreage Report, released June 30, is available through the National Agricultural Statistics Service at www.nass.usda.gov.
