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.
Alfalfa hay production, at 3.20 million tons, is down 8% from a year earlier. The average yield, at 3.70 tons per acre, is down 0.60 ton per acre from 2024. Area harvested, at 865,000 acres, is up 7% from 2024. Alfalfa haylage and greenchop production, at 242,000 tons, is up 51% from last year. Average yield, at 6.90 tons per acre, is down 1.10 tons per acre from last year. Area harvested, at 35,000 acres, is up 15,000 acres from last year. Seedings of alfalfa during 2025 totaled 80,000 acres, down 10,000 acres from a year earlier.
All other hay production, at 2.37 million tons, is down 11% from last year. The average yield, at 1.65 tons per acre, is down 0.05 ton per acre from last year. Area harvested, at 1.44 million acres, is down 8% from 2024. All other haylage and greenchop production, at 207,000 tons, is down 54% from last year. Average yield, at 4.60 tons per acre, is down 5.40 tons per acre from last year. Area harvested, at 45,000 acres, is unchanged from last year.
Proso millet production in 2025 is estimated at 3.51 million bushels, up 11% from last year's production. Yield, at 37.0 bushels per acre, is up 5.5 bushels from a year earlier. Area harvested for grain, at 95,000 acres, is down 6% from 2024. Area planted, at 105,000 acres, is down 5% from last year.
Oil sunflower production in 2025 is 39.2 million pounds, up 49% from last year. Yield, at 1,120 pounds per acre, is up 20 pounds from a year earlier. Area harvested, at 35,000 acres, is up 46% from 2024. Area planted, at 36,000 acres, is up 40% from last year. Non-oil sunflower production of 1.62 million pounds is down 6% from last year. Yield, at 770 pounds per acre, is up 20 pounds from a year earlier. Area harvested, at 2,100 acres, is down 200 acres from 2024. Area planted, at 2,300 acres, is unchanged from last year.
Sugarbeet production is estimated at 1.36 million tons, down 5% from last year. Yield is estimated at 29.7 tons per acre, down 0.8 tons from the previous year. Acres harvested are estimated at 45,800 acres, down 2% from the previous year. Area planted, at 48,100 acres, is up 700 acres from last year.
Dry edible bean production (excluding chickpeas) of 2.50 million cwt is down 8% from a year ago. Yield, at 2,520 pounds per acre, is up 260 pounds from a year earlier. Area harvested, at 99,100 acres, is down 18% from 2024. Area planted, at 106,000 acres, is down 19% from last year.
Dry edible pea production is estimated at 340,000 cwt, down 15% from 2024. Yield is estimated at 1,700 pounds per acre, up 40 pounds from last year. Acres harvested are estimated at 20,000, down 17% from a year ago. Total acreage planted is 23,000 acres, down 15% from last year.
Potato production is estimated at 9.95 million cwt, down 2% from 2024. Yield, at 500 cwt per acre, is up 15 cwt from a year earlier. Area harvested, at 19,900 acres, is down 1,000 acres from 2024. Area planted, at 20,000 acres, is down 1,000 acres from last year.
Principal crop area planted totaled 19.5 million acres, up 0.4% from 2024. Area harvested, at 19.1 million acres, is up 0.4% from last year. Nebraska principal crop acres include corn, sorghum, oats, rye, winter wheat, soybean, sunflower, dry edible beans, potatoes, proso millet, sugarbeets, and all hay. Double cropped acres and unharvested small grains planted as cover crops are also included.
