September 2026 Small Grains Summary and Stocks Report
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released their September 30, 2026 Small Grains Summary along with updated stock reports.
Barley production was estimated at 116 million bushels, down 19 percent from the revised 2025 total of 143 million bushels. The average yield, at 72.1 bushels per acre, was down 7.8 bushels from the previous year. Producers seeded a record low 2.21 million acres for harvest in 2026, down 4 percent from 2025. Harvested area, at 1.60 million acres, was down 10 percent from 2025.
Record low planted acres were estimated in California, Colorado, New York, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. Record low harvested acres were estimated for Arizona, New York, and Utah. Record high yields were estimated in Maine and Pennsylvania.
Five percent of the Nation’s barley acreage was planted by April 5, same as the previous year and 5-year average. Nationwide, barley producers seeded 96 percent of the Nation’s acreage by May 31, seven percentage points ahead of the previous year and 6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. By June 14, ninety-six percent of the Nation’s barley acreage had emerged, eight percentage points ahead of the previous year and 6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Heading of the Nation’s barley acreage advanced to 98 percent complete by August 2, nine percentage points ahead of the previous year and 2 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. By September 20, barley producers harvested 98 percent of the Nation’s acreage, equal to last year and two percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Overall, 53 percent of the barley acreage was reported in good to excellent condition on August 23, eleven percentage points above the same time in 2025.
Barley stocks stocks in all positions on September 1, 2026 totaled 131 million bushels, down 13 percent from September 1, 2025. On-farm stocks are estimated at 84.7 million bushels, 12 percent below a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 46.0 million bushels, are 15 percent below September 2025. The June - August 2026 indicated disappearance is 51.4 million bushels, 17 percent below the same period a year earlier.
You can access the September 30, 2026 USDA NASS Report; along with other historical acreage, production, and stock reports, from the AMBA website.
You can find additional barley data at the NASS website.
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