Corn cost of production projection tool for 2026 now available

Jon LaPorte<laportej@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension - April 13, 2026

New cost of production Excel-based tool for non-irrigated and irrigated corn now available from MSU Extension.

Graphic from Michigan State University Extension titled “2026 Corn Projected Cost of Production.” It outlines six projection scenarios for corn production: three for non-irrigated acres (Base, Build-Up, Push Production) and three for irrigated acres (Base, Build-Up, Push Production). Each scenario includes example yield goals (165–240 bushels per acre) and notes on nutrient recommendations based on removal rates or soil test levels, highlighting when additional nutrient build-up may be needed. Contact information for MSU Extension educators is included at the top. — Screenshot of a portion of the Excel-based 2026 Corn Projected Cost of Production tool.

Farm profitability is a bottom-line priority for farmers. It is a challenge in any year, but particularly in times when input costs are on the rise and grain prices are flat or falling. When margins are tight, farmers need to know their cost of production to determine what inputs and practices are profitable and which ones may need to be put on hold. The new Michigan State University Extension 2026 Projected Cost of Production Tool for Corn is intended to serve as a starting point for discussions on both expected income and expenses for individual farms.

There are three versions of the cost of production tool for non-irrigated and irrigated corn acres included in a single downloadable Excel file:

The Base Projection version provides an estimate for farms seeking to minimize costs without sacrificing yield. The non-irrigated base projection uses a yield goal of 165 bushels per acre, and the irrigated base projection uses 215 bushels per acre. Both base projections have aligning chemical plans and assume fertility plans based on rate of nutrient removal from the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations bulletin.
The Build-Up versions for non-irrigated and irrigated corn start out using the same information as the base projections. The fertility plans are updated to include recommended additional fertilizer inputs to build up soil nutrient levels based on sample soil test results.
The Push Production versions provide an estimate for farms seeking to push maximum yield output. The non-irrigated push production uses a yield goal of 195 bushels per acre, and the irrigated push production uses 240 bushels per acre. Both projections have aligning chemical plans and assume fertility plans based on rate of nutrient removal from the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations bulletin.

Spreadsheet-style fertilizer calculator showing product types, prices, application rates, and costs per acre, with a total cost of $200.98 and nutrient totals (N, P, K, S) listed at the bottom. — Figure 1. Screenshot of the fertilizer calculator in the 2026 Corn Projected Cost of Production tool.

Spreadsheet-style chemical calculator for corn showing weed, disease, and insect control products, application rates, and costs per acre, with a total cost of $57.85. — Figure 2. Screenshot of the chemical calculator in of the 2026 Corn Projected Cost of Production tool.

Income values are derived from price projections from composite grain buyers across Michigan and yield data for Michigan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Expenses are based on the latest Illinois production costs report from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), compositive prices from Michigan retailers, five-year average benchmark data from the FINBIN database, and current price trends. The example expenses are based on recommendations from various resources at Michigan State University (MSU). Resources include:

MSU Weed Control Guide
Tri-State Fertility Recommendations and supplemental data from msu.edu
Crop Protection Network

Note: Products used in the examples are for illustrative purposes only and not considered an endorsement by Michigan State University.

Table showing break-even calculations for corn, including a break-even price of $4.60 per bushel and break-even yield of 174.33 bushels per acre. — Figure 3. Screenshot of the break-even calculator in the “base projection” of the 2026 Corn Projected Cost of Production tool.

At the time of publishing, the Non-Irrigated Base Projection budget estimates a break-even price of $4.60 per bushel or a break-even yield of 174.33 bushels per acre. The Irrigated Base Projection budget estimates a break-even price of $4.93 per bushel or a break-even yield of 243.65 bushels per acre. Individual farm values and break-even values will differ based on production practices, timing of purchases, and/or value of corn at time of sale. All versions of the tools can be edited by individual farms to create budgets for their own operations.

The 2026 Projected Cost of Production tools for Corn can be found in the cost of production section on the MSU Extension Farm Management website.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

MSU Extension Farm Management