New Study Highlights Corn’s Significant Contribution to U.S. and Wisconsin Economy

Watertown, Wis. [July 7, 2026] - The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) released a new study highlighting the economic contributions of corn farming in the United States.

According to the study, America's corn farmers harvested a record-breaking crop in 2025, producing 17.02 billion bushels from 98.8 million acres with a total crop value of $70.1 billion.

The report found that corn production generates economic benefits in all 50 states and supports more than 500 industries. In 2025, the U.S. corn industry generated an estimated $142 billion in total economic output, contributed $56 billion to the nation's gross domestic product, and supported more than 482,000 jobs while providing $32 billion in wages. In this study, Wisconsin is attributed to generating $5.1 billion in economic output, supporting more than 19,500 jobs and providing an estimated $1.8 billion in wages. These findings underscore the important role corn growers play in strengthening rural economies and supporting businesses throughout Wisconsin and across the United States.

"Put a simpler way, every bushel of corn produced in the United States in 2025 contributed an associated $8.34 in economic activity to the broader U.S. economy," said NCGA Economist Gretchen Kuck, who authored the study. "The nation's corn growers drive economic activity far beyond their farms, supporting local communities and boosting the broader U.S. economic engine."

Wisconsin Corn serves the state's corn growers through the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board (WCPB) and Wisconsin Corn Growers Association (WCGA). The WCPB utilizes checkoff funds to develop and defend markets, fund research and provide education about corn and corn products. WCGA is a united, grassroots-driven member organization representing growers from across Wisconsin on important state and national agricultural issues in an effort to increase member profitability and opportunity. For more information, visit wicorn.org.

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