DELMARVA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture faced intense scrutiny this week after publishing major corrections to corn production data that sent grain markets tumbling. The federal agency released final 2025 corn acreage numbers in January that dramatically exceeded earlier June projections. The unexpected increase caused already struggling grain prices to plummet by more than 5%.
Agricultural professionals who depend on USDA statistics for critical business decisions are questioning the agency’s reliability. The errors represent one of the largest statistical corrections in recent years, shaking confidence in what’s historically been considered the most trusted source for agricultural data worldwide. Delmarva grain producers felt the impact immediately as futures markets reacted.
Markets
Corn futures closed this week at $4.38 a bushel. Soybeans settled at $10.62. Wheat finished at $5.19. Local cash corn on Delmarva is running $3.90.
Forecast
Partly sunny skies are expected this evening with temperatures holding near 45°. Tonight drops to 28° with mostly cloudy conditions and patchy freezing fog developing. Sunday brings that freezing fog early, then light rain likely as temperatures climb to 43°. Sunday night expect rain transitioning to a chance of rain and snow as lows hit 31°. Producers should plan accordingly with that precipitation moving in Sunday and lingering into the holiday Monday.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, February 14, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
