U.S. farmers are expected to hold oat acreage near historically low levels in 2026, while barley plantings are set to post a modest increase.
Tuesday’s USDA Prospective Plantings report pegged U.S. new-crop oat planting intentions at 2.36 million acres, down slightly from 2025 and, if realized, the third lowest on record. On the other hand, the report showed U.S. producers intend to seed 2.35 million acres of barley this year, up 2% from 2025.
North Dakota farmers are expected to plant 325,000 acres of oats in 2026, down from 335,000 last year. Minnesota, another key state, is projected at 225,000 acres, down from 245,000 in 2025.
As for barley, farmers in Montana - the largest production state - are expected to plant 800,000 acres, up from 780,000 in 2025. North Dakota is projected at 450,000 acres, unchanged from a year earlier but maintaining its position as a major contributor to U.S. barley supply.
