# Harvesting insights: interpretable machine learning to understand environmental drivers of U.S. maize and soybean yield | Scientific Reports

> A Scientific Reports study applies interpretable machine learning to a large yield monitor dataset of 134 US maize and soybean crop-site-years. The models predict yield with R² above 0.87 and use Shapley values to rank the effects of weather, soil and terrain. The authors aim to inform breeding and precision management.

- Date: 2026-03-01 · published 2026-03-01T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: weather · region US · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/13021-harvesting-insights-interpretable-machine-learning-to-understand-environmental
- Commodities: [Corn](https://feedsoft.ai/c/CORN.md), [Soybeans](https://feedsoft.ai/c/SOY.md)

## Why it matters

The study improves understanding of which environmental factors limit yields, which may help future supply forecasting. It has no immediate effect on prices.

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CORN | 2021-07-01 | [Maladaptation of U.S. corn and soybeans to a changing climate - Scientific Reports](https://feedsoft.ai/events/46423-maladaptation-of-u-s-corn-and-soybeans-to-a-changing-climate-scientific-reports.md) | -2.9% | -12.5% |
| CORN | 2021-09-20 | [Farmers Weigh in on Early Corn, Soybean Yields as Harvest Gets Underway](https://feedsoft.ai/events/44906-farmers-weigh-in-on-early-corn-soybean-yields-as-harvest-gets-underway.md) | -4.3% | -4.1% |
| CORN | 2026-07-17 | [IGC Reports Heatwaves in Europe Lower 2026/27 Global Cereal Harvest; Soybean and Rice Outlooks Adjusted \| Tridge Insights](https://feedsoft.ai/events/18398-igc-reports-heatwaves-in-europe-lower-2026-27-global-cereal-harvest-soybean-and.md) | +3.6% | -1.5% |
| CORN | 2020-11-26 | [Quantifying Drought Sensitivity Changes in U.S. Maize Yields</a> — NASA Harvest](https://feedsoft.ai/events/49987-quantifying-drought-sensitivity-changes-in-u-s-maize-yields-a-nasa-harvest.md) | +0.1% | -0.9% |
| CORN | 2023-02-01 | [Contrasting impacts of dry versus humid heat on US corn and soybean yields](https://feedsoft.ai/events/13304-contrasting-impacts-of-dry-versus-humid-heat-on-us-corn-and-soybean-yields.md) | +1.2% | -4.9% |
| SOY | 2021-07-01 | [Maladaptation of U.S. corn and soybeans to a changing climate - Scientific Reports](https://feedsoft.ai/events/46423-maladaptation-of-u-s-corn-and-soybeans-to-a-changing-climate-scientific-reports.md) | -4.1% | -1.1% |
| SOY | 2021-09-20 | [Farmers Weigh in on Early Corn, Soybean Yields as Harvest Gets Underway](https://feedsoft.ai/events/44906-farmers-weigh-in-on-early-corn-soybean-yields-as-harvest-gets-underway.md) | +0.1% | -5.2% |
| SOY | 2026-07-17 | [IGC Reports Heatwaves in Europe Lower 2026/27 Global Cereal Harvest; Soybean and Rice Outlooks Adjusted \| Tridge Insights](https://feedsoft.ai/events/18398-igc-reports-heatwaves-in-europe-lower-2026-27-global-cereal-harvest-soybean-and.md) | +2.7% | -3.9% |

## Sources

- nature.com: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-38724-z

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.