Missouri Could Surpass Six Million Soy Acres

Soybeans emerging in a field in eastern St Charles County, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Hill, Alpha Ag Network)

Rising costs of fertilizer and other inputs had farmers and pundits anticipating a swing from corn to soy acreage, but not as sharp as what USDA released Thursday. The annual Prospective Plantings report suggests that Missouri farmers could plant a record number of soybean acres. Bob Garino is the state statistician with USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service.

Central MO Info · 22 0404 USDA State Statistician Bob Garino on projected record Missouri soy acreage

USDA projects 3.5 million acres of corn, a drop of three percent. Wheat acreage is set to increase to 800,000 acres, while hay acres could increase to 3.3 million. Garino says another major shift is happening in the Bootheel.

Central MO Info · 22 0404 USDA State Statistician Bob Garino on projected increase to cotton acreage

USDA’s Prospective Plantings report is based on farmer surveys gauging planting intentions during the first week of March. Over 3100 Missouri farmers were asked about their plans by USDA.