April 1, 2009

The US Department of Agriculture on Tuesday (March 31) predicted a record for soy planting in 2009 of 76.024 million acres.

Even though it would be a record, the USDA said in its annual Prospective Plantings report, the forecast is for only "slightly" more than was planted last year. Farmers in 2008 planted 75.718 million acres with soy.

"Acreage increases of 100,000 acres or more are expected in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota and Ohio," the USDA said. "If realized, the planted acreage in Kansas and New York will be the largest on record and the planted acreage in North Dakota will tie the previous record high."

Farmers in Kansas, according to the report, are predicted to plant 3.5 million acres with soy this year, up from 3.3 million acres last year.

"Tightening soy supplies and lower input costs than corn have resulted in farmers intending to plant more soy area this year," the USDA said.

Some states, though, will see soy acreage fall, the USDA said. Missouri and South Dakota will both see 2009 planted area decline by 150,000 acres.