April 5, 2005

Soy rust forces US farmers to cut down on planting
 

Farmers in the United States are planting fewer soybeans in anticipation of the Asian soybean rust disease that is spreading rapidly throughout the country.

Soybeans will be planted on 73.9 million acres, 2 percent less than last year's record high. US soybean exports are currently worth US$8-9 billion a year, making it the most profitable national crop.

Some farmers instead are focusing more on cotton and corn while others are spraying fungicide and upgrading equipment.

The biggest declines in soybean plantings are expected in the soy rust affected regions of North Dakota, South Dakota, the Mississippi Delta and the south-east.