May. 3, 2017
The latest projections for crop area plantings in 2017 indicate contrasting records for soybeans and wheat.
Soybean plantings for 2017 are projected to reach 89.5 million acres, a new record-high.
In contrast, forecast wheat plantings of 46.1 million acres would be a record low, if realized.
Taken together, these planted area projections indicate that many farmers are switching from wheat to soybean production in several key wheat-growing States, including Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas.
Since 2011, soybean acreage in these seven States has expanded by one-third, while wheat area has contracted.
Farmers are likely responding to the higher prices and potential returns associated with soybeans, after multiple years of wheat prices trending lower.
For the 2016/17 marketing year, the projected midpoint season-average farm-gate price for soybeans was $9.55 per bushel, slightly higher than the 2015/16 average of $8.95 per bushel.
The all-wheat price for the 2016/17 marketing year is projected at $3.85 per bushel, more than a dollar below the 2015/16 season-average price and the lowest since 2005/06.
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