Mississippi’s soybean crop looks strong early on

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WJTV) – Leaders with the Mississippi State College (MSU) Extension Service stated Mississippi’s anticipated soybean acreage, 2.35 million acres, is greater than in recent times, and it could develop even bigger by the tip of planting season.

“On the finish of the day, we may even be a bit of greater than that estimate, as we’ve had some acres shift from different crops into soybeans. There can even be a couple of extra acres planted as double-crop soybeans are planted behind harvested wheat,” stated Trent Irby, soybean specialist with the Mississippi State College Extension Service.

Irby stated the crop had a great begin within the state, with a decent quantity planted in April. Mississippi has had moist and chilly springs in recent times, however 2022 has not adopted that development precisely. Whereas some areas stayed too moist to plant for an prolonged time, different areas suffered from drought-like situations.

The U.S. Division of Agriculture estimates crop progress and situation every week of the rising season. On June 5, USDA estimated the Mississippi soybean crop was 95% planted, which is barely forward of the 5-year common. Additionally they estimated 80% of the crop was in good or wonderful situation, 16% was good and solely 4% honest. None was rated as poor.

Irby stated growers harvested a state common of 54 bushels an acre in 2021. The precise variety of irrigated fields within the state varies annually, however greater than half of the soybean acreage is irrigated in any given yr.

Whereas soybeans had been as soon as grown in Mississippi when it was not potential to develop anything, the crop began to turn into vital to the state within the mid- to late 2000s. As yields grew, curiosity within the crop grew. Right now, soybeans are a significant a part of Mississippi agriculture and probably the most invaluable row crop within the state, value an estimated $1.49 billion in 2021.

Will Maples, Extension agricultural economist, stated USDA tasks a 2022–2023 common farm worth of $14.40 a bushel for soybeans. This worth is up from the $13.25 common in 2021.

“The soybean market stays constructive and is influenced by robust export demand for U.S. soybeans,” Maples stated. “This demand ought to stay excessive, because the U.S. would be the solely main supply of soybeans for the following eight months.”

Nationally, about 50% of the soybean crop is exported, and the rest is crushed for oil and meal, which is used for animal feed.