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A decline in soybean acres is likely, but where

An ag economist says record stocks of soybeans and the ongoing trade rift with China could be the drivers behind a likely decline in acres planted to soybeans this year.

David Widmar with Ag Economic Insights says Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota grow the bulk of the nation’s soybean acres and that isn’t likely to change. 

He expects the biggest shift in acres will come from the Western Corn Belt, where the acres planted to soybeans have been on the rise.  “North Dakota has actually seen the largest change in soybean acres on an annual basis,” he says.  “Almost half-a-million acres on average have changed.  We also see Kansas at 350,000 acres and Missouri at almost 400,000 acres.”

He tells Brownfield since the biggest shift will likely come in the Western Corn Belt, and the winter wheat and canola seedings report that comes out this Friday will offer some insight.  “Wheat acres will give us an idea of how corn vs. soybean plantings will fare out in the Great Plains as they start to gear up for spring planting.”

Ninety-five percent of the nation’s soybean crop is grown in just 18 states.