Record U.S. Soybean Crop

WASHINGTON - Jan 12/07 - SNS -- Soybean production was smaller than initially expected in the United States in 2006, but it remains a record, according to the USDA 's final production estimate for 2006.

Output ended up at 3.19 billion bushels, the largest U.S. soybean crop on record, down less than 1% from the November forecast but 4% above the 2005 production.

The average yield per acre is estimated at 42.7 bushels, 0.3 bushel below both the November forecast and last year's record high yield. Harvested area is up 5% from 2005, to a record high 74.6 million acres.

Planted area for the Nation, at a record high 75.5 million acres, is up 5% from 2005. Soybean growers harvested a record high 74.6 million acres, also up 5% from last year and up fractionally from November. New record highs for planted and harvested area were set in Kansas, Nebraska, New York, and North Dakota, while Pennsylvania tied their previous record high for both planted and harvested acreage.

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