Fourth Larfgest Soybean Crop Coming

WASHINGTON - Oct 28/08 - SNS -- Soybean production is forecast at 2.94 billion bushels, up slightly from the September forecast and up 10% from last year, according to the USDA's revised crop production and seeded area estimates.

If realized, this will be the fourth largest production on record. Based on October 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 39.5 bushels per acre, down 0.5 bushel from September 1 and down 2.2 bushels from 2007.

Compared with September 1, yields are forecast lower or unchanged across the Corn Belt and Great Plains, with the exception of Illinois and Kansas. Yields increased or are unchanged from the September 1 forecast across the Southeast, the lower Mississippi Valley, and the mid-Atlantic States. As a result of updates that were made to planted acreage in several States based on administrative data, U.S. planted area totals 75.9 million acres. Area for harvest in the U.S. is forecast at 74.4 million acres, up 1% from September 1 and up 16% from 2007.

Updates to planted acreage were made in several States based on administrative data. Planted area was updated to a record high 75.9 million acres, an increase of 1% from the August estimate and up 17% from 2007. Area for harvest is forecast at 74.4 million acres, up 1% from September 1 and up 16% from 2007. Harvested area, if realized, will be the second largest on record.

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