Soybeans
Soybean production in Mississippi has experienced many changes over the years. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, state average yields were 21 and 26 bushels per acre, respectively. During the 2000’s, Mississippi’s average yield increased to 34 bushels per acre. Since that time, soybean production has improved even more with the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons resulting in the two highest state yields on record, with averages of 52 and 46 bushels per acre, respectively.
Soybean is currently the top row crop and number three on the list of agricultural commodities in Mississippi behind poultry and forestry. In 2015, Mississippi soybean producers harvested over 100 million bushels on nearly 2.3 million acres. The 2015 total production value for soybeans in Mississippi reached $930 million.
Mississippi soybean producers are commonly planting maturity Groups IV and V soybean varieties, with the majority of the state’s acreage being planted by the end of May each year. There are many management decisions required for successful soybean production. These decisions include, but are not limited to, variety selection, planting date, pest management, irrigation management, and nutrient requirements. Such decisions will vary depending on factors such as production location or issues that may occur within a given year. Many sources of information are available regarding soybean management in Mississippi. These resources should be utilized to ensure that the best management practices are incorporated for successful soybean production.
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News
RAYMOND, Miss. -- Although favorable spring weather helped many producers plant their corn, cotton and soybean crops early, most growers now need fields to dry out.
Well-timed early spring rains helped corn producers avoid irrigating their crops, but flooding from recent excess rain will force some to think about replanting with soybeans.
STONEVILLE, Miss. – The state's soybean producers can put their skills to the test this year in the first Mississippi Soybean Yield Contest.
Yield contests encourage growers to conduct on-farm research, evaluate their agronomic practices, and increase yields and profits.
The Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board funds the contest with producer checkoff funds. The Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi Soybean Association will administer the competition.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi producers have planted a large percentage of the state's soybean crop well ahead of schedule, giving producers the opportunity for maximum yields.
The May 1 crop progress and condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated 69 percent of the soybean crop has been planted. In the last five years, just 38 percent of the crop was typically planted by this date.
Trent Irby, soybean specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, called the progress to date phenomenal.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Strong export demand for cotton and soybean is causing Mississippi producers to shift away from corn and rice as they finalize their planting plans for 2017.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Prospective Plantings report released March 31 estimates the state's growers will plant a total of about 4.194 million acres, a 170,000-acre increase over 2016 acreage.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The estimated $7.6 billion value of Mississippi agriculture increased by 1.8 percent in 2016, helping the industry retain its prominence in the state's overall economy.
