BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA (LSU AgriLife Extension) — Louisiana soybean farmers are moving quickly to get this year’s crop planted during a key window for yield potential.
LSU AgCenter Soybean Specialist David Moseley says timing is important, especially as growers try to make the most of improved soybean prices.
“The optimum window for planting soybeans in Louisiana mostly goes from late March through mid-April, so we are in a good window,” he explains.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projections put Louisiana soybean acreage around 900,000 acres this year, but that number could increase after a mid-March freeze damaged some corn fields.
Moseley says some acres originally planted in corn are now being replanted into soybeans, which could push that total higher.
Soybean prices have also improved in recent months, hovering around $11.50 — after sitting below $11 not too long ago. However, higher input costs, especially fuel, are cutting into those gains and making profitability difficult.
Some farmers are also replacing corn acres with soybeans because beans do not require nitrogen fertilizer.
Agricultural experts are predicting U.S. soybean acreage will be up 3 percent, while Louisiana is expected to see a 9 percent increase.
Craig Gatreaux with the LSU AgriLife Extension reporting for RFD News.
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