Illinois reclaims title of top soybean-producing state

Illinois has regained the title of top soybean-producing state for the first time since 2003, according to USDA estimates.

“We’re proud this is happening in the same year we celebrate 100 years of Illinois soybean production and the 50th anniversary of the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA),” says Bill Raben, soybean farmer from Ridgway, Ill., and ISA chairman. “ISA has set the goal to utilize 600 million bushels of Illinois soybeans annually by 2020, so now that we have reached this important milestone, it’s time to keep the momentum.”

The USDA Crop Production Report estimates Illinois farmers raised 460.6 million bushels of soybeans in 2013 on 9.4 million acres with an average yield of 49 bushels per acre. Iowa ranked second in terms of total production with 415.3 million bushels raised on 9.23 million acres and an average yield of 45 bushels per acre. In the drought year of 2012, USDA estimated Illinois soybeanfarmers raised 383.99 million bushels.