Mississippi Soybean Farmers Are Excellent Producers

According to NASS, the estimated average soybean yield for Mississippi in 2016 will be 48 bu/acre. This compares favorably to the 5-year state average yield of 47.5 bu/acre.

Some are calling this an average or respectable crop. The average designation is correct when compared to the 5-year average, but the projected average yield of 48 bu/acre is more than respectable–it is exceptional. And here are the reasons.

•    In each of the last 5 years, the state average yield has been above 45 bu/acre. This period of consistency is exceptional.

•    In the last 5 years, this average has been achieved on roughly the same amount of acres in the state.

•    Compared to the often low and usually erratic soybean yields from year to year over the last several decades in Mississippi, the 2016 projected average yield of 48 bu/acre is exceptional and the consistency of the annual average over the last 5 years is equally exceptional.

•    When compared to the national average soybean yield (NASS) over the same 5-year period, Mississippi’s average yield of 47.5 bu/acre is slightly higher than the national average of 46.3 bu/acre over that period.

So, in spite of the usual issues of disease and insect pressure, concerns about water conservation, and controlling herbicide-resistant weeds, Mississippi producers continue to achieve soybean yields that are exceptional.

After being involved with Mississippi soybeans since 1975, I can honestly say that the above figures represent an exceptional accomplishment.

I laud the producers and their supporting infrastructure partners for this exemplary, exceptional accomplishment.

[And yes, I used the word “exceptional” 7 times in this short article, and that was intentional].

Composed by Larry G. Heatherly, Nov. 2016, larryheatherly@bellsouth.net