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 2000s, Mississippi’s average yield increased to 34 bushels per acre. Since that time, soybean production has improved substantially with a current state record of 54 bushels per acre set in 2018 and tied for the record three more times in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Soybean is currently the top-row crop and number two on the list of agricultural commodities in Mississippi behind poultry. The estimates for the 2023 annual summary for MS soybean are 2.13 million acres harvested with 119,280,000 bushels produced averaging 56 bushels per acre. The 2023 total production value for soybeans in Mississippi is estimated at nearly $1.6 billion. These data are according to the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service.
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.
Publications
News
Rainfall at well above normal accumulations is impacting the state’s row crops, mostly in a negative way.
Mike Brown, state climatologist with the Mississippi State University Department of Geosciences, said many areas of the state have had one and a half times the typical amount of rain for this time of year.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Expect to see significantly less cotton than usual blooming in Mississippi later this year.
Success Stories
Allendale Planting Company in the Mississippi Delta town of Shelby has flourished under Bill O’Neal’s watchful eye for more than a quarter century, but he will be the first to say you can never have too much experience to learn something new.
For J. W. “Bill” McKie (pronounced Mackey), working for the Mississippi State University Extension Service was more than just a job—solving agricultural problems for Mississippians was McKie’s calling.
After graduating from college, David Hey got out of farming to be a truck driver, but before long he realized he wanted back in.
