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In March 2024, U.S. farmers said they intended to plant 86.5 million acres of soybeans—3% more than in 2023—while planning fewer acres of corn. That was a survey-based forecast, not a final count. USDA’s later June estimate put soybean planted area at 86.1 million acres.
What did farmers plan to plant in 2024?
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated that U.S. farmers intended to plant 86.5 million acres of soybeans in 2024, a 3% increase from 2023. For corn, respondents intended to plant 90.0 million acres, down 5% from the previous year. These figures were reported in NASS’s March 28, 2024 Prospective Plantings report.
NASS described the report as “the first official, survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ 2024 planting intentions.” The agency surveyed nearly 72,000 farm operators during the first two weeks of March. Its estimate captured what respondents intended to plant at that time; it did not establish how many acres would ultimately be planted.
How did the estimate change by June?
In its June 28, 2024 Acreage report, NASS estimated that farmers had planted 86.1 million acres of soybeans, still 3% more than in 2023. The June figure was 0.4 million acres below the March intention estimate.
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The two figures are not identical measures: March recorded planting intentions, while June reported an updated estimate of planted area based on surveys conducted after planting began. For June, NASS surveyed nearly 64,000 farm operators and approximately 9,000 land segments during the first two weeks of the month. The June estimate is therefore the more relevant figure for describing reported 2024 planted area; it should not be confused with the earlier spring forecast.
Where were soybean acreage increases expected?
March intentions showed that expected changes varied by state. Compared with 2023, NASS anticipated increases of at least 100,000 soybean acres in:
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Kentucky and New York were expected to reach record soybean acreage, according to the March report. These state-level figures were also intentions, not final planted-area totals.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to read the 2024 numbers
The headline claim is accurate when stated as an intention: in March, farmers planned to plant more soybean acres than in 2023. The later June estimate indicated that soybean planted area was also up 3% year over year, at 86.1 million acres. Corn intentions moved in the opposite direction in March, with planned acreage down 5% to 90.0 million acres.
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For anyone comparing the reports, the key distinction is timing and measure: 86.5 million acres was the March survey estimate of intended soybean plantings; 86.1 million acres was NASS’s June estimate of planted area.
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- ECONOMIC AND NUTRITIONAL: As the most economically important bean globally, soybeans provide essential vegetable protein for millions and are key ingredients in hundreds of chemical products. A 60-pound bushel of our soybeans seed yields about 11 pounds of crude soybean oil and 47 pounds of soybean meal. Beneficial for producing shelf-stable goods for long-term use.
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- Productive - Chiba Green Soybean germinates in 10-14 days when soil temps are 65-75°F. Plant 1” deep and space 4-6” apart in an area with full sun. This variety will grow 1-3’ tall with a spread of 12-16”. Beans will mature in 65-75 days, plant in USDA zones 3-10.
- Good Eats - Harvest when pods are green and enjoy edamame or allow the pods to dry and shell to eat them boiled or steamed.
- Easy to Grow - Instructions included on each packet. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
- Safe and Sustainable - Our operation is fully solar powered, and Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family.
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