Wisconsin Soybean News

Wisconsin Soybean Acreage May Increase

WISCONSIN DELLS –– Soybean acreage in Wisconsin is likely to increase this spring as growers rotate away from corn due to concern over the high cost of fertilizer, seed corn and other crop inputs, according to an informal survey conducted at the 2007 Corn/Soy EXPO Wisconsin Dells.

The random questionnaire distributed at the Corn/Soy EXPO registration desk indicates a majority of growers intend to keep corn acreage constant. However, an estimated 20 percent of respondents indicate they will decrease corn acreage in order to increasing soybean acreage this spring. While growers remain largely optimistic about upcoming crop season, they worry most consistently about skyrocketing costs of inputs and the volatility of corn and soybean prices.

Wisconsin Corn/Soy EXPO ran January 24-25 at the Kalahari Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells and attracted a record crowd of more than 800 individuals. That’s 200 higher than last year’s attendance at the 2-day event and, combined with those attending the Wisconsin Pork Expo and WASA Annual Meeting, brought more than 1,000 people to the joint trade show and Taste of Elegance reception.

Highlight of this year’s Corn/Soy EXPO Wisconsin Dells included presentations by Agricultural Meteorologist Elwynn Taylor, John Phipps, host of U.S. Farm Report and Ken Ferrie, crop consultant for Farm Journal magazine. Other highlights included marketing sessions with Randy Fortenbery, UW Agricultural Economist, Darin Newsom, DTN Senior Analyst and a lunch presentation by Green Bay Packer Radio Announcer Wayne Larrivee.

Annual meetings were held by Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) during Corn/Soy EXPO and special women’s marketing session were hosted by The Stewart-Peterson Group. Next year’s Corn/Soy EXPO is set for Thursday, January 29 through Friday, January, 30 at the Kalahari. For more information, call WSA and WSMB at 608-274-7522; WCGA and WCPB at 262-495-2232.