ONLINE REPORTER

LSU Agricultural Center has determined the crop yield for soybeans in Louisiana is significantly lower than in recent years.

Soybeans are consumed all over the world. It is primarily used in animal feed and for soybean oil, which is used in many food items as well is biodiesel fuel. They are exported and used locally.

In the past few years hurricanes have caused slightly below average yields for soybeans, but this year a severe drought significantly reduced the yield. Most areas of southern and central Louisiana didn’t receive any rain for the whole month of June.

“There was no rain for up to six weeks in some areas,” Louisiana Soybean Specialist Dr. Ronnie Levy said.

Asian soybean rust has not had much of an impact on the crop yield. The incidence is low in Louisiana at this time.

Crops in northern Louisiana are irrigated and will be less affected. Other states that received rain will have yields slightly below their averages.

“Yields in other states won’t be quite as good as they normally are,” Levy said.

Money lost from the low yield will affect producers the most as it affects the price of input costs for the crops. The low soybean yield will not have a significant affect on the price of food.

“The production in Louisiana does not have a significant impact on the price of soybeans in the country,” Levy said. “But as acres of soybean crops increase Louisiana is becoming a bigger player.”