Demand for more corn following corn
Across the Midwest, an increase is expected in the number of acres planted to corn over previous years because of the demand for grain from several markets, including livestock and ethanol. In addition to these market-driven factors, is the uncertainty surrounding soybean production, including possible increased management costs for disease protection. The effectiveness of a corn-soybean rotation in controlling corn rootworm also has been reduced, lessening the incentive to rotate crops. In Iowa, producers have generally planted a corn-soybean rotation. Corn and soybean acres started to trend differently in 2001 (see Figure 1), as the gap between them began widening in favor of corn.. In 2006, the ratio of corn to soybean was 55:45, with nearly 13 million acres of corn. Although corn yields continue to increase 1¾ bushels per acre per year nationwide (see Figure 2), this increase will not come close to meeting the future demands for grain. The only way to meet the demand is to increase acreage devoted to corn production. The increase in corn acres will almost entirely come from a reduction in soybean acreage.
Figure 1. Corn and soybean acres for Iowa (1975-2006).
(National Agricultural Statistics Service [NASS])
Figure 2. United States corn grain yields (1900-2005).
(National Agricultural Statistics Service [NASS])
Portions of this text, written by Lori Abendroth and Roger Elmore, originally appeared in the Integrated Crop Management extension newsletter on page 2 of the IC-498(1) - February 5, 2007 issue.
