The National Agricultural Statistics Service predicts that soybean production in Kentucky will be up 10 percent this year over last year.
But Edmonson County farmer Andy Alford says his 700 acres of soybeans aren’t likely to meet that predicted record-breaking crop this year, mostly because of heavy spring rains that delayed planting.
Alford says although the weather differs somewhat in regions across the state, he thinks the predictions of 50 bushels per acre are too high.
“I would tend to disagree with that number with what I know right now," said Alford. "I just don’t think the state can get that. If you factor in all the late planted beans, I think they’re going to pull the state soybean yields down.”
Soybeans are the largest crop in Kentucky in terms of acreage.
"We planted more acres than usual in beans and I've talked to several other producers who have done the same," said Alford. "But I'm not sure that the late beans can produce enough bushels to make up for how late they are and the lack of yield they're going to have to actually make it a record crop.
The economic impact of Kentucky’s soybean crop in 2014 was $1.1 billion.
In addition to being used for animal feed, soybeans are used for industrial oil and biodiesel, as well as food products such as tofu, soy milk, cooking oils and salad dressing.