Mixed results for Michigan soybean crop

By EDITH ZHOU
Capital News Service
LANSING – Like corn and apples, Michigan’s soybeans have been hit hard by the drought and extreme hot weather. “We are facing a 20 to 30 percent reduction of soybeans altogether compared to normal years,” said Tim Boring, research director of the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee in Frankenmuth. According to figures from the committee, Michigan ranks 12th among nation’s 31 soybean-producing states. Nearly 2 million acres are planted annually in Michigan. The economic impact of soybean farming in 2011 was approximately $1.25 billion.