l ast year us farmers enjoyed record sales of soybeans thanks to a bumper harvest and favorable prices in 1998 soybean will produce their second consecutive at 2 83 billion bushels this s crop be nearly 4 percent larger than last but the 99 outlook for marketing has greatly changed farm level are fore cast slide from 1997 98 average 6 45 per bushel 85 5 sea son lowest since 1986 87 greater world supplies weaker demand responsible dramatic market turn about compared with diminished years ago projected global soy bean ending stocks expected twice as high policies promoting planting flexibility which made returns major determinant acreage have helped make sixth higher plant ings comparatively lower grain cot ton pushed plantings spring an all time 72 7 million acres steadily rising yields pro duction costs partly due widespread adoption conservation tillage practices
