The stressful 2013 growing season has farmers pondering significant changes to crop rotations next spring, according to Farm Futures first survey of 2014 planting intentions. Results were re-leased Tuesday morning, on the opening day of the 2013 Farm Progress Show, the nation’s largest outdoor farm show, held Aug. 27, 28 and 29 in Decatur, Ill.

2014 Soybean and wheat acres forecasted up
Producers said they want to boost soybean and wheat acreage next year, cutting back on corn. The Farm Futures survey, traditionally the first in the industry to project new crop seedings, showed 2014 soybean acreage could hit 78.75 million acres, up 2% from this year. Wheat planting, which will begin soon, could rise a similar percentage, increasing to 57.76 million acres.

After planting – or trying to plant – the most corn in 60 years this spring, farmers surveyed reported they wish to cut back on acreage for 2014, putting in 94.11 million, down 3.4% from recent estimate of this year’s commitment. Actual acreage of all crops remains uncertain due to adverse spring conditions that prevented growers from putting in 7.7 million acres this year, according to preliminary figures released by USDA’s Farm Service Agency.

Farmers increased soybean plantings in many parts of the U.S. in recent years, a trend that may continue in 2014. “Some growers want to cut back on corn to improve rotations, after years of pushing that crop,” said Farm Futures Senior Editor Bryce Knorr, who conducted the survey of more than 1,350 growers July 22 to Aug. 5. “And we’re continuing to see farmers switch to soybeans on the fringes of the traditional Midwest growing region.”

Price signals from 2013 futures contracts are one lure towards soybeans. The ratio of November 2013 soy-bean futures to December 2013 corn hit an unusually strong 2.77:1 recently, indicating the market was much more concerned about tight soybean supplies hurt by the unusual combination of weather adversities this growing season.

Farm Futures survey asked farmers