There’s general agreement about a big shift in the national acreage mix in Friday’s USDA Prospective Plantings Report, but much less agreement on the amount. For months now the agency and private firms have been predicting from three to five million more acres of soybeans and from two more than four million less corn acres. However, Illinois farmer and American Soybean Association President Ron Moore says he doesn’t think the swing will be that large.

The corn soybean price ratio and the crop insurance revenue guarantees both favor soybeans right now and soybean prices have outpaced corn for several months now. However, Corning, Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser says that isn’t influencing their decision, as much as sound agronomics.

South Dakota Corn Growers Association President Troy Knecht, who farms near Houghton, says with record corn yields in the state last year there will be farmers that will stick with corn.

USDA has been predicting around 46 million acres of wheat for 2017, which would be the lowest level since 1919. However, National Association of Wheat Growers President and Kansas grower David Schemm says that number could be even lower if spring wheat areas of the Dakotas continue to see a wet spring.

He says wheat prices are $2 to $3 below break even right now which has wheat producers switching to other more profitable options like corn and soybeans.