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Organic farmland up on the year

A new report says organic farmland acres in the U.S. increased by nearly three percent from last year.

Ag economist Ryan Koory with Mercaris tells Brownfield the largest growth areas for organic acres are in the Midwest and East Coast near livestock production.  “With the increase in farms, we’re seeing pretty much an increase in all crop acres, but particularly with soybean acres.”

He says organic soybean acres are up seven percent on the year while organic wheat acres have not been increasing at the same pace as other commodities, most likely because farmers are rotating this year with pulse crops.  “It appears that farmers are putting more small grains and things like lentils and peas and pulses in their planting mix.  Essentially what that looks like to us is crop rotation.”

Koory says they’re estimating 6.5 million organic crop acres will be harvested this season, up two percent.

Mercaris is market intelligence provider and online trading platform for organic, non-GMO and certified commodities.

AUDIO: Interview with Ryan Koory

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