Change in Agricultural Production in the U.S. & Canada from the 1950’s to the Present
Graham Mattison
Research Project
Geog. 317 - U.S. & Canada
12/03/07
Change in Agricultural Production in the U.S. & Canada from the 1950’s to the Present The soybean’s rise to agricultural prominence in the U.S. & Canada actually began prior to 1950, during the period of the World War II. Prior to the events of World War II, soybean production had been centered on the areas of China and Manchuria, what is present day Northeastern China. During World War II the price of all commodities worldwide skyrocketed. The most important factor in the soybean’s early rise to prominence was the shortage of fats and oils that was created by World War II and the need for renewable domestic alternatives. Although it was originally feared that after World War II the demand for the soybean would drop dramatically, these fears proved to be unfounded. In fact, not only did production and demand for the soybean remain, but also with the virtual disappearance of soybean production in the major soybean-producing region of Manchuria, demand and subsequent production of the soybean actually increased -substantially. According to the census of agriculture in 1954 the production of soybeans for all purposes between the years of 1949 and 1954 saw a net increase of 5,977,383 acres, or 48.7 percent. Between 1949 and 1954 the major centers for soybean production in the U.S. were in the Midwest or Heartland region. The majority of soybeans produced in this region were produced in areas of southern Minnesota, East central Illinois, Northwestern Ohio and the Mississippi river valley areas of Southeastern Missouri and North Eastern Arkansas. Canadian Soybean production totals, although increasing during this time, are far less impressive than the production totals of the United States. In fact, by comparison it might be questionable whether or not they are even worth mentioning. According to 1950 census data, in 1949 U.S. soybean production of soybean plants 212,439,834 bushels. By
Research Project
Geog. 317 - U.S. & Canada
12/03/07
Change in Agricultural Production in the U.S. & Canada from the 1950’s to the Present The soybean’s rise to agricultural prominence in the U.S. & Canada actually began prior to 1950, during the period of the World War II. Prior to the events of World War II, soybean production had been centered on the areas of China and Manchuria, what is present day Northeastern China. During World War II the price of all commodities worldwide skyrocketed. The most important factor in the soybean’s early rise to prominence was the shortage of fats and oils that was created by World War II and the need for renewable domestic alternatives. Although it was originally feared that after World War II the demand for the soybean would drop dramatically, these fears proved to be unfounded. In fact, not only did production and demand for the soybean remain, but also with the virtual disappearance of soybean production in the major soybean-producing region of Manchuria, demand and subsequent production of the soybean actually increased -substantially. According to the census of agriculture in 1954 the production of soybeans for all purposes between the years of 1949 and 1954 saw a net increase of 5,977,383 acres, or 48.7 percent. Between 1949 and 1954 the major centers for soybean production in the U.S. were in the Midwest or Heartland region. The majority of soybeans produced in this region were produced in areas of southern Minnesota, East central Illinois, Northwestern Ohio and the Mississippi river valley areas of Southeastern Missouri and North Eastern Arkansas. Canadian Soybean production totals, although increasing during this time, are far less impressive than the production totals of the United States. In fact, by comparison it might be questionable whether or not they are even worth mentioning. According to 1950 census data, in 1949 U.S. soybean production of soybean plants 212,439,834 bushels. By
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