Soybeans struggle after the rains

The Queensland soybean industry fears it could lose momentum in key production areas after the wet summer.

The national crop forecast is now around 40,000 tonnes, which is down 24,000 tonnes on last year's production.

In Queensland, production has fallen by 10,000 tonnes to 6,370.

Wide Bay area manager for Bean Growers Australia, Judy Plath, says the bad season could turn contractors away.

"It could mean that they are harder to get hold of next year or they might sell off gear, so it does slow things down," she said.

"And certainly, in terms of soybeans being an important part of a cane rotation, a lot of growers have missed out on having that legume in their system, which improves their following cane crop."

(Source: http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201102/s3145233.htm)