Illinois has claimed the title of top soybean-producing state for the second year in a row, according to USDA estimates.

The Jan. 12 USDA Crop Production Report estimates Illinois farmers raised 547.7 million bushels of soybeans in 2014 on 9.8 million harvested acres with an average yield of 56 bushels per acre. Iowa ranked second in terms of total production with 505.7 million bushels raised on 9.8 million acres and an average yield of 51.5 bushels per acre. In 2013, Illinois produced 474 million bushels.

Bill Raben, Soybean Farmer from Ridgway, Ill and ISA chairman says that while good weather played major role in the good palnting year, management practices also played a part.

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) represents more than 45,000 soybean farmers in Illinois through the state soybean checkoff and membership efforts. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and profitability research, promotion, issues management and analysis, communications and education. Membership and advocacy efforts support Illinois soybean farmer interests in local areas, Springfield and Washington, D.C. ISA programs are designed to ensure Illinois soy is the highest quality and the most dependable, sustainable and competitive in the global marketplace. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.