The Results of Planting Flexibility

FarmDocDaily has an interesting graph comparing the 2007-2011 average planted acreages of program crops with their acreage base acreages (which would be based on historical plantings from way back). In sum, soybeans and corn have increased their planted acreage while cotton, wheat, rice, and  barley have decreased.  Back in the 1920's one farm might have grown most of the program crops, but over the years they became more specialized.  Now because corn and soybeans feed animals, and rich people, including rich Chinese, like to eat meat the whole farm economy is focused on those two crops.