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Abstract
U.S. soybean production has increased rapidly and now ranks as the number two value crop. Much of the growth has come from foreign trade, but the United States faces increasing competition in the world markets for beans, meal, and oil. Soybean meal and oil also face strong competition from other high-protein feed sources and highly substitutable fats and oils in the edible oil market. Soybeans are a relatively new cash crop in the United States and have shifted to new production areas, being free of any acreage or production restrictions. Although soybeans are relatively free from direct Government programs, production levels are affected by other agricultural programs. Soybeans are supported by a loan rate which, in most years, has been below prices received by farmers. Issues for 1985 legislation will probably center on the determination of the support level and trade issues.