Soybeans

What changes have occurred in this scene? How productive is this central part of Illinois?

Answers:

• dairy farming (large barn and silo in the left-hand background) has been replaced by cash crops, such as soybeans
• fences for livestock are no longer needed and are being rolled up!
• very productive--black soils with long growing seasons and sufficient moisture -- this is the bread basket of the U.S.

Created by Ingolf Vogeler 30 April 1996; last revised on 07 Mar 2005.