Zhang: U.S. production influences global ag practices

Wendong Zhang, associate professor, was interviewed for a Sept. 4 Iowa Farmer Today story, "U.S. production influences global ag practices."

Nearly one of every four rows of soybeans planted in Iowa is destined to end up exported to China.

That figure comes from Wendong Zhang, a global economics analyst from Iowa State University, and illustrates just how crucial the relationship between U.S. agriculture and other countries is.

In fact, Zhang said, China has altered its own agricultural landscape due to American production.

“Their limited land acres are mainly reserved for wheat and rice — their staple food crops,” Zhang said. “They have gradually moved away from soybeans and other feed grains to buy from the international market.”