South Dakota produces 2nd largest corn crop

According to today’s crop production report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota farmers produced the second largest corn crop in the state’s history totaling 653.4 million bushels. That number is up one percent from projections in November’s report and up 15 percent from the previous year. Extreme weather conditions led to a lower than projected average yield of 132 bushels per acres, down three from 2010. However harvested acres were up 17 percent from 2010.

“Despite the challenges of the wet spring and dry summer, South Dakota producers raised a significant crop that will continue to meet our demands for food, feed and fuel,” said South Dakota Corn Utilization Council President, Chad Blindauer. “Advancements in seed biotechnology and other farming practices will continue to allow our growers to prevail in the future when faced with adverse weather conditions.”