Minn. corn, soybean production set records

Minnesota set record highs for corn and soybean production in 2010.

New figures released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wednesday say Minnesota farmers grew an estimated 1.29 billion bushels of corn, up 4 percent from last year's record. The estimated yield is 177 bushels per acre, up three from last year's record.

Minnesota soybean production is estimated at 329 million bushels, up 16 percent from 2009 and breaking the 2006 record of 319 million. Yields averaged 45 bushels per acre, up five from last year.

Minnesota sugarbeet production hit 11.8 million tons, the second-highest on record. Yield is estimated at 26.7 tons per acre, breaking the 2006 record by 1.8 tons.

The USDA lowered its national estimates for corn and soybean production Wednesday, sending prices skyrocketing for both crops.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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