Minn. corn harvest forecast improves

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has bumped up Minnesota's corn harvest a bushel an acre in its latest forecast, putting Minnesota at the top among big corn producing states.

The agency's September estimate says despite drought conditions in parts of the state, Minnesota farmers should see a corn yield of 156 bushels an acre. That's the same as last year when drought also damaged the crop.

If the forecast comes true, Minnesota should have the best yield among the major corn-producing states. Just to the south, Iowa farmers are expecting a state wide yield of only 140 bushels an acre. Minnesota's soybean yield is forecast at 38 bushels an acre, down a half bushel from last year.