USDAS report shows South Dakota farmers produced record corn, soybean crops in 2009

South Dakota corn, soybeans set records in 2009

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota’s 2009 corn and soybean crops have officially set records.

The U.S. Agriculture Department in its annual crop production report says the state’s corn crop totaled 719.1 million bushels, up 23 percent from 2008, and the soybean crop was just under 176 million bushels, up 27 percent.

Estimates were up slightly from the November forecast, when officials first said record crops were likely.

The report released Tuesday says South Dakota hay and grain sorghum production both were down slightly over the year, while sunflower production was down 4 percent.