South Dakota farmers are on pace to see a solid increase in both corn and soybean yields, while sorghum producers may see a record crop.
The latest USDA crop production report shows most of the state's major crops are expected to increase in both total yield and bushels-per-acre.
Statewide corn production is forecast to hit 822 million bushels, up 24% from last year. Total area to be harvested is 5.59 million acres, up 12% from 2022.
Soybean production is set to increase 13% to 217 million bushels. Harvest area is down slightly at just over five million acres.
The boost in production of both major crops is largely aided by increased efficiency. Corn's bushel-per-acre yield is expected to be up 11%, while soybean's yield is forecast to increase 13%.
But the biggest winner from the report is sorghum. The USDA forecasts sorghum production to surpass 23 million bushels. That’s nearly double from last year, and would be a record high for the state. The expected yield of 91 bushels-per-acre would also be a record.
The only major crop forecast to see a decline is sunflower. Production is expected to end up at 789 million pounds, down 27% from last year.
