South Dakota’s soybean crop projected to be a record

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota farmers this year are expected to harvest a record soybean crop.

The Agriculture Department says the crop is forecast at 238 million bushels, up 1 percent from last year. The 5.17 million acres for harvest is a record, and the yield of 46 bushels per acre would tie last year’s record.

South Dakota’s corn crop is projected to be down 6 percent, to 755 million bushels.

Sorghum and alfalfa hay production in the state both are forecast to be down 9 percent from 2015. Sunflower production is pegged at 906 million pounds, down 26 percent from a year ago.