By Scout Nelson
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has projected a banner year for agricultural production in South Dakota. The state is poised to witness a significant upsurge in its crop yields, particularly in corn, soybeans, and sorghum.
Corn production is expected to reach a remarkable 850 million bushels, marking a 28% increase from the previous year. Doug Sombke, President of the South Dakota Farmers Union, highlights a potential downside. He notes that higher yields can lead to lower market prices for farmers, even impacting the premiums from ethanol plants.
Soybean production also shows a positive trend with a 15% increase from last year, expected to yield around 44 bushels per acre. farmers, acknowledges the USDA's positive forecast but points out the variability in conditions across the state. While some areas suffered from drought, timely rains in other regions contributed significantly to this year's productivity.
An often-overlooked grain, sorghum, has seen a rise in popularity among South Dakota producers. The USDA reports a nearly 50% increase in sorghum harvest acreage compared to 2022. Alverson attributes this growth to sorghum's resilience in drought conditions, making it an attractive alternative to corn, especially in the central parts of the state more prone to drought.
Sorghum production has grown by over 70% since last year, with a forecast of 80 bushels per acre. This remarkable increase in sorghum, along with the substantial growth in corn and soybean yields, underscores South Dakota's robust agricultural sector and its adaptability to varying climatic conditions.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: South Dakota, General