Dakotas producing good-size soybean, wheat crops

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Farmers in the Dakotas are expected to produce sizable wheat crops and record soybean crops this year, thanks largely to a growing season free of major problems.

The latest report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, released this week, estimates South Dakota’s soybean crop will be up 7 percent from last year to 196 million bushels and North Dakota’s soybean crop up 37 percent to 190 million bushels. The increase comes at the expense of corn production, which is expected to drop 5 percent in South Dakota and 9 percent in North Dakota.