Minnesota Sees Rise in Sugar Beet Crops; Wisconsin Potato Production Up

Minnesota Has Record Year for Sugar Beet Crops

MINNEAPOLIS-Minnesota farmers produced slightly smaller corn and soybean crops last year than in 2016, but they produced a record sugar beet crop.

The Agriculture Department reports Minnesota’s sugar beet crop at 12.5 million tons, up slightly from the previous record in 2016. Farmers harvested fewer acres but had a record average yield.

Soybean production in the state was down 2 percent and grain corn production was down 4 percent. Alfalfa hay and other hay production also was down, along with sunflowers and corn for silage.

Wisconsin farmers produced smaller corn and soybean crops last year than in 2016, while potato production was up slightly.

The Agriculture Department reports that the state’s soybean production was down 6 percent and grain corn production was down 11 percent. Alfalfa hay production was down 19 percent.

Potato production was up 5 percent, corn for silage production was up slightly and other hay production was up 24 percent.