Drought Hurt Wis. Corn, But Minn. Harvest Strong

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Corn production is down by double-digit percentages in Wisconsin and other Midwestern states, but Minnesota is one of the few states where this year's corn harvest has improved.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says most corn farmers saw their yield per acre decrease, mainly because of a persistent summer drought that devastated crops. For example, Wisconsin is expected to produce about 431 million bushels this year, down 17 percent from last year.

But in Minnesota, the output is expected to be 1.4 billion bushels, a 15 percent increase.

Doug Hartwig is the director for the USDA's statistical field office in Minnesota. He says his state received timely rains that helped offset the effects of the drought. He says corn farmers also planted on more acres and had a better yield.

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