Corn yields booming in Minnesota but suffering in other states - KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

MINNESOTA (KTTC) -- Minnesota's corn crop is booming--new estimates for corn yields this fall are 6% higher than last year. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is forecasting that Minnesota's corn crop will be better than last year.

It's projected that the state will yield 155 bushels per acre.

That's compared to the national average of 123.4, which is down significantly from last year.

The nation's corn harvest might be the lowest average yield since 1995, as the drought continues to take its toll in Iowa, Illinois, and other hard-hit states.

Soybean production is now forecast at 2.69 billion bushels, a 12% decline from last year.

Beans forecast to be down 3% in Minnesota.

For the entire U.S., it's the worst we've seen in 56 years for rainfall and crops.

However, parts of Minnesota have had a decent amount of rain.

"There was one person who does business with us and he was talking about how he may have the best bean crop he's ever had. So you're talking about the worst bean crop for south of us and the best bean crop... so that's quite a difference in between," said Steve Sturm, a grain merchandiser for All American Co-op in Stewartville.

The price of corn ranges from $5.50 to more than $8 a bushel.