According to the USDA’s Soybean Estimate Report for Minnesota and Iowa, Faribault County led all Minnesota counties in total soybean production in 2022 with 11.1 million bushels.
Polk – 11.0 million, Redwood – 10.6 million, Renville – 10.5 million and Martin – 10.3 million rounded out the top 5 counties with the highest production. Statewide, fifteen counties averaged at least 60.0 bushels per acre.
Steele County had the highest yield with an average of 63.0 bushels per acre. Blue Earth – 62.5, Martin – 62.4, Winona – 62.2 and Olmsted – 62.0 rounded out the top five highest yielding counties. Aitkin County recorded the lowest average yield at 27.7 bushels per acre.
In Iowa, the USDA says that Kossuth County led all counties in soybean production with 12.9 million bushels produced. Pottawattamie, Benton, Sioux and Woodbury rounded out the top five counties with the highest production.
Forty nine of Iowa’s counties averaged at least 60.0 bushels per acre. Scott County had the highest yield with an average of 69.1 bushels per acre. Dubuque, Delaware, Cedar and Des Moines rounded out the top five highest yielding counties. Decatur County recorded the lowest average yield at 37.9 bushels per acre.
Yields are calculated by dividing a county’s production by its area harvested. Only published estimates were considered in rankings of counties.