South Dakota corn crop estimate lowered slightly

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The federal Agriculture Department has slightly lowered its corn production forecast for South Dakota.

Officials forecast the crop at just under 503 million bushels, down 1 percent from September and down 23 percent from last year.

South Dakota's soybean crop is now pegged at about 130 million bushels, up 4 percent from last month's estimate but down 14 percent from a year ago.

Sunflower production in the state is expected to be up 2 percent from 2011, but the sorghum crop is forecast to be down 25 percent. Alfalfa hay is down 46 percent and other hay down 35 percent, as drought conditions worsen in the state.