Forecasters say Missouri farmers could harvest record crops of corn, soybeans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Missouri farmers are on track to harvest record crops of corn and soybeans.

In an updated forecast Tuesday, the agency predicted Missouri's corn production this year will total 533 million bushels — the highest on record for the state and a 22 percent increase from last year.

Yields are now forecast at 160 bushels of corn per acre. The USDA said that would be the highest since 2004, when Missouri producers averaged 162 bushels per acre.

The soybean forecast now predicts a harvest of 249 million bushels in Missouri, which the agency says would also be a record for the state. The soybean yield is forecast at 44 bushels per acre, which would be the second highest on record for Missouri.