12/31/2012 Despite drought, corn yields high for some farmers By The Associated Press PIERRE (AP) -- Despite the severe drought, some South Dakota farmers who entered an annual contest had some of the highest corn yields in history this past year. The contest is for members of the National Corn Growers Association. The South Dakota Corn Growers Association reports that Steve Breding of Chamberlain recorded the state's highest yield in 2012 by raising more than 279 bushels per acre in one of his fields. That's the fourth-highest yield ever recorded on irrigated land using no-till or strip-till farming practices. On non-irrigated land, Ronald Johnson of Alcester produced more than 271 bushels per acre, fifth highest all time in that category.

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