Final estimates confirm that Minnesota farmers produced less corn and soybeans in 2011 than 2010. Thursday’s US Department of Agriculture report estimates Minnesota corn production at 1.2 billion bushels, down 2% from November’s forecast and down 7% from a record 2010. The estimated yield of 156 bushels per acre is down 21 bushels from a record 2010, when the weather was just about perfect. Minnesota soybean production is estimated at 270 million bushels, down 4% from November and down 18% from 2010′s record. The estimated yield of 38.5 bushels per acre is down 6.5 from 2010. Spring wheat production dropped 19% and sugarbeet production fell 24% as well. While the weather was challenging in 2011, prices were strong so most producers still had a good year.