ANKENY — Despite weathering one of the driest growing seasons on record, Iowa soybean farmers continue to lead the nation in soybean production. 

Today’s U. S. Department of Agriculture’s crop production report offered final numbers for the 2012 crop. Iowa soybean farmers led the nation with an estimated 413.8 million bushels produced last year. Per-acre soybean production in Iowa for 2012 totaled 44.5 bushels, down from last year’s total of 51.5 bushels, but still strengthening from November’s call for 44 bushels per acre. 

“These yields truly are a testament to Iowa soybean farmers,” said Mark Jackson, Iowa Soybean Association president, in response to the report. “After going through this year’s dry weather, our yields were down less than 5 percent from a normal year and that should bode well for our customers’ confidence. It shows our farmers can continue to meet their needs, no matter what Mother Nature brings our way.”