5 Most Productive Agricultural Regions in the US

3. Lake States (including Minnesota and Wisconsin)

Cumulative Agricultural Output: 97.4 million tons 

In Minnesota, a part of the Lake States region, farming primarily revolves around corn and soybeans. According to the USDA, Minnesota’s farmers harvested approximately 1.46 billion bushels of corn from 7.49 million acres and nearly 369.5 million bushels of soybeans from 7.45 million acres in 2023.

Minnesota is also notable for its production of spring wheat (excluding durum), with a harvest of approximately 73.81 million bushels. The state’s agricultural diversity is further evident in its significant production of hay and haylage, including alfalfa, totaling millions of tons.

Moreover, Minnesota plays a vital role in the production of potatoes, with a harvest of about 19.15 million hundredweight and sweet corn, which holds significance in both processing and fresh markets. Additionally, Wisconsin’s primary crops include corn, soybeans, and potatoes. In the 2022 crop year, Wisconsin produced 545 million bushels of corn and 116 million bushels of soybeans.