ST. PAUL, Minn. — In 2021, Stearns County remained the largest oat-producing county in Minnesota at 350,000 bushels, according to estimates released Dec. 9 by the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fillmore, at 317,000 bushels, was second, followed by Winona at 229,000. 

The highest yielding county was Nicollet with a yield of 100.2 bushels per acre, followed by Lyon with 89.4. Mower had the greatest increase in yield from 2020, increasing 14.3 bushels per acre. Aitkin had the lowest yield, at 26.9 bushels per acre. Morrison had the next lowest yield at 27.1, followed by Pine at 28.9 bushels per acre. Swift had the largest decrease in yield falling 45.1 bushels. 

Yields are derived from production divided by area harvested. Only published estimates were considered in rankings of counties.

— USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service