SIOUX FALLS - A big increase in acreage and better yields are expected to produce a bumper winter wheat crop in South Dakota this year.

The Agricultural Statistics Service predicts production at 79 million bushels, a 91 percent increase over last year.

The state's farmers have increased their wheat acreage by nearly one-third. Favorable weather so far indicates higher yields of around 44 bushels per acre.

The Agricultural Statistics Service expects 1.8 million acres of winter wheat to be harvested, equaling the record-high acreage from 1986.