Farmers in the Central Black Earth region are focusing on feed-type grains because wheat yields there are lower and transportation to ports expensive. Corn gives higher yields and has a ready market in livestock operations in the immediate area. In 2012 Russia’s corn harvest was 8 million tons beating the previous record of 7 million tons in 2011. On February 5th governors from the Black Earth region told Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev that the region will be sowing more energy efficient grains like corn and soybeans and corn planting in some areas will double for the 2013-14 season.