MARSHALL, Minn. (AP) - China's purchase of more than $6.6 billion in U.S. soybeans is a boon for Minnesota, one of the largest soybean producing states.

Soybean farmer Jim Call says it's a "huge deal" for Minnesota, which exported an estimated $900 million in soybeans to China last year.

As chairman of the United Soybean Board's international marketing committee, Call was on hand when a Chinese trade delegation visited with Gov. Mark Dayton, agricultural officials and lawmakers in St. Paul recently.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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