PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Auctions of public land leases were held across much of South Dakota during April.

School & Public Lands Commissioner Brock Greenfield says it was a busy month.

Greenfield says they don’t have the total auction returns yet, but did see bids go up.

Greenfield says many of the land leases stayed in the same families.

His office is responsible for maintaining over seven hundred thousand acres of public land, mostly west river. The money from the leases goes into the school permanent fund.

Greenfield was elected to the office last November.