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Rain in South Dakota would push germination

With little or no precipitation across South Dakota this past week, small grain conditions have decreased slightly, but the dry weather allowed for row crop planting preparations.

It was cooler, even below freezing at times, but still well above average for early April. Soil temperatures cooled slightly, ranging from 45 degrees to 57degrees. Topsoil moisture is 42 percent adequate to surplus. Subsoil moisture is 52 percent adequate to surplus.

Planting of row crops will pick up soon; two percent of the corn is planted. Farmers had hoped for rain to help germinate small grains and the soon to be planted row crops. Winter wheat needs moisture. Conditions declined last week with 48 percent in good to excellent condition; compared to 52 percent in good to excellent condition the week before.