News

Most South Dakota crops benefited from rains

Nearly three-quarters of South Dakota’s crops are getting needed rain, but there are still several dry areas.  USDA’s Erik Gerlach reports the state’s topsoil moisture levels are 7% very short, 26% short, 60% adequate, and 7% surplus.  Subsoil moisture ratings show the state still needs rain to recharge the soil profile, with 10% very short, 33% short, 52% adequate, and just 5% surplus.

Most corn is doing well with 12% rated excellent, 49% good, 30% fair, and 7% poor.  Thirty-five percent of the corn is silking, ahead of the 23% average for this time of year. 

Eleven percent of soybeans are setting pods, with 7% of the crop rated excellent, 50% good, 35% fair, and 7% poor.

The winter wheat harvest is 22% finished, with only 5% of the crop reported as excellent.  Twenty-one percent of the wheat is good, 37% fair, 20% poor, and 17% very poor.

The spring wheat condition is nearly the same, with 4% excellent, 26% good, 39% fair, 20% poor, and 11% very poor.  Just 2% of the spring wheat has been harvested.

Forty-two percent of the oats are rated good with 33% fair and 14% poor.

Most sorghum is doing well, with 52% of the crop good, 34% excellent, and 34% fair.  Thirty-two percent of the sorghum has headed.

Sunflowers are reported as 43% good, 46% fair, and 7% poor.

Pastures and rangeland could use rain, as USDA reporters say 44% of the pastures are good, compared to 28% fair, 13% poor, and 7% very poor.