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South Dakota crops: 63% corn and 62% soybeans rated good to excellent

A farmer in eastern South Dakota says his crops look good.

Todd Hanten says he was able to start planting early, and his crops were ahead of schedule.  “As far as growing degree units, we’re on par for normal,” he says.  “I think if we get the warm weather they’re talking about, we’ll definitely be over knee high and canopied by the 4th of July on our corn.”

As for soybeans, Hanten tells Brownfield, those were planted early.  “That’s always supposed to be really beneficial these days,” he says.  “They look good as well. We just received some rain, so bring on the heat and sunshine, please.”

According to the USDA, corn is rated 63 percent good to excellent, and soybeans are 62 percent good to excellent.  Sunflowers are 90 percent planted. Just 32 percent of the winter wheat crop is rated good to excellent.  Spring wheat is 52 percent headed, and 52 percent rated good to excellent. Thirty-six percent of pastures are rated good to excellent.