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Spring wheat off to slow start in South Dakota as moisture concerns grow

The general manager of Oahe Grain Corporation in central South Dakota says it’s been a slow, weather-challenged start to the growing season.

Kevin Kjorsvik says when it comes to the spring wheat…

“It’s definitely a moisture issue now, seeing how much that it has to keep growing, so there’s some doubts where in certain areas where there’s if there’s enough for to get it off to a good start.”

USDA says South Dakota’s spring wheat is 87 percent planted, ahead of average, with half the crop emerged.

Kjorsvik says the winter wheat is hit-or-miss when it comes to quality, with recent freezes and cool nights causing stress to the crops.

“Initially it was looking pretty good, but with the lack of moisture in these cold nights, it’s really set back. I would say, you know, probably one-third of the crop still looks in really good condition. Hopefully with some, at least some warmer temps here, it can get growing again and kind of get out of this.”

He says some farmers south of Onida might abandon winter wheat and plant something else, but he says the wheat in the area should be ok if there’s more rain.

USDA says South Dakota’s winter wheat is seven percent heading, ahead of the average with conditions rated 36 percent good to excellent.