News

SD crops doing ok as June begins

In its latest Crop Progress and Conditions Report, USDA says the winter wheat in South Dakota is rated 28% good to excellent as almost half of the crop is heading. Spring wheat conditions are rated 56% good to excellent.

Chuck Todd, who farms near Onida, has winter wheat and says a rain would be welcome.

“The spring wheat is burning down and the hills are really dry. The winter wheat is in a little better shape, because it’s further ahead. There are some fields that will make harvest and others that won’t.”

As of June 5, 84% of South Dakota’s corn is emerged, with a 65% good to excellent condition rating. USDA says 63% of soybeans are emerged with conditions rated 60% good to excellent. Sunflowers and sorghum are getting planted quickly, at 41% and 78% planted, respectively.

Adam Schindler from Reliance tells Brownfield the crops at his farm are doing well.

“Milo and sunflowers are geared for the warmer climate, but we’d take some rain if we could get it.”

USDA says South Dakota’s pasture and condition ratings improved slightly with conditions rated 37% good to excellent.