News

South Dakota farmer awaits warmer soil temperatures

A South Dakota farmer would like to see warmer soil temperatures and more rain before planting.  Scott Stahl farms about one thousand acres about an hour west of Sioux Falls. He tells Brownfield, “We did plant our oats last week on Wednesday. Fieldwork is just kind of starting at the precipice right now. We are just starting to see fertilizer getting spread and just some fieldwork getting done, basically waiting for the soil temps to warm up.”

Stahl says the soil temperatures are still in the upper 30s and low 40s.  He says the soil is still dry, even after near-record snowfall, which melted and was absorbed into the ground with very little runoff.  He says last week’s heat and wind left the topsoil dry, so more rain would be welcome. “Hopefully, we can get the moisture needed to raise a good crop this year.”

Stahl is hoping to start planting both corn and soybeans next week.