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South Dakota wheat is struggling

The executive director of the South Dakota Wheat Commission says farmers could abandon winter wheat as stands struggle.

Reid Christopherson tells Brownfield the next week will be a critical decision-making time for farmers.

“The major reason why the crop isn’t being abandoned yet is it’s too early to plant what could be next. Corn planting has just started in eastern South Dakota.”

Christopherson also says delayed spring wheat planting is concerning.

“South-central South Dakota, which wouldn’t normally be considered a spring wheat region, but producers say they’re done. In central South Dakota, seeding has been moving slow and in northeastern South Dakota, conditions are still too wet to plant.”

He says many producers indicate planting spring wheat beyond May 1 will cause a yield drag and changes to other crops is expected.