MITCHELL – Timely spring rains got the growing season off to a good start in South Dakota.
This is according to the most recent crop progress report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Statistics Service, which indicated last week that most of the corn and soybeans in South Dakota have been planted and both crops are showing signs of emerging. .
“Progress has been pretty good for this spring,” said David Klingberg, executive director of the Farm Service Agency offices in Hanson and Davison counties. “Most of our corn and most of our soybeans are inside, although there are some exceptions to that rule.”
The USDA Crop Progress Report indicated that 84% of corn in South Dakota had been planted by May 28. This is slightly down from 84% last year, although considerably above the 74% five-year average. Of that corn, 44% had emerged, which is also behind the 54% that had emerged this time last year, but again close to the five-year average of 41%.
In the case of soybeans, the report says that about 58% have been planted throughout the state. That’s well behind the 74% that had been planted this time last year, but also close to the 57% average. About 17% of those soybeans had emerged as of May 28, which is behind both the 29% at this time last year and the 22% five-year average.
About 44% of South Dakota’s corn crop has emerged, like this field in Hutchinson County.
Erik Kaufman / Mitchell Republic
While some of those numbers show progress a little behind last year, it is a general indicator of the increase in moisture the state has received this spring. This has led to good top and subsurface levels and at the same time has filled in some low spots, making it a little slower for some to enter the field.
“Some of the guys who wanted to plant, some of them had to go through wet spots, and now they could flood because of some of the recent rains we’ve had,” Klingberg said. “But so far no one complains about this.”
Soil moisture supplies are currently estimated at approximately 1% very short, 4% short, 81% adequate, and 14% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels are similar, with 1% rated very short, 8% short, 82% adequate, and 9% excess.
That “adequate” spike on the bell curve is a direct result of timely rains this spring. According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, the Mitchell area has more rainfall than last year, and year-to-date rainfall this year has been 3.06 inches compared to 2.76 inches last year.
That extra quarter inch is making a big difference, both in soil and subsoil moisture levels, but also in the drought conditions the state has experienced over the past several years. The most recent map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows virtually no drought conditions remaining in the state, with pockets of abnormally dry conditions in the northwestern and southwestern parts of the state. The driest part of the state, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, is listed as moderate drought and is located in the far northwest of the state in Harding County.
The U.S. Drought Monitor continues to indicate reducing drought conditions in South Dakota.
US Drought Monitor Chart
The rest of the South Dakota map appears white, indicating no drought conditions.
As rains continue to alleviate long-standing drought conditions, most producers are willing to put up with some wet areas in their fields in exchange for good weather and soil conditions this planting season.
“Most of the guys are pretty happy with the result. There is no perfect year, but this is the better side,” Klingberg said.
As growers approach the end of the planting season, their eyes now turn to the sky and the expanded forecast.
Tim Masters, a technician at the National Weather Service office in Sioux Falls, said the forecast calls for slightly drier conditions and colder temperatures over the next two weeks. That should help dry out some fields as the warmer months of July and August approach. As in many previous years, precipitation has been unpredictable depending on location, with a difference of inches often recorded just a mile or two away.
“June is usually pretty good for precipitation, and we don’t really hit the hot, dry areas until August,” Masters said. “It will feel softer and maybe be a little less stressful on the crops after a two-year drought.”
Winds were expected to pick up around midweek this week, with the strongest winds expected to peak around 40 miles per hour on Wednesday.
As summer moves into July and August, Masters estimates there is an equal chance of above- and below-average precipitation, although he expected the long-range forecast to lean more toward average temperatures and precipitation.
“It’s not very hot and not very dry, but we’ll see how it plays out,” Masters said.
Klingberg also noted that some producers were growing rye this spring, which does well in wetter conditions like those producers are experiencing this year.
Timely spring rains have allowed South Dakota farmers to make good progress this planting season. Above, corn in Hutchinson County begins to emerge from the ground this week.
Erik Kaufman / Mitchell Republic
For the most part, Klingberg said most growers are happy with their moisture situation and could now take advantage of a dry spell to plant as many acres as possible while also handling other annual tasks that arise around this time. of the year. year.
Spraying weeds, collecting hay, as well as moving livestock to pasture and performing maintenance tasks such as repairing fences, are tasks that typically arise as planting nears completion. The deadline for producers to report their acres to the Farm Service Agency offices is also approaching, with the deadline set for July 15.
A long summer growing season is ahead, and some dry weather would allow farmers to get ahead and catch up before the hot growing months arrive. After that, the rains will be more than welcome to return.
“If it’s hot, they’ll want moisture sooner rather than later, but right now we’re happy with the moisture we have and could use some time in the field,” Klingberg said.
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