Rollercoaster Of Moisture, Nice-Looking Crops

After a near record-breaking snowfall this past winter, the spring looked a little uncertain for planting. Follow that up with some very dry and hot conditions in the next couple of months, and it seems like the extreme swings would lead to headaches and worry for producers in northeast South Dakota and beyond. Luckily, Mother Nature pulled through again with recent rains and local experts agree that crops are looking pretty promising as we pass the Fourth of July.

According to last week’s South Dakota Crop Progress And Condition Report, across the state, the corn conditions were 4% very poor, 13% poor, 36% fair, 44% good, and 3% excellent. Soybean conditions were rated 2% very poor, 11% poor, 40% fair, 44% good, and 3% excellent. Soybeans blooming was 7%, near 5% for the five-year average. Pasture and range conditions rated 10% very poor, 16% poor, 43% fair, 27% good, and 4% excellent.

Chad Voss of Agtegra in Langford says the spring brought one of the “strangest scenarios” that he’s seen. “We had all that snow, but then it was so dry that you didn’t know what to do,” he commented. Joe Gustafson of Full Circle in Britton agreed. “It’s been a year of extremes. Extreme wet and then extreme dry,” he noted. “It’s been a rollercoaster of moisture since the fall.”

Voss said in his area, most acres were able to be plantwww. ed. Gustafson mentioned that there was some prevent plant acres on corn. Brady Wieker out of Full Circle in Hecla noted “a fair amount went unplanted” in his area.

After the wet spring, low moisture and hot temperatures led to more stressors for the crops. Full Circle Location Manager Casey Erickson in Forman, N.D. added that several weeks ago, things were looking concerning. “We were starting to see heat and drought stress,” he said.

All agreed that the rains in the last couple of weeks have been more than welcome. Voss noted that the Langford and Claremont areas saw anywhere between two and eight inches of rain. “It was sure a blessing. The corn has finally been able to root into the nitrogen part of the soil,” he added.

Wieker said that his area saw three to four inches of rain. “That soaker of a rain we got really got growers hopes up and got producers excited!,” he added. The experts also noted that the milder temperatures have been beneficial. “Crops like the milder weather,” said Voss. “Corn really enjoys temps in about the mid-80s.”

Right now, the experts are pleased with what they and their producers have in the field. “We have some really healthy looking crops,” said Erickson. He also noted that the future looks promising.

“We are seeing higher grower degree unit days, which are days where growing conditions are favorable. With those good days, we are actually ahead of schedule from where we could have been given the lateness of the planting around here.” He added that producers will be considering fungicides for possible white mold on soybeans in the upcoming weeks.

Gustafson agreed that what he is seeing is “average or above average.” He noted that “timely rains” will be just what producers need to stay on track. Erickson concurred, “About a half inch once per week would be great.”

Wieker added, “Another shot of rain in late July or early August could really set us up for a great crop.”