Planting season in South Dakota is off to a bit of a slow start for the state’s two biggest crops.
The USDA’s latest field crop reports showed around 32% of the state’s corn is planted. The five-year average for this point in the season is 40%.
About 17% of the soybean crop is planted, below the average of 22%.
However, small grain planting is generally ahead of schedule. About 88% the spring crop is in the ground, ahead of the average of 73%. The USDA said 84% of the oat crop and 22% of the sorghum crop are planted - both ahead of the five-year average pace.
Overall soil moisture levels are also good across the state. The report said 82% of topsoil has adequate moisture, 6% is short while 12% has a surplus.