South Dakota farmers are planting into dry soil conditions, with the entire state in moderate to extreme drought as of April 1. Recent moisture has helped, but subsoil conditions remain concerning, with 83% of South Dakota, 66% of North Dakota, and 49% of Minnesota reporting short or very short moisture. South Dakota farmers have planted 15% of expected oats acreage and 9% of spring wheat, ahead of average. Minnesota and North Dakota planting progress remains slower, as is typical. South Dakota State Climatologist Laura Edwards notes April is a critical month that typically brings significant precipitation. However, long-range forecasts suggest dry conditions may return for the June-August growing season across the northern Plains. At Jorgensen Land and Cattle in Ideal, SD, conditions are drier than during the 2012 drought. Bryan Jorgensen reports zero subsoil moisture and emerging winter wheat that hadn’t germinated in fall. In White, SD, farmer Chris Berndt calls current conditions “the driest we’ve ever been going into spring.” Approximately 39% of U.S. corn acres, 33% of soybean acres, and 39% of spring wheat acres are experiencing drought conditions.
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