South Dakota farmer discusses crop success

By Scout Nelson

As the 2024 harvest wrapped up, a South Dakota farmer reflected on his crop yields with a sense of accomplishment. “It’s been good,” he noted, from his home between Bridgewater and Salem, South Dakota. Despite challenges with moisture, he was pleased with the results overall, especially with the corn yield.

Soybeans, however, faced a bit of a struggle. While his soybean crop was about average, late summer drought conditions affected yields. The farmer explained that while early-season rains boosted crop potential, prolonged dry spells in August impacted soybean development.

“We started off with cold, wet conditions in the spring, which transitioned into favorable planting weather. May and June brought heavy rains, causing some issues with flooding,” he explained. “But around mid-August, rainfall ceased, affecting soybean development during critical growth stages.” This variation in weather conditions, from heavy rain to late-season drought, ultimately impacted his soybean crop yield.

For his soybeans, the saying “August rain makes the crop” proved accurate. “The August rainfall saved us from extremely low yields,” he said. Despite challenges, the use of 15-inch narrow-row planting helped maintain yield potential.

This strategy, which he adopted after consultations with his agronomist, encourages faster emergence and early canopy formation. By reducing weed competition, narrow rows help optimize moisture retention, potentially allowing for fewer herbicide applications.

Corn, on the other hand, fared much better. Although initial wet conditions in the spring were concerning, the farmer was optimistic about the overall corn yield for 2024. Corn was less impacted by the late drought, providing a positive outcome for his farm’s balance sheet.

Looking to the future, he is also participating in the Corteva Young Leader Program. He values the connections he’s made with other leaders in the program, which he hopes to maintain for years to come.

This season illustrated how diverse weather impacts can affect different crops, reaffirming the value of effective planning and adaptable crop strategies.

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