South Dakota Reports Strong Progress in Crop Planting

By Scout Nelson

According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota’s crop progress is ahead of schedule despite challenging moisture conditions. For the week ending April 27, 2025, there were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated at 25% very short, 40% short, 34% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture was worse, with 34% rated very short, 44% short, 22% adequate, and no surplus reported. These conditions may affect crop development in the coming weeks.

Corn planting reached 23% completion, significantly ahead of 12% this time last year and well above the five-year average of 7%. Soybeans were 6% planted, compared to 3% last year and a 2% average.

Winter wheat crop condition remained mixed. USDA rated it as 11% very poor, 22% poor, 50% fair, and 17% good, with no fields rated as excellent.

Spring wheat planting made significant progress, with 79% planted—far ahead of 59% last year and 44% average. About 25% of the spring wheat has emerged, also ahead of 9% last year and 12% average.

Oats planting stood at 72%, compared to 58% last year and 46% for the five-year average. Emergence for oats was 21%, which is close to last year’s 22% and above the average of 14%.

Sorghum planting lagged slightly at 3%, falling behind last year’s 11% but equal to the five-year average.

While soil moisture remains a concern, the overall pace of planting suggests that South Dakota farmers are making the most of the suitable weather windows early in the season.

Photo Credit:north-dakota-state-university