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Corn, soybean planting behind average pace in South Dakota

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.