South Dakota growers are expected to plant more of the traditional crops this year. The latest USDA survey shows a transition from winter and spring crops to corn and soybeans.
Erik Gerlach is the state statistician for the National Agricultural Statistics Service. He says most of the projected plantings this year falls in line with past data.
“In terms of all the commodities, except soybeans, the producers in South Dakota have gone back to ‘normal’ acreages.”
Corn growers intend to plant 5.6 million acres this year. That’s up 13 percent from 2020.
Soybean producers expect to plant 5.7 million acres, up 15 percent from last year. Gerlach says that could be a record if no big weather events happen.
Despite drought conditions, weather officials say planting conditions are favorable.
Laura Edwards is the state climatologist.
“We’re about as dry as we’ve seen in a number of years, especially the eastern side of the state. That’s had so much flooding the last few years. I anticipate a lot of those acres of corn and soybeans can get planted this year of areas that have been under water.”
The USDA projects South Dakota growers to plant fewer acres of wheat, oat and barley for the year.