Last week’s heavy rains, flooding and tornadoes will have more of an effect on winter wheat planting in South Dakota than on spring wheat harvest. That’s according to South Dakota Wheat Commission Executive Director Reid Christopherson. He says most of the spring wheat harvest is wrapped up except for the northernmost counties.

He says most of the winter wheat planting takes place in South Dakota from September 15 to October 15. Christopherson says one of the challenges will be getting into the fields in time to get that winter wheat seeding done.

Christopherson traveled from the western part of South Dakota last Thursday night to Sioux Falls. He says he saw a lot of water in the fields, especially in the Plankinton, Mount Vernon, Mitchell and Madison areas.

Christopherson says spring wheat yields, have ranged from 60 to 80 bushels an acre with some spotty areas of scab showing up.