South Dakota farmers started out the 2020 growing season with high hopes for the soybean crop but are finding mixed results this harvest season. Tim Ostrem farms in the Centerville area and says the early yields in his fields have been variable.

He says the soybean plants are loaded with pods and to start off August he anticipated record yields. However, with the lack of moisture to finish off the crop the seeds are very small.

USDA’s Crop Progress Report pegged soybean harvest in the state on September 27 at 29%, which is well ahead of the 13% five-year average. Ostrem says they have rarely started soybean harvest this early but the weather is pushing the pace.

Ostrem says he’s still pleased with the yields for his farm, especially as dry as August was, and the prices have improved enough to help make up for some of the lost yield potential