This week’s USDA crop progress report shows 73 percent of South Dakota’s spring wheat has been planted. South Dakota Wheat Commission Executive Director Reid Christopherson says the planting pace is actually a little bit ahead of last year. He says the number of spring wheat acres planted this year is expected to match last 2014.  

However, South Dakota’s winter wheat was hurt by lack of snow cover this winter and much of the crop has been damaged by winterkill.

Christopherson says the weekly USDA report indicates South Dakota’s winter wheat is in 75 percent fair condition or less.