This week’s crop report shows planting of small grains in South Dakota continues to lag behind the average pace. The USDA says that 12 percent of the spring wheat is seeded behind the five year average of 63 percent. Last year at this time, 83 percent of the crop was planted. South Dakota Wheat Commission Executive Director Reid Christopherson says this year is vastly different from last year as far as weather and planting goes.

He says the deadlines are fast approaching for spring wheat planting and whether or not growers will have to change over to an alternative crop.

Christopherson says if growers can get good drying weather, then they can advance rapidly with their seeding given the advanced technology and equipment they have at their disposal.

Christopherson says given the lateness of the planting progress, it appears as if they’re will be less spring wheat seeded than last year, probably less than a million acres.