Winter wheat harvest is wrapping up in South Dakota and with spring wheat harvest more than a third done producers are reporting much better results than 2017. Reid Christopherson, South Dakota Wheat Commission Executive Director says outside of the areas impacted by hail the winter wheat yield reports have been above last year, especially in the Onida, Eagle Butte and Presho areas. Plus, quality reports have been very favorable, with proteins from 11 to 14-percent.
Acreage for winter wheat will be up in South Dakota from 2017, but Christopherson says still half of what wheat acreage was as recently as four years ago.
Spring wheat acreage will see the same type of higher trend on acreage at about 1 million acres. Christopherson says production will also be up with the early yield results well above 2017.
Farmers are also seeing better prices as the harvest progresses due to global production cuts in major growing areas. This has improved prices for all classes of wheat and provided a better marketing opportunity for farmers, who are now back at break even levels.
