South Dakota farmers are close to wrapping up their winter wheat planting. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported on Monday that 88 percent of the winter wheat was seeded. South Dakota Wheat Commission Executive Director Reid Christopherson says planting has progressed well and should be done in just a few days.

He says what growers need now is rain to help prop up those wheat stands prior to them going into dormancy.

Christopherson says producers have been able to plant some new winter wheat varieties.

Christopherson says there’s been little disease problems this year and producers are working to make sure any of those mites don’t over winter and cause problems next spring. He says they’re also working to make sure volunteer grasses don’t pop up to cause problems.