Much of the region received some timely and much needed rains during the last few days, including a storm that passed through Tuesday afternoon and evening. That storm dropped rain on South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Northeast Nebraska, and Minnesota. Rainfall amounts varied from one-tenth up to four inches. South Dakota State University Extension Agronomist, Sara Bauder says the recent rains will surely benefit the crops, although she isn’t certain if the rain amounts will be enough to sustain crop development through the critical pollination period. Strong winds were also common with Tuesday’s storm that swept across the region. Bauder says there may some instances where corn, and more likely small grain crops like oats and wheat may be flatten due to the storm. Bauder says if the wheat and oats are still green and haven’t yet shown signs of ripening, then those crops have a better chance to recover from the strong winds.
