Farmers in a pocket of the western corn belt are facing planting delays that aren’t being adequately reflected in the USDA crop progress reports. Above normal spring rains have resulted in ponding and saturated fields in portions of the region, including southeastern South Dakota. Gayville farmer Jim Petrick says he’s only planted a third of his crop so far.
Petrick says he’s missed the optimal planting window for corn and its slowly closing for soybeans as well, which will negatively impact yield.
He’s also facing some agronomic decisions regarding switching to earlier maturing corn or switching corn acres over to soybeans. A lot of that is dependent on this week’s weather.
Petrick is fairly optimistic he’ll get the crop planted and won’t have a prevent plant situation. However, the final crop insurance planting dates are quickly approaching. The deadline for corn in southeast South Dakota is May 31 and its June 10 for soybeans.
