100% of This Top Corn-Growing State Reported Moisture Stress

The entire state of South Dakota is facing moisture stress, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor published April 17. 

Current Drought Conditions

The latest drought monitor indicated nearly 3% of the state reported extreme drought. The D3 conditions cover portions of Custer, Fall River, and Oglala Lakota counties in the southwest corner of South Dakota. More than 30% of the state reported severe drought. Moderate drought spans more than 56% of South Dakota. Over 10% of the state reported abnormally dry conditions.

The Crop Progress report, published April 14 by USDA, noted statewide topsoil moisture supplies were 28% very short, 44% short, 28% adequate, and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 35% very short, 45% short, 20% adequate, and 0% surplus.

South Dakota Crop Progress

The same USDA report included updates on South Dakota crop progress for the week ending April 13.

Corn

South Dakota farmers have not started planting corn, the report stated. Last year at this time 1% of the state’s corn crop was in the ground. The 2025 Prospective Planting report said South Dakota farmers are expected to plant 6.3 million acres of corn, up from 5.9 million acres in 2024.

Soybeans

Soybean planting has not begun in South Dakota. In March, USDA said farmers in the state are expected to plant 5.1 million acres of the crop this year, down from 5.45 million acres in 2024.

Sorghum

Farmers in South Dakota have not started planting sorghum. USDA said farmers will plant 340,000 acres of the crop this year, down from 420,000 acres in 2024.

Oats

In March, USDA said farmers in the state are expected to plant 290,000 acres of oats this year, up from 270,000 acres in 2024.

South Dakota farmers have planted 35% of the 2025 oat crop. That’s ahead of this time last year when 28% of the crop had been planted. The five-year average is 17%.

Although the oat planting pace is ahead normal, the crop emergence is slightly behind the five-year pace. The week ended April 13, 2% of the state’s crop was out of the ground. Last year at this time 7% of the South Dakota oat crop had emerged. The five-year average is 3%.

Winter Wheat

USDA said South Dakota farmers planted 800,000 acres of winter wheat this season in the 2025 Prospective Plantings report. That’s down from 860,000 acres in 2024.

The week ended April 13, 3% of the state’s winter wheat crop had headed. That’s ahead of last year at this time and the five-year average.

USDA rated South Dakota winter wheat condition 10% very poor, 30% poor, 38% fair, 22% good, and 0% excellent.

Spring Wheat

In March, USDA said South Dakota farmers are expected to plant 660,000 acres of spring wheat in 2025. That’s equal to last year.

The latest Crop Progress report said 27% of the state’s spring wheat had been seeded. Last year at this time, 20% of the crop was in the ground. The five-year average is 16%.

Drought Outlook

The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook map published at the same time shows drought is expected to persist or continue to develop across the state through the end of July.

Additional insights from the High Plains Regional Climate Center are unavailable at this time due to a suspension of federal funding from NOAA through the Department of Commerce.

Drought history

The state, and Missouri River Basin area in general, is no stranger to drought conditions, noted the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). “Prolonged droughts in the 1930s and 1950s substantially affected water supplies, agriculture, energy, transportation of goods, and ecosystems, the site said. In 2012, an intense summertime drought surprised the region. “In 2020–2021, drought affected the same area and was a multi-billion-dollar event that had wide-reaching impacts on the region’s communities, ecosystems, water resources, and agricultural systems,” said the site.