What’s Happening With South Dakota Crops?

USDA published the latest Crop Progress report on Monday, Aug. 18. Here’s a closer look at recent weather and the status of South Dakota’s most important crops in mid-August.

Weather

South Dakota has gotten much more moisture than normal lately, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet, but the central part of the state is still in moderate to severe drought. 

In Monday’s Crop Progress report, USDA said farmers had 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork the week that ended Aug. 17, compared to 5.3 days this time last year.

USDA rated South Dakota topsoil moisture 3% very short, 17% short, 64% adequate, and 16% surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions in the state were rated 7% very short, 21% short, 61% adequate, and 11% surplus.

Corn

Acreage Estimates

According to the June 30 Acreage report, South Dakota farmers planted 6.4 million acres of corn in 2025. This is up from 5.9 million acres from the previous year, said USDA.

Pest and Disease Pressure

A map published by the Crop Protection Network shows there are eight positive tar spot cases in South Dakota. These counties have confirmed cases:

• Bon Homme County — reported Aug. 11
• Yankton County — reported Aug. 11
• Clay County — reported Aug. 11
• Minnehaha County — reported Aug. 11
• Lincoln County — reported Aug. 11
• Turner County — reported Aug. 11
• Deuel County — reported Aug. 14
• Grant County — reported Aug. 14

Adam Varenhorst, Philip Rozeboom, Patrick Wagner, and Brad McManus, South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension educators, said in an SDSU Extension article that aphid populations are taking off in some southeastern South Dakota corn fields. The two aphid species that are commonly observed in corn include the corn leaf aphid and the bird cherry oat aphid — and both species can be found on the same corn plant. 

Typically, these populations show up in South Dakota following harvest of small grains and don’t reach large populations or feed enough to cause concern, they said. Although aphid populations can reach high densities in corn, their presence doesn’t indicate guaranteed yield loss. 

Silking Progress

The latest Crop Progress report said 100% of South Dakota’s corn crop has reached the silk growth stage. That is ahead of the five-year average of 97%. 

Corn Dough

USDA reported 71% of South Dakota’s corn crop has reached the corn dough stage. That ahead of the five-year average of 69%. Last year at this time 66% of the state’s corn had reached the dough stage.

Corn Dented

The Crop Progress report said 15% of South Dakota’s corn crop has reached the dent stage. That is ahead with the five-year average of 12%. Last year at this time 8% of the state’s corn had reached the dent growth stage.

Corn Condition

The USDA rated South Dakota corn as 2% very poor, 7% poor, 28% fair, 58% good, and 5% excellent for the week ending Aug. 17.

The 18-state average ratings are 2% very poor, 5% poor, 16% fair, 50% good, and 27% excellent.

Soybeans

Acreage Estimates

The Acreage report published June 30 said South Dakota planted 5.2 million acres of soybeans this year, down from last year’s soybean acreage of 5.45 million acres. 

Blooming Progress

The latest Crop Progress report said 95% of South Dakota soybeans are blooming. That is near the five-year average of 96%.

Soybeans Setting Pods

Sixty-eight percent of South Dakota’s soybeans have set pods, compared to 80% of the five-year average. 

Pest and Disease Pressure

Graig Reicks, Eric Jones, and Philip Rozeboom, SDSU Extension educators, said in an SDSU Extension article that field bindweed is flowering. Field bindweed is one of South Dakota’s most-persistent perennial weeds, and affects Bennett, Bon Homme, Clarke, Lake, Stanley, and Yankton counties.

They said field bindweed can sometimes be mistaken for hedge bindweed and wild buckwheat. Often called Creeping Jenny, one must kill its extensive root system to control the weed, they explained. Mowing doesn’t cut the weed at the soil surface, though shallow tillage can be effective. 

Field bindweed lacks shade tolerance, so growing a thick canopy of a taller species, spreading mulch, or tarping the soil surface are also good control measures.

Soybean Condition

USDA rated South Dakota soybeans 2% very poor, 5% poor, 16% fair, 53% good, and 24% excellent for the week that ended Aug. 17.

The 18-state average rating of 2% very poor, 6% poor, 24% fair, 53% good, and 15% excellent over the same time period.

Spring Wheat

Acreage Estimates

USDA’s Acreage report said South Dakota farmers planted 660,000 acres of spring wheat in 2025, level with last year’s acreage. 

Spring Wheat Harvested

USDA noted 70% of spring wheat has been harvested in South Dakota. This is slightly behind with the five-year average of 76%. Last year at this time 68% of South Dakota spring wheat had been harvested.

Spring Wheat Condition

USDA rated South Dakota spring wheat as 1% very poor, 4% poor, 40% fair, 47% good, and 8% excellent. 

The six-state average rating was 4% very poor, 14% poor, 32% fair, 45% good, and 5% excellent.

Sorghum

Acreage Estimates

The June 30 Acreage report said South Dakota farmers planted 280,000 acres of barley this year, significantly down from 420,000 acres that were planted in 2024. 

Sorghum Headed

Eighty-seven percent of South Dakota’s barley crop has harvested so far this year, which is on track with the five-year average. 

Sorghum Coloring

USDA reported 20% of South Dakota’s sorghum is coloring, compared to 15% this time last year. The five-year average is 21%. 

Sorghum Condition

The Crop Progress report reported South Dakota sorghum condition as 1% very poor, 7% poor, 38% fair, 50% good, and 4% excellent. 

Oats

Acreage Estimates

USDA’s Acreage report said South Dakota farmers planted 300,000 acres of wheat in 2025, up from 270,000 acres from last year.

Oats Harvested

USDA noted 85% of oats have been harvested in South Dakota. This is slightly behind the five-year average of 88% and behind last year’s 90%.

Pasture and Range

USDA rated pasture and range conditions in the state 4% very poor, 17% poor, 32% fair, 37% good, and 10% excellent.

The 48-state average is 11% very poor, 20% poor, 30% fair, 29% good, and 10% excellent.