Almost One-Third of Winter Wheat in This State Rated Very Poor/Poor

As of Nov. 10, 29% of South Dakota’s winter wheat crop was reported to be in very poor/poor condition. That’s according to USDA’s most recent Crop Progress report. Here’s a closer look at the numbers.

Progress and Condition

In its Crop Progress report released Tuesday, USDA rated South Dakota’s winter wheat condition 3% very poor, 26% poor, 43% fair, 24% good, and 4% excellent for the week ending Nov. 10.

Although the overall winter wheat condition across the 18 top growing states has improved steadily in recent weeks, the crop’s condition in South Dakota has only grown worse. For the week ending Nov. 3, USDA rated the state’s winter wheat 3% very poor, 20% poor, 42% fair, 31% good, and 4% excellent. For the week ending Oct. 27, conditions were even better: 3% very poor, 13% poor, 40% fair, 40% good, and 4% excellent. 

As of the latest Crop Progress report, 100% of South Dakota’s winter wheat had been planted, up two percentage points for the week. Planting is on track with last year at this time and the five-year average. 

On the other hand, wheat emergence is lagging behind historical trends. Emergence reached 75% by Nov. 10, significantly down compared to the 90% five-year average and 92% last year at this time. Also, emergence increased only five points during the week ending Nov. 10.

Drought Conditions Impacting Soil Moisture

A drought map published Nov. 14 by the U.S. Drought Monitor showed that over half the state is facing D2 severe drought conditions, and almost 11% is covered by D3 extreme drought conditions. D1 moderate drought spans 36% of the state, and none of the state is just abnormally dry.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, South Dakota has seen steady-to-increasing levels of D3 extreme drought since August. The entire state has been at least abnormally dry since the beginning of October.

Extensive drought has taken a toll on soil moisture supplies. In Tuesday’s Crop Progress report, USDA rated South Dakota topsoil moisture 32% very short, 45% short, 23% adequate, and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 29% very short, 43% short, 28% adequate, and 0% surplus.