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SDSU specialist says cold weather is causing planting problems

South Dakota crop producers are facing delayed planting issues as the result of a slow spring warm-up and wet fields from recent rains and snowstorms.

SDSU Extension Crops Specialist Bob Hall said only about half of the normal spring grain crop was seeded as on Monday, April 28, 2008.

That means the optimal time for planting spring grains has just passed, Hall said. The latest suggested seeding dates for small grains in the South Dakota Agricultural Reporting Service reporting districts are as follows: Northwest, North Central and Northeast regions – May 22; West Central, Central, and East Central regions – May 15; and the Southwest, South Central, and Southeastern regions – May 10.

Hall added that the latest desired times for planting corn, grain sorghum, soybean, and sunflower in the state are as follows:

Corn planting dates: Northwest, North Central and Northeast regions – June 5; West Central, Central, and East Central regions – June 6; and the Southwest, South Central, and Southeastern regions – June 8.

Grain Sorghum planting dates: Northwest, North Central and Northeast regions – June 19; West Central, Central, and East Central regions – June 16; and the Southwest, South Central, and Southeastern regions – June 17.

Soybean planting dates: Northwest, North Central and Northeast regions – June 9; West Central, Central, and East Central regions – June 15; and the Southwest, South Central, and Southeastern regions – June 27.

Sunflower planting dates: Northwest, North Central and Northeast regions – June 20; West Central, Central, and East Central regions – June 22; and the Southwest, South Central, and Southeastern regions – June 25.

Hall suggested growers spend down time making sure their planting equipment is working properly. “The yield penalty for poor field stands this year may be greater do to the cool and delayed planting season,” he said.